Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 626 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Firefighter jobs difficult to find for women fire crew after prison

Catie Cheshire Sinead Hickey Miles Green

January 12, 2021 |

Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Arizona

Arizona's Inmate Wildfire Program trains incarcerated people to fight wildfires, paying them low prison wages to provide a critically needed service as wildfires grow more common. Members of the only all-female crew, from Perryville Prison, tell of their pride of accomplishment in doing a dangerous job, and of the rehabilitative benefits of the program. They also describe their frustrations when regulations often bar them from using their skills after release from prison.

Read More
Go to Original Story
CASA program uses volunteers to advocate for kids

Cheryl Splain

January 04, 2021 |

Knox Pages |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mount Vernon, Ohio

In 55 Ohio counties, judges can appoint volunteers from Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs to represent the interests of children when their families' struggles end up in court. CASA volunteers act as a judge's eyes and ears in the lives of children who are suspected of being victims of abuse or neglect, or who at least need a more stable home. They recommend placement options and treatment services. Such programs can save counties money, by replacing paid lawyers serving as guardians, and volunteers can be more attentive to children's needs.

Read More
Go to Original Story
A Unique Alliance Could Help Warn Us of Toxic Algae

Sara Harrison

December 23, 2020 |

Wired |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington

A unique partnership between scientists, state agencies, and coastal communities in Washington state allows these different entities to monitor and manage toxic algal blooms. Known as the Olympic Region Harmful Algal Blooms Partnership, the initiative allows them to take water samples and analyze them for domoic acid, which is a deadly neurotoxin produced by algae. This collaboration allows fishers from tribal communities to know if it’s safe to harvest seafood and state officials to warn people when it becomes unsafe.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Are 'villages' the future of elder care?

Deanna Dewberry

December 21, 2020 |

WHEC-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Since 2002, aging neighbors in Boston have been creating networks, known as villages, of supportive services that allow them to remain in their homes rather than leave to live in a senior center or nursing home. Now, there are 350 villages throughout the U.S., including one in Buffalo, NY known as Canopy. Staffed with volunteers, the program has not always been the most financially viable, but it has grown to serve senior citizens in seven zip codes.

Read More
Go to Original Story
'It was a godsend': New Minnesota hiring program helps care homes hit hard by COVID-19

Chris Serres

December 18, 2020 |

Minneapolis Star Tribune |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

After facing staffing shortages during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Human Services developed an aggressive emergency hiring initiative ahead of potential new outbreaks. Using third-party staffing agencies and encouraging applicants from all backgrounds – like those recently unemployed from the service industry – the initiative has "provided rapid relief to dozens of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, group homes, homeless shelters and substance abuse treatment centers."

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a refugee-run factory is helping the Netherlands meet its need for face masks

Michal van der Toorn

December 11, 2020 |

The Local |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Netherlands, Arnhem

Rather than import masks from elsewhere, an organization in the Netherlands set up a face-mask factory, and then hired "people with a refugee background to make surgical face masks." According to the project spokesperson, "The project not only responded to the deficit of masks in Dutch healthcare, but also provides people with a refugee background with work experience and knowledge about the labour market in the Netherlands."

Read More
Go to Original Story
Kibera ropes project keeps children out of mischief, supplements families' income

Zeddy Odanga

December 07, 2020 |

Impacthub Media |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Kibera, Nairobi Area

Concerned with a rise in misbehavior by students who were staying home much more due to the coronavirus pandemic, a resident of Kibera started a rope-making project that both engages and employs the children. "I felt the need come up with a project to keep the children busy and also generate a little income for the families to shield them from the effects of the pandemic,” the founder of the program explains.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Chimney Sweeps Attack Deadly Pollution Crisis

Nansalmaa Oyunchimeg

December 06, 2020 |

Global Press Journal |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar

After banning the burning of raw coal as a way to reduce air pollution in Mongolia, residents of Ulaanbaatar switched to refined charcoal to heat their homes. However, that coal also wasn’t the cleanest and contributed to hundreds suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. To fix that, the government teamed up with a private company to hire more than 1,600 people to clean and inspect people’s chimneys and stoves. While critics say the program doesn’t solve the country’s pollution problem, the service has provided jobs to those who didn’t have steady work and helped those who aren't able to clean their stoves.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Indian Women Turn to Ancient Grains to Feed Their Families and Their Futures

Anne Pinto-Rodrigues

November 26, 2020 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh

In the face of climate change, the nonprofit SABALA is working with nearly 2,000 women farmers in India to participate in millet farming, which can also strengthen community food security and empower women. Using traditional farming techniques, farmers can cultivate 15 to 20 of the climate-resistant crops on a 1-acre plot. Due to the success with millet farming, nearly 300 of the women came together to start a cooperative to process surplus millets and sell the grain to the local community.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Denver, Unarmed Mental Health Workers Respond To Hundreds Of 911 Calls Instead Of Police

Leigh Paterson

November 17, 2020 |

KUNC |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Since Denver launched its Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program in June, it has handled more than 600 calls for help with a mental health clinician and a paramedic instead of sending police officers. Modeled on Eugene, Oregon's CAHOOTS program, STAR is based on the notion that low-level emergencies involving mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse do not require police responses, and in fact can more often end peacefully by removing police from the equation. STAR started small, with one van on duty during weekday hours. Police support the move, and often call in STAR for assistance.

Read More
Go to Original Story