The Seattle model Ithaca may use to shatter drug-jail cycle

http://ithacavoice.com/2015/05/the-seattle-model-ithaca-may-use-to-shatter-drug-jail-cycle

Jeff Stein

The Ithaca Voice

22 May 2015

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The law often traps offenders in a cycle of lawbreaking. LEAD allows for drug users to become committed to a program that helps them through the quitting process instead of throwing them into prison and isolating them from the help they need.

The Rewards of Renewal

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/16/the-rewards-of-renewal

David Bornstein

The New York Times

16 June 2011

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Poor neighborhoods in the United States lack quality play spaces for children, also known as play deserts. An organization is enabling communities across the nation to build their own playground.

Camcorders For Justice

http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/features/anonymous/camcorders-justice

James Scudamore

Intelligent Life

1 January 2014

Text / Over 3000 Words

In India, videos made about the many social problems are secretly broadcasted in different villages to make people aware of the real problem and also aware of what they can do to fix it. Video Volunteers, an organization that coordinates these video productions, catalyzes community change through transparency and accountability.

Crime and blight still remain

http://www.fayobserver.com/article/20140222/News/302229724

Greg Barnes

Fayetteville Observer

22 February 2014

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Civic leaders in the U.S. struggle to effectively help their distressed neighborhoods. East Lake, Atlanta, created a replicable model that mixes residents of differing socio-economic status, and focuses on education and health in the area.

Dealing with blight complaints requires new approach, Memphis says

http://www.fayobserver.com/a9f5d553-c59b-5643-9b12-55aca76dde64.html

Greg Barnes

Fayetteville Observer

22 February 2014

Text / Under 800 Words

In Memphis, a creative blight-reduction initiative called 25 Square Blocks broke down the city into blocks. Inspectors were able to quickly identify all the violations and fix them, using the same amount of funding, but less time, as the old call-and-respond model.

Education in Indian Country: Obstacles and Opportunity

http://www.edweek.org/ew/projects/2013/native-american-education/running-in-place.html

Lesli A. Maxwell

Megan Garner

Swikar Patel

Education Week

4 December 2013

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Native American student graduation rates are much lower than that of any other demographic. The Red Cloud school teaches students on a reservation in South Dakota about the Lakota history to empower the kids and encourage resilience.

For Teenage Smokers, Removing the Allure of the Pack

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/for-teenage-smokers-removing-the-allure-of-the-pack

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

1 August 2012

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Adolescent smoking remains a challenging health problem because of the allure of cigarette branding. Australia is piloting the transformation of cigarette packaging with a generic look that reduces the appeal of smoking. In Florida, the Truth campaign has exposed that cigarette companies targeted teenage consumers and, in response, created a set of new advertisements that presented the cigarette industry with transparency.

Where All Work Is Created Equal

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/where-all-work-is-created-equal

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

15 September 2011

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Countries all over the world are creating community, diversifying relationships, and giving a purpose to people who felt useless through time banks, where people swap their services using time as the currency.

On Gay Rights, Moving Real-Life Friends to Action

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/on-gay-rights-moving-real-life-friends-to-action

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

7 July 2011

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The ability of social media and online civic participation to impact law and politics is still developing, but one social media tool - Friendfactor - was used successfully in New York to help bring about the passage of Gay Marriage Equality. It may be an indicator for how powerful platforms like this one will continue to play a role in societal growth and change.

On the Web, a Revolution in Giving

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/on-the-web-a-revolution-in-giving

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

31 March 2011

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New crowdfunding options can help even the smallest donor's contributions to have a meaningful impact, bolstering a sense of personal involvement, maximizing knowledge about causes, and inspiring greater participation.