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Training For A Better Life

Quinn O'Callaghan

October 11, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Narbeth, Pennsylvania

Overwhelmingly, individuals who have been incarcerated will spend the rest of their lives dragging in-and-out of prison, with few resources to help break the cycle and get them back on their feet. But one program called "New Leash on Life" stands out for helping dramatically slash recidivism rates for inmates in Pennsylvania prisons by teaching inmates to train and care for formerly "un-adoptable" rescue dogs, building empathy, job skills, and giving both human and dog a second chance at life.

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Hemp Farmers Face Rocky Road in Diversifying Eastern Kentucky's Economy

Rachel Cramer

October 06, 2017 |

West Virginia Public Broadcasting |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Pikeville, Kentucky

Appalachia, a region put on the map due to coal mining, is now facing a time of declining coal mining jobs. As this persists, however, there is slowly growing movement to turn to hemp farming as a way to bring both jobs and money back into Eastern Kentucky. Although much is still unknown about the future of this crop, it's still standing as a beacon of hope for the community as a means to helping both the people and the region in their fight for increased economic stability.

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From Norway, Pennsylvania's prisons appear cruel and unusual

Samantha Melamed

October 04, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Thirty years ago, Norway’s recidivism rate was more than 60 percent. Then the country put rehabilitation at the core of its corrections system, training prison guards to act more like social workers than punishers. Recidivism fell dramatically. The country of 5.2 million now has just 3,900 prisoners. Norwegian delegates are meeting with officials in Pennsylvania to share their insights.

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Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Two Generations at a Time

Dwyer Gunn

October 04, 2017 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Career Advance, and the Warren Village, are two anti-poverty programs built on the “two-generation model,” which “focuses on providing coordinated, high-quality services to both children and their parents under the umbrella of one program.” Prior efforts only focused on children. The approach seems to be a successful study. The Career Advance program found that sixty-one percent of participants earned a post-secondary credential after one year in the program, compared to just 3 percent of those in the control group.”

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Manufacturing in Massachusetts: : Teaching a Younger Workforce New Skills

Frank Dutan

October 02, 2017 |

The GroundTruth Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Springfield, Massachusetts

Despite heavy pressure, attending college is not for everyone, and a university degree no longer guarantees job placement; meanwhile industries like manufacturing are facing a decline in interested, qualified workers. Various initiatives in Massachusetts are implementing accessible job training programs, especially for minorities, that are helping to place people in manufacturing jobs that provide improved economic opportunity, while hopefully positioning the state for burst of industrial growth.

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He stole a $1 lemonade, smoked pot - then nearly had to die in prison

Samantha Melamed

September 27, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a compassionate release law for inmates who are terminally ill so they don't die in prison, but in practice it has become even more difficult for inmates and their families to take advantage of it. The number of elderly prisoners in the state has soared. Advocates recommend prisoners get an automatic compassionate release when they receive a terminal diagnosis so the family is not burdened with trying to figure out the complex process and paperwork.

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This Isn't Just Another Urban Farm—It's a Food Bank

Sammi-Jo Lee

September 26, 2017 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

In the United States, one in seven people are food insecure, and in Tucson, the number is even higher. Food banks increasingly find that their roles are not simply to distribute food, but to create sustainable change through "food literacy" - which is exactly how organizations like the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona are tackling the issue. They establish urban farms that not only provide the needy with fresh, local produce, but create a classroom for students, green areas for families to enjoy, and event space for the community to gather and learn.

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Green movement pivots toward minorities

Elizabeth Miller

September 26, 2017 |

Great Lakes Today |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

The largely homogenous demographic of those working in conservation contributes to disparities in representation, which in turn can lead to issues like the Flint water crises. Now several organizations, including the Alliance for the Great Lakes in Cleveland and the Environmental Fellows program at the University of Michigan, are working to include the diverse voices of different races, ages, and backgrounds in the conversation.

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Wichita Art Project Brings Fresh Look at the River

Josh Cohen

September 25, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Wichita, Kansas

While the passage of the Arkansas River through downtown Wichita is a natural place for activity, it took attractions to get people to come. The ArkArt project developed art installations along the river beautifying the location and providing a hook to drive pedestrian traffic.

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The Latest Trend in Reducing Recidivism: Keeping Mothers and Children Together

Rebecca Beitsch

September 19, 2017 |

Governing |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Most states and cities don’t permits mothers who give birth in prison to stay with their children. However, scattered across the country are programs like ReMerge, a program in Oklahoma City that allows mother and children to stay together, and avoid prison time. Programs like these are working, and yield lower recidivism rates.

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