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Murder in America: What Makes Cities Safer

Scott Calvert Zusha Elinson Max Rust

December 27, 2017 |

Wall Street Journal |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Certain cities in the United States are facing startlingly high rates of homicide and violence that haven't been seen since the height of gang activity in the 1990s. But certain cities, including Los Angeles, have continued to see declines in or stable crime rates, thanks to a community-based policing approach that uses tactics such as working with former drug dealers, hosting neighborhood events, cleaning litter from the streets, and mediating sit-downs between formal gang rivals.

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Faith Based Farms

Colm Flynn

December 06, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Jersey

In the United States, a multi-denominational movement combines faith and farming. “Gardens are magical places,” says Venice Williams, executive director of Alice’s Garden in Milwaukee, one of three faith-based farms profiled in this story. “This garden and most gardens slow you down, connect you to other people, and help you to put things into perspective and to celebrate everything that the creator has provided for us--however you identify with that creator.”

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7,500 Strangers Just Bought A Crumbling French Chateau Together

Laurel Wamsley

December 05, 2017 |

NPR |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: France, Les Trois-Moutiers

Dartagnans is a French crowdfunding platform that aims to use crowdfunding as a way to protect the “cultural heritage” of France. Most recently, a fundraiser for a historic castle succeeded in raising 500,000 euros, which will go toward restoring the heritage site that dates back to the 13th century. Though it’s not the most traditional way to restore old buildings, the platform has had several successes in this realm.

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Urban Parks and the 10-Minute Challenge

Laurie Mazur

October 31, 2017 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

On average, one in three Americans don't live within ten minutes of a park. That percentage is even lower for low-income people and people of color. Because parks often can lead to better health for both individuals and communities, the Trust for Public Land, the National Recreation and Park Association, the Urban Land Institute, and the JPB Foundation have joined forced to implement a national advocacy campaign to bring attention and action to this issue.

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Public Shaming and Even Prison for Plastic Bag Use in Rwanda

Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura

October 28, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Gisenyi

Plastic bag litter is a serious problem across Africa and around the world, choking waterways, killing livestock and wildlife when ingested, and causing environmental damage. Rwanda is one of the few nations in the world to completely ban single-use plastic bags, but they take enforcement of the ban to a sometimes controversial extreme, with punishments that can even include jail time. The measures do appear to be working, however, where the clean streets and countrysides of Rwanda stand in stark contrast to the heavily-littered land of neighboring countries.

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Teens With Criminal Records Are Beautifying Baltimore By Planting Flowers

Emily Weitz

October 12, 2017 |

Vice |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

'Tha Flower Factory' is setting out to help provide employment, mentor kids, and restore hopefulness and beauty to the city of Baltimore. This project employs individuals to plant flowers and seeds, helping bring down criminal records and change the landscape at the same time.

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In Woodlawn, a Ground-Up Approach to a Healthier, Safer Community

Brandis Friedman

October 11, 2017 |

WTTW-PBS |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Urban areas that have more trees tend to have lower crime rates, attracting more investment and have higher income levels. They also make neighborhoods nicer places to live so that’s why Blacks in Green, a community group in Chicago, is focused on building more gardens, planting orchards and trees with the help of the Morton Arboretum, which works with community groups around the city. Blacks in Green has combined the initiative with efforts to provide more jobs for the community’s young people as well.

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The Case for the Flood-Proof Lawn

Aviva Shen

October 07, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Below sea level and prone to floods, residents in New Orleans have been battling water for years. Urban Conservancy and other initiatives help residents to 'own' their water and install permeable concrete and water-loving plants in order to help absorb the water instead of pushing it somewhere else.

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Milwaukee is Showing How Urban Gardening Can Heal a City

Laurie Mazur

October 04, 2017 |

Civil Eats |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Urban gardening initiatives strengthen health and community in Milwaukee. The Victory Garden Initiative offers affordable options for residents to begin gardening—as well as information resources and community events.

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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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