Reproductive justice organization shifts culture in a new film

Once regarded as the region in Sao Paulo with the highest number of COVID-19 deaths, Brasilandia residents mobilized their community to create a volunteer solidarity network that encouraged people to stay at home. The effort started with just a handful of participants but grew to over 200 volunteers with each new addition joining an action plan team that utilized a different form of campaigning, such as music or art. Since the implementation of the network Brasilandia "went from 1st to 2nd highest number of COVID-19 related deaths in the city."

Ad campaigns that provide personal testimonials, relatable narratives, and captivating images succeed in stemming epidemics of addiction among teenagers. The Truth Initiative’s anti-smoking campaign has helped to dramatically reduce teenage smoking during recent decades by creating ads that targeted teens with compelling messages. Now, the Truth Initiative is including anti-opioid messaging in its campaign.

Minneapolis’ Twin Cities Black Film Festival highlights the work of black actors and filmmakers for the last sixteen years. It also helps grow the next generation of filmmakers through workshops as well as helping to expand the audience for film by offering subsidized transportation to screenings.

The Live6 area is home to a robust cultural and creative community. And with an increase in development, there's opportunity for artists and institutions to tap into that energy to spur growth.

It's often difficult for the disadvantaged portion of the population to find meaningful and rewarding work. The start-up ArtLifting takes pieces created by homeless and disabled people, finds buyers and shares the proceeds with the artists.

North Carolina has expanded a network of peer-run mental health programs, including peer cafes, respite houses, and support hotlines, staffed by people with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges. These spaces offer free activities, crisis support, and community connection as alternatives to clinical settings. Research found that peer programs reduce emergency department visits by more than 40% over a three year span.

The Dallas County deflection program diverts low-level, non-violent offenders (many experiencing homelessness and mental illness) away from jail and toward voluntary mental health, substance abuse, and stabilization services. The program served 918 people last fiscal year and started a newer eight-bed pilot that connected 11 clients with services in its first month of operation.

Multiple Native American tribal nations are incorporating traditional sweat lodge ceremonies into substance use disorder treatment programs. Participants attend sweat lodge sessions, either as part of court-ordered programs or voluntarily, where they engage in culturally relevant, spiritual practices. Many of the court-ordered clients consistently choose to return to sweat lodges beyond their required attendance, sometimes even preferring them to traditional AA/NA meetings.

California nonprofits are stepping up to provide young people with arts education opportunities in light of the lack of arts funding and programming at schools. In Seaside, the multicultural organization Palenke Arts offers classes in a variety of dance, visual arts, and a Spanish book club that are accessible to many ages.

Philly HEALs is a free bereavement support program for people who have lost a loved one to a fatal overdose. The program offers grief counseling and peer support groups for families, teens and children, allowing them a safe space to talk about their experiences and find community among others who can relate.