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 234 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Healthier kids? Just hand their families cash.

Adriana Lleras-Muney

January 10, 2018 |

Politico |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

A study of a 1910 cash-based welfare program in the United States reveals the positive lifelong results of giving families cash to reduce poverty and prevent the long-term effects associated with it. Providing cash for families with children once resulted in a better rate of return in the form of better nutrition, higher socio-economic status and longer life expectancy. Currently, the government provides the "deserving poor" with welfare benefits such as health coverage and food aid but recipients must meet the strict requirements for eligibility.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The Network Keeping Dallas' Most Vulnerable Citizens Afloat

Mark Peterson Derek Robertson

December 18, 2017 |

Politico |

Photojournalism |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

In Dallas, where the poverty rate was only lower than in Houston and Philadelphia in 2017, nonprofits and charities are using a comprehensive approach to provide immediate relief. Local organizations like Sharing Life Community Outreach provide food pantries, free clothing, personal services, and also partner with local hospitals to share valuable information.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Be Cool, Stay in School

Adam Davidson

December 12, 2017 |

This American Life |

Podcast |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Rochester, New York

Most jobs require at least a high school education, but 80 million Americans don’t have one, leaving millions of people locked out of the social economic ladder. In Rochester, New York, an organization called Pathstone trains people without a high school degree. They created an optics apprenticeship program, graduating 9 students.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Build, flood, rebuild: flood insurance's expensive cycle

David Hunn Ryan Maye Handy James Osborne

December 09, 2017 |

Houston Chronicle |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

What was originally conceived of to help protect homes from flooding has instead trapped homeowners in an endless cycle of filing claims and rebuilding their homes. The National Flood Insurance Program was supposed to discourage development in flooding zones and ease the costs after disasters. With lobbying money and power from developers, realtors associations, and others with vested interests, any opportunity to redesign the system through Congress have haven’t gone far.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Oregon, You Can Now Save for Retirement. Unless You Object.

Elizabeth Olson

November 17, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

More than half of Americans struggle - especially in recent years with considerable economic and political changes to systems like Social Security - to save for retirement, and it costs states millions in public assistance programs. Oregon is piloting a new solution where the government helps private companies facilitate a small, automatic deduction from employees paychecks and sets it aside into savings, which is proving especially helpful for small businesses in helping their workers plan for retirement.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Free Money: The Surprising Effects of a Basic Income Supplied by Government

Issie Lapowsky

November 12, 2017 |

Wired |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cherokee, North Carolina

In North Carolina, the Cherokee tribe members receive cash payments every year from the revenue of local casinos. Native American reservations have one of the highest poverty rates in the country, but this payment has shown a positive impact on children's lives. As inequality increases, tech companies are advocating for "universal basic income," using the Cherokee community as a case study. More research needs to take place in order to define what the universal basic income will be, how people will respond to it, and what will be the overall effects.

Read More
Go to Original Story
SNAP-Ed addresses food insecurity with lessons on healthy eating, living

Emily Dech

November 09, 2017 |

Richland Source |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

Food insecurity, obesity, and poor nutrition are all currently major challenges facing many US communities, particularly in the Midwest. SNAP-Ed is helping to tackle all of those issues through a program that teaches food stamp recipients handy tips such as better shopping habits, how to prepare tasty but healthy meals, and ways to stay physically fit.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Brazil is helping its poorest children get an equal start in life

Jack Graham

November 01, 2017 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Brazil

Brazil's national Happy Child program, modeled after similar initiatives on the local level and in Jamaica, is working to help parents develop their children's motor coordination and cognitive development. The program works by targeting families who receive public assistance and connecting them to social workers and service providers who provide individual support.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Manufacturing in Massachusetts: : Teaching a Younger Workforce New Skills

Frank Dutan

October 02, 2017 |

The GroundTruth Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Springfield, Massachusetts

Despite heavy pressure, attending college is not for everyone, and a university degree no longer guarantees job placement; meanwhile industries like manufacturing are facing a decline in interested, qualified workers. Various initiatives in Massachusetts are implementing accessible job training programs, especially for minorities, that are helping to place people in manufacturing jobs that provide improved economic opportunity, while hopefully positioning the state for burst of industrial growth.

Read More
Go to Original Story
D.C. offers amnesty to parents who are behind in child support

Michael Alison Chandler

September 07, 2017 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Billions of dollars in child support goes unpaid every year in the United States, but not all of those parents missing payments are negligent deadbeats - many are unemployed, incarcerated, or have disabilities that are prohibitive to earning enough money. A new amnesty program in Washington D.C. is taking a closer look at individual cases to determine which parents may just need an extra boost to help find a job or otherwise make their payments, and is forgiving debt while providing grants and other resources to help them support their children.

Read More
Go to Original Story