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What Democratic Design Looks Like

Barbara Brown Wilson

October 12, 2018 |

CoLab Radio |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In the Denby neighborhood of Detroit, the “Detroit Future City” framework led to a community-driven project to improve safety and schools. First, community organizers created the Denby Neighborhood Alliance. They next improved the high school curriculum, transformed a playground, and highlighted safer walking routes for children. “The power of the Denby project lies in the fact that it was rooted in, and driven by, neighborhood residents—not outside ‘saviors.’”

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Underneath This 'Pop-Up Forest' Is an Abandoned Highway

Alan Greenblatt

October 01, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Akron, Ohio

When the Innerbelt, a freeway in Ohio, was discontinued, a designer named Hunter Frank threw a party to liven up the space. From there, he pushed to transform it to a permanent greenspace. “There’s value in simply letting people use a space and allowing their behavior to inform a more permanent plan,” reporter Alan Greenblatt writes. While local governments often focus on planning and details, the success of the “Innerbelt National Forest” can be attributed to experimentation: kids playing alongside live music and trees may be what allows the “forest” to stay.

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Trash to Treasure: A Mongolian Man Turns a Landfill Into a Children's Park

Didem Tali

September 10, 2018 |

The Diplomat |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar

A Mongolian man named Ulziitogtork transformed a former granite mine that was filled with rubbish into a park/community center for children that sits on top of an artificial lake. Children used to play in the mine, which presented a real health risk, but now they can use the park to boat, ice skate, watch movies over the lake, and learn about Mongolian culture. Ulziitogtork considers it a work in progress and is counting on the local government to address the pollution and infrastructure problems that led to the park's creation, but already provides fun for over 6,000 children a year.

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'It Feels Like Home': Summer Soccer Camp Welcomes Refugee Kids

Carmel Delshad

August 28, 2018 |

American University Radio (WAMU) |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Landover, Maryland

A soccer camp has given refugee children in the Washington region a home away from home. L.A.C.E.S. — Life And Change Experienced thru Sports — shares the fun of the sport and aims to build young people’s confidence and sense of community.

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Can Ultimate Frisbee Save the World?

Jennifer Finney Boylan

August 22, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Israel, Ashkelon

Ultimate frisbee camps have helped Israeli and Palestinian youth learn conflict resolution skills. Because the game has no referees, players discuss disputes on the field themselves.

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'We Are Going To Survive': Douglas Students Use Music, Art To Heal At Camp Shine

Jessica Bakeman

August 14, 2018 |

WLRN |

Multi-Media |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Parkland, Florida

Camp Shine, is helping student survivors of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, heal. Through art, dance, and music, they are processing their trauma. The camp, was founded by two upperclassmen from MSDHS who believe in the idea of healing through art. Data shows it’s working. Researchers from the University of Miami who surveyed the students before and after the camp saw a reduction in PTSD symptoms. "They're here to have fun, but they're also here to heal.”

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Transforming Tulsa, Starting with a Park

Patricia Leigh Brown

August 10, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Gathering Place is the name of a new park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is a large-scale creative park project that, rather than receiving funding from the local government, was funded entirely through a local philanthropic foundation. One goal of the park is to bring different areas of the city together--though it remains to be seen if this will work as well as if privately-funded public spaces are effective in the future.

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Hungry for change: urban foragers take the law into their own hands

Jenny Cunningham

August 07, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

According to one canvassing research project, there are 450 edible plants within Seattle's parks. Similar trends are also found throughout the United States as a whole. Although foraging is typically against the law, a new trend of food forests - areas specifically designated for foraging - is spreading across the U.S., allowing city dwellers to become better acquainted to and nurtured by nature.

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Philanthropic horticulturists and other prison community leaders

Anne Hillman

August 01, 2018 |

Alaska Public Media |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seward, Alaska

At Spring Creek Correctional Center, profits from the prison store are shared among seven prison clubs. The clubs operate like nonprofits, bringing educational opportunities, music, plants, and more to inmates and donating extra funds to organizations on the outside. The system improves quality of life and offers leadership opportunities.

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In Honduras, troubled youth trade gangs for sports

Erlan Varela

July 31, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Albuquerque, New Mexico

In Honduras a former gang member created a nonprofit skating club to give young people healthy alternatives to crime and vandalism. With donations from USAID, the Catholic Church and others Skate Brothers serves about 70 young people with places to play sports, practice dancing and do skateboarding. The site also provides mentoring and a food aid program and the founders are deeply connected to the community.

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