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'Take what you need—leave what you can' — Stark Co. woman sets up anonymous food pantries for those in need

Courtney Gousman

June 17, 2021 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Stark County, Ohio

“Take what you need—leave what you can" is the motto etched on the 16 anonymous “Blessing Boxes” set up around Stark County. The wooden cabinets are stocked with non-perishable food, household items, and personal hygiene items. People can access the boxes whenever they need to and can take as much as they would like. The boxes are made and re-stocked several times a week by volunteers. One of the boxes sits outside a local elementary school, not only provided needed supplies to students and their families, but students have also taken responsibility for helping to keep it filled.

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From $1-Million Lotteries to Free Beer: Do COVID Vaccination Incentives Work?

Tanya Lewis

June 17, 2021 |

Scientific American |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Several states are offering incentives to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Ohio’s Vax-a-Million program was one of the first state-based cash lotteries, awarding five residents over 18 a $1-million prize and five full college scholarships to residents ages 12-17. Vaccination rates jumped 28% in the first week of the program. Other states have looked to boost vaccination rates by offering creative incentives in addition to cash lotteries, including prepaid grocery and subway cards, tickets to local attractions, hunting rifles, free beer, and even cannabis joints in Washington state.

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When get-out-the-vote becomes get-out-the-vaccine

Hannah Grabenstein

June 17, 2021 |

MLK50 |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Memphis, Tennessee

The Shelby County Voter Alliance, who was used to using publicly available information to run get-out-the-vote and voter registration drives, pivoted to door-knocking to increase vaccination rates. Using a grant from Civic Nation’s Made to Save initiative, SCVA went to people’s homes to answer questions about vaccines and let them know about community vaccination pop-ups. They worked with local churches and set up at a Juneteenth celebration, where vaccines were offered. While canvassing, volunteers use a “research-based script” from Made to Save that especially helps them talk with “hesitant people.”

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‘Safety First' Drug Education Program Acknowledges the Failings of ‘Just Say No'

Roshan Abraham

June 17, 2021 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Studies show that abstinence-based prevention drug programs like D.A.R.E don't work. To provide another option, the Drug Policy Alliance, a non-profit, developed its own curriculum called “Safety First.” The 15-lesson curriculum was piloted in five schools under the San Francisco Unified School District.

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India's healthcare workers are busting misinformation on WhatsApp

Sanket Jain

June 17, 2021 |

The Verge |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India

Accredited social health activists (ASHA) across India fight COVID-19 related misinformation on WhatsApp. ASHAs provide basic health care to people in their villages, which puts them on the frontline of treating COVID-19 patients and educating people to dispel the many myths about the virus and its treatments. ASHAs' local interactions often identify prevailing myths, which they quickly dispel in their face-to-face exchanges and by posting in the many local WhatsApp groups that have been created. The local groups have been an effective mode of educating people and helped ASHAs gain villagers’ trust.

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How some college counselors are fighting back against pandemic-induced enrollment decline

Charlotte West

June 16, 2021 |

CalMatters |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Riverside, California

Riverside County launched College Comeback to address the COVID-19 related decline in graduating high school students going to college. Six counselors each spend 25 hours a week reaching out to the high school class of 2020 and holding one-on-one appointments to help students navigate application deadlines, financial aid, and California Dream Act forms, as well as provide information about technical programs and military service. Counselors’ stipends come from money previously allotted for travel, and since they are also trained mental health professionals, counselors provide emotional support as well.

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Michigan's free tuition program is showing early success

Aaron Parseghian

June 14, 2021 |

WXMI-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Michigan

A new initiative in Michigan is helping locals over the age of 25 attending community college free of charge. The Reconnect program helps those who have yet to complete a post-secondary degree by covering all the costs of either starting or finishing community college degrees. So far, the program has helped enroll over 70,000 people in the state.

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Wichita couple overcomes drug addiction, creates organization for teens

Hunter Funk

June 12, 2021 |

KSNW-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Wichita, Kansas

Rise Up for Youth is a program built into some Wichita schools that works to keep teenagers out of gangs and helps them focus on positive changes in their community. There are two programs — one for males called the Brotherhood and one for females called Sisterhood – which encourage teens to keep busy and find activities that give them a natural high. Participants visit prisons, talk with police and people coming out of incarceration, and make college visits. Since the program started, 100% of student participants have graduated from high school and many have gone on to college and have successful careers.

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Drug testing takes off in the Laurentians — even dealers are doing it

Christopher Curtis

June 11, 2021 |

Ricochet |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, St-Jérôme, Quebec

To reduce overdose deaths from the increasing number of deadly substances found in street drugs, Centre SIDA Amitié uses lab testing to help understand exactly what drugs users are putting in their bodies and how to slow the spread of deadly drugs. They distribute testing kits to hundreds of people every year, analyze urine samples, have handed out 12,189 naloxone doses, and trained over 1,000 people to administer the drug. Staff works directly with clients in communities that don’t have access to many resources, also helping them navigate court proceedings, find housing, and get into rehab if interested.

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Minnesota Repurposes Transit Buses to Give COVID-19 Vaccines to Communities That Need Them Most

Henry Pan

June 10, 2021 |

Next City |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

With extra buses available due to lower ridership during the pandemic, Metro Transit worked with key partners to turn six buses into mobile vaccination clinics. Metro Transit provided drivers and retrofitted the buses by removing seats, relocating stanchions, and ensuring buses could draw power from electrical outlets. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota provided staff and licensed clinicians to administer the vaccines. The health department provided funding that made it all come together. The buses prioritized areas with gaps in vaccine access, including low-income areas and communities of color.

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