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In Texas, People With Mental Illness Find Work Helping Peers

Lauren Silverman

July 13, 2017 |

NPR |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

The concept of peer-to-peer support has been leveraged by organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous for decades; but for perhaps the first time, health care systems are leveraging this method to help treat patients with mental illness. Non-profit Via Hope provides training and certification for peer support specialists who go to work in health clinics and hospitals to provide support, counseling, and resources for others suffering from a wide range of mental illnesses. They are already proving as, if not more effective than traditional case managers at helping keep patients out of psychiatric hospitals.

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A Fairhill church is redemption central for ex-offenders

Kristen E. Holmes

July 07, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A church in Philadelphia is adept at ministering to those coming out of incarceration and drug use because its two pastors come from that very same world. They hold members accountable, which could mean a required stint in rehab before folks can use the various services of the church like housing, food and help with employment. As a result the recidivism rate of members is about five percent, far lower that the state-wide rate.

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Victim families use their pain to help murderers change

Chelcey Adami

June 23, 2017 |

The Salinas Californian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Soledad, California

The Monterey County chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and a rehabilitative group inside the prison at Soledad, Life CYCLE, team up to hold meetings in which parents of murder victims communicate their hurt, and their children's stories, so that incarcerated men experience a new form of accountability. The dialogues, where those convicted of crimes may for the first time truly see a victim's perspective, also benefit the survivors by letting them try to produce something good from their terrible experiences. The program is credited with lowering recidivism rates substantially.

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Two kids, broke and on her own, mom finds Pathway of Hope for family

Morgan Watkins

June 22, 2017 |

The Courier-Journal |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Louisville, Kentucky

For people like Jasmine Smith, a single mother of two who lost her job after her broken and unfixable car thwarted her commute, one's options to provide for themselves and their families are few and far between. However, through Pathway of Hope, a national Salvation Army initiative that’s supported thousands in finding housing and financial stability, Smith was given financial resources, housing assistance, emotional support, a sense of self-sufficiency, and the will to continue her education.

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Why Boston Is Paying Ex-Gang Members To Go To College

Andrew Zaleski

June 02, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Dorchester, the Boston neighborhood with the highest poverty levels, struggles to keep kids in school from engaging with gangs and crime. But College Bound Dorchester (CBD) is fast rewriting the solution to high drop out and recidivism rates, paying ex-offenders a weekly stipend to enroll in and complete a diploma program and proceed to (and through) college. With "core influencers" -- ex-gang members who have "left behind their troubled pasts" -- as role models in the community, CBD emulates similar programs in Chicago and Baltimore, and studies show the initiative is working.

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After the Nepal Earthquake, Weaving Brings Wealth

Liza Ramrayka

June 02, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Kapilakot, Sindhuli

After Nepal's 2015 earthquake, many village women were left in financial devastation and struggled to support their families. The earthquake destroyed up to 90% of small enterprises and markets, so the United Nations Development Programme trained women how to weave. As a mode of recovery, the weaving industry has helped rebuild the economic and social structures through the Panchakanya group.

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Behind the Headlines: Pennsylvania's Opioid Crisis Up-Close

Jessica Kourkounis

May 03, 2017 |

Keystone Crossroads |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

More lives are being touched by sorrow as the opioid crisis continues to escalate. For mothers of addicts, recovered addicts, and addicts themselves, programs like Pathways to Housing and Prevention Point are bringing together this community in a effort to heal.

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After 36 Years in Prison, This Philadelphian Has a Model for Criminal Justice Reform

Tom Dallessio

March 31, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lack of education was the downfall of one Philadelphia man who spent 36 years in prison, and education proved to be his redemption when he discovered he could do well in coursework. He got a college degree and helped bring the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program to the prison where he was incarcerated. He continues to work with the program, which matches prisoners with college students and professors to help them gain the skills they need, and also fosters more compassion and understanding for those incarcerated.

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The High Price of Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Life

Taffy Brodesser-Akner

March 30, 2017 |

The New York Times Magazine |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Young adults who decide to abandon their cloistered Jewish communities have only one another to help them navigate the alternate reality of modern-day New York. 'Footsteps', is a nonprofit organization that brings formerly ultra-orthodox people together to talk and learn to navigate their new worlds, while also bringing in social workers and providing GED classes. For individuals leaving their families, life can be extremely difficult, but this group seeks to create a more positive transition to the secular world.

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Mothers in Charge grads exchange prison uniforms for caps and gowns

Maya Earls

February 18, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Tribune |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A program in Philadelphia works with formerly incarcerated women for an intensive 10-week period where they focus on life skills and changing thought patterns. Women get support and mentoring to examine how they wound up in prison, such as addressing past abuse that undermined their self-esteem. They go through a formal graduation program and learn ways to face challenges as they work to change their lives.

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