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SEPTA is testing a new way to help people struggling with addiction on the system

Darryl C. Murphy

May 26, 2021 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A pilot program in Philadelphia’s transit system is providing social services for people struggling with addiction. Loitering violations in and around SEPTA stations are on the rise in the wake of the pandemic, spurring the city to reach out to those experiencing homelessness and addiction instead of solely policing the vulnerable populations. The project will be implemented in several other stations around the city as well.

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How Native Americans launched successful coronavirus vaccination drives: ‘A story of resilience'

Rachel Hatzipanagos

May 26, 2021 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination strategies helped some Native American Nations achieve high vaccination rates. Tribal sovereignty gave Nations the flexibility to create their own methods of distributing the vaccine and allowed officials to distribute doses to hard-to-reach areas – even by dog sled in Alaska. They could prioritize who to vaccinate and diversify how vaccines were offered – from private appointments to mass-vaccination events – to ensure broad accessibility. Medical professionals, tribal leaders, and Native youth used social media to share information and encourage people to get vaccinated.

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Online Town Halls Likely to Survive Beyond the Pandemic

Brooke Staggs

May 25, 2021 |

Orange County Register |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Orange County, California

Orange County congressional members increased the number of town halls they hold since the coronavirus pandemic forced them to from in-person to virtual events. Going virtual increased the frequency of citizen’s access to hear from their representatives and also allowed many more people to tune in, especially those unable to attend town halls due to work or physical ability. A virtual event held by Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) was attended by 100,000 people, whereas in-person events pre-pandemic drew about 400 people. Live-streamed virtual events are faster to arrange and less expensive to host.

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What Robots Can—and Can't—Do for the Old and Lonely

Katie Engelhart

May 24, 2021 |

The New Yorker |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

The Joy For All Companion provides lifelike robot pets to lonely seniors. These robotic pets provide much-needed company to a group of people most at risk of being impacted by the loneliness epidemic that was exacerbated by COVID-19.

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Overdose Lifeline, state providing a new hope the opioid crisis fight

Stephanie Wade

May 21, 2021 |

WRTV-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Indiana

Indiana partnered with Overdose Lifeline to make the overdose reversal medication naloxone available via NaloxBoxes. The boxes, which are placed in neutral public areas that aren’t intimidating, hold several kits that each contain one dose of naloxone, instructions on how to use it, and referrals to treatment centers. The boxes make the drug available to anyone 24 hours a day without having to interact with someone. Removing the stigma of having to ask for naloxone makes it more accessible. The 60 boxes currently in use are in areas with the most overdoses and have been used hundreds of times.

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In San Francisco, Help Hits the Streets with a Crisis Response Team

Natalie Mead

May 21, 2021 |

What's Next Magazine |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Six San Francisco neighborhoods are now served by the city's Street Crisis Response Teams, which answer 911 calls for non-violent mental or behavioral health crises without police involvement. In its first two months in one neighborhood, the Tenderloin, the team handled 199 calls without any violent incidents or any need for police intervention. That led to the expansion to five more neighborhoods. The program is modeled on Eugene, Oregon's CAHOOTS project's street medics and counselors, but with an additional "peer specialist," someone with lived experience to counsel unhoused people on the streets.

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Here's how people in the Delta are working to overcome COVID-19 vaccine transportation barriers

Kelsey Davis Betz

May 20, 2021 |

Mississippi Today |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Mississippi

Transit operations have been repurposed to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines among underserved communities in the Delta. A fleet of transit buses that were sitting unused at Mississippi Valley State University now provide rides to and from vaccine sites. Community activists, local transportation agencies, and philanthropic groups have worked together to arrange similar no-cost vaccination transportation for people who need it. The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi made an initial contribution to support the efforts, though limited advertising has also limited the reach of the programs.

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The other SNL: New York City's athletic approach to curbing rising gun violence

Talib Visram

May 20, 2021 |

FastCompany |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Saturday Night Lights is run by the DA’s office and aims to reduce gun violence by providing organized sports for school-aged kids on weekend nights, when crime often goes up. Active in 20 locations across the city, SNL has served over 20,000 kids in 10 years. Partners must open on Saturday nights, for at least 46 weeks per year, and provide high quality coaching. There is no formal sign-up process or eligibility requirements apart from age and participants can join on any given night. As a response to surging crime rates in 2020, the mayor’s office has committed $5 million a year to expand to 100 locations.

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Chiredzi-Mwenezi rural communities burn biogas to save trees

Lungelo Ndhlovu

May 19, 2021 |

The Chronicle |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Zimbabwe, Chiredzi

Rural communities in Bandama and Dungwe villages in Chiredzi and Mwenezi are using biogas technology to cook instead of cutting down trees for firewood. The technology relies on fermenting cow dung and using the material in biogas-specific stoves.

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Laying out food pantries like grocery stores gives choice and can lead to healthy habits

Bekah McNeel

May 19, 2021 |

Dallas Free Press |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

At Aunt Bette's Community Pantry in Dallas, people receiving donated food are treated with dignity and given choices that can have both psychological and nutritional benefits. A client-choice food pantry mimics a grocery store, except at this one people shop by appointment to fill their free, biweekly allotment. Volunteers help shoppers with health advice and also track inventory, so that unpopular items get discontinued. When people aren't handed a box with a take-it-or-leave-it selection, they waste less food and end up opting for healthier choices (with some helpful but not overbearing nudges).

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