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Bankers say PPP loans saved 40,000 jobs in New Hampshire

Patrick O'Grady

April 25, 2020 |

New Hampshire Business Review |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

The Paycheck Protection Program, a program launched by the federal government to help small businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic, has helped the community in New Hampshire save about 40,000 jobs. Although not all small businesses are keen to take the loan because of the strict stipulations that must be met for it to be forgivable, overall, 7,400 loans have been approved so far.

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Portugal's answer to the heroin crisis

Aubrey Whelan

April 22, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Portugal, Lisbon

When faced with an opioid crisis, the government in Portugual made a drastic decision to decriminalize drug use. This shift in policy allowed for a shift in perspective – addiction problems could now be treated as a public health issue, rather than a criminal issue. This approach resulted in a significant decrease in overdoses, and is now a model that U.S. cities, such as Philadelphia, are looking at to learn from.

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Daring to Be Different in Czechia

Lucie Fialova

April 11, 2020 |

Transitions Online |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Czech Republic, Trmice, Bohemia

In some regions of Czechia, “one in 10 children fails to advance to the next grade.” Every year 2,000 students drop out. One school in the town of Trmice doesn’t have this problem. The school has low dropout rates and the number of students going on to university keeps growing. Their model of empathy, understanding, avoiding punishment, and establishing deep-rooted relationships with families and students is working. “To react with understanding.” “Trmice’s success depends on two things: good communication with families and work with the teaching staff.”

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Prisons' Use of Solitary Confinement Explodes with the COVID-19 Pandemic, While Advocates Push for Alternatives

Jean Casella, Katie Rose Quandt

April 10, 2020 |

Solitary Watch |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Louisiana

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues on, prisons are having to figure out ways to keep it from spreading across inmate populations. A popular response has been cell lockdowns, drawing criticism from advocacy organizations and judges across the country. Being compared to solitary confinement, which takes extreme physical and mental tolls on individuals, groups like Amend, the Vera Institute, and the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture are offering alternative plans that are less punitive while still protecting those experiencing incarceration.

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Texas group empowers Latino parents to advocate for children with disabilities

Miranda Cyr

April 08, 2020 |

Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Austin, Texas

A nonprofit organization in Texas is helping Hispanic and immigrant families navigate "a complicated health system for children with disabilities" by providing access to resources and support. Offering resources such as educational toolkits and classes, while also helping to create a sense of community for parents who are similarly struggling with the healthcare system, the program known as VELA operates on a six-week program schedule, and regularly graduates 100 families in each cycle.

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A New Tactic To Fight Coronavirus: Send The Homeless From Jails To Hotels

Abbie Vansickle

April 06, 2020 |

The Marshall Project |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

California’s governor signed an executive order allocating $50 million to lease hotel rooms for those experiencing homelessness after being released from prison as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. While the hotel business is at a standstill, it provides shelter and the needed self-isolation to one of the most vulnerable populations. So far, 7,000 hotel rooms have been reserved for these individuals.

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Local banks step up in the fight to keep Covid-19 economic calamity at bay

Larry Platt

April 03, 2020 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Throughout the economic crash of 2008, banks were "vilified" for their response, but as the economy again teeters on crashing during the coronavirus pandemic, regulators have been able to be proactive in their approach. While several banks are making financial contributions to philanthropies, and public health efforts or creating relief funds, others have agreed to temporary forbearance on certain types of loans which enables "local business owners and workers to defer payments without penalty to the end of their loan terms."

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The law of generosity combatting coronavirus in Pakistan

Aysha Imtiaz

April 01, 2020 |

BBC |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Pakistan, Karachi

In Pakistan, where many citizens earn a daily wage from street businesses that have now been forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pakistanis are continuing to contribute zakat, "the traditional Muslim charity tax." The contributions – regarded as "one of the most important religious duties for Muslims" – are used to create packages containing basic grocery items and anti-bacterial soap for the daily-wage workers.

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As pandemic spreads, nonprofit is on a mission to clear out Twin Cities jails, one bail bond at a time

Andy Mannix

March 27, 2020 |

Minneapolis Star Tribune |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Minnesota Freedom Fund has ramped up its spending to pay bail for people with low-level charges. The COVID-19 threat has added urgency to this increasingly popular response to the cash bail system. With jails and prisons posing a great threat to inmates during a pandemic, there have been increased calls to release non-violent inmates to slow the spread and protect those experiencing incarceration.

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Revive: A fatal overdose, a stunning coincidence, and a mother's long quest to heal.

Max Blau

March 26, 2020 |

The Atavist Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Miami, Florida

A mother's grief and a doctor's determination led to the first syringe-exchange center in Florida – a significant first step in increasing conversation around the merits of harm reduction policies. Since opening, the center has "collected 360,000 dirty syringes, provided medical treatment to 1,200 people, and helped 200 patients detox," while also reversing 1,450 overdoses, which has prompted five other counties to lift their syringe-exchange bans.

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