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Recycling can be a hard sell in rural Colorado. That hasn't discouraged a resourceful nonprofit effort in Swink.

Kevin Simpson

September 18, 2018 |

The Colorado Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Swink, Colorado

Recycling doesn't come easy for small, rural towns where the cost to export recyclables often realistically outweighs the benefits of this sustainably practice. Clean Valley Recycling, a nonprofit launched by local community members in the tiny town on Swink, Colorado, has gone against all odds though and serves not just as a recycling resource for the town, but for the surrounding region as well.

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Where a Sore Throat Becomes a Death Sentence

Denise Grady

September 16, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Rwanda, Kigali

In poor countries, where strep throat is not diagnosed, a seemingly harmless bacteria eventually causes the immune system to attack the heart valves. In order to help, the humanitarian group Team Heart, sends 40 to 60 volunteers of cardiologists, heart surgeons, and nurses, to Rwanda every year. Together, they help around 16 people get a new heart valve, and a chance to live a longer life.

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Meet the Delaware Teen Fighting for the Rights of Former Juvenile Offenders

Hallie Steiner

September 14, 2018 |

NationSwell |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Wilmington, Delaware

After her neighbor was incarcerated, a Delaware teenager and her brother began supporting youth coming out of detention with clothes, school supplies and other items. Their nonprofit grew and was so successful in raising money and awareness that the state legislature took over the re-entry fund just a year and a half after the organization's launch. The founder is now working on a pilot program to provide financial literacy training for formerly incarcerated youth.

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The business of voluntourism: do western do-gooders actually do harm?

Tina Rosenberg

September 13, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Guatemala, Zacapa

Voluntourism, or the practice of western volunteers paying to do service in developing countries, seems like a moral, do-good activity. However, the practice has been proven to have consequences, including reducing the need for local labor and stunting development of children in orphanages. There has recently been progress in discouraging volunteers from working in orphanages - the volunteer efforts in institutions never benefit the children - but true progress might involve staying at home.

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The radical solution to homelessness: no-strings homes

Aditya Chakrabortty

September 12, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Finland

Housing First is a programme aimed at reducing homeless. It is rooted in the premise that “the main thing a homeless person needs is a home. The program has been adopted in Finland, Denmark, Spain, France, and parts of the U.S. and Canada. In Finland, there is proof of results. “ Finland is the only European Union country where homelessness is not rising but falling – by an average of 35% between 2008 and 2015. “

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Eight drivers, five days: A migrant's emotional journey to find her daughter

Marrisa J. Lang Arelis R. Hernández

September 11, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Immigrant Families Together is a coalition of volunteers trying reunify parents and children that were separated due to the Donald Trump administration’s “Zero Tolerance” policy. They are paying for bonds, releasing immigrants, and driving them across state lines to be reunited with their children. Already, they’ve helped reunite a dozen families.

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Recyclers, The Final Link in the Long Nosara Trash Crisis

César Arroyo

September 10, 2018 |

La Voz de Guanacaste |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica, Nosara

Nosara, a district in the Costa Rican region of Nicoya Peninsula, is being overcome with trash after the Nicoya City Hall closed the local dump. Because local officials have been slow to act, citizens have had to take matters into their own hands that includes creating their own recycling company.

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Much to Do about (Vacant) Lots

James A. Anderson

September 10, 2018 |

Next City |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

In St. Louis, Philadelphia, Detroit, and other postindustrial cities, community organizations and city officials are trying a number of methods to reduce the number of empty lots and vacant houses that plague neighborhoods. As opposed to earlier, one-off programs, cities are now forging coordinated approaches that acknowledge the systemic issues underlying persistent vacant land -- for example, in St. Louis, an inventory of all vacant properties is shaping the work of a series of related city initiatives.

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How little organizations make a big difference through collaboration

Anne Hillman

September 05, 2018 |

Alaska Public Media |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Alaska

In Alaska, tribal governments are teaming up to eliminate programming redundancies, avoid competing for the same grants, and provide necessary community resources. Their collaboration allows the smaller tribal governments a flexibility and local impact that other governments aren't always able to maintain while still growing their programming.

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As the West burns, a town fields its own amateur firefighters

Carl Segerstrom

September 05, 2018 |

High Country News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Dufur, Oregon

In the town of Dufur, Oregon, local residents have been acting as firefighters to protect their fields and homes, using farming equipment to bury dry vegetation and tanks of water to put out the flames. While this has been the norm for years – because of the length of time it takes professional firefighters to arrive – the recent increase in wildfires is calling into question the safety of this informal fire fighting and figuring out how to work together with professionals.

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