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NYC's 'Green City Force'

Thomas Shomaker

June 28, 2017 |

NationSwell |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Green City Force has expanded to many of New York City's public housing projects with a two-pronged approach. Not only does this program help develop professional skills of and job opportunities for young adult residents with high school diplomas, but also simultaneously promotes environmentally sustainable living.

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"Boots On The Ground" For Backcountry Conservation

Chad Reich

June 09, 2017 |

KBUT Community Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Crested Butte, Colorado

As tourism activity increases on the trails throughout Colorado and crowds of mountain bikers flock to the Gunnison Valley area, a group born out of the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association has formed to act as a boots on the ground type of coalition. From trail maintenance to educating newcomers on proper trail etiquette, the Crested Butte Conservation Corps have taken matters into their own hands.

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Cracking Washington's Gridlock to Save the Planet

David Bornstein

May 19, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Climate change is a growing issue, but the Citizens' Climate Lobby (a group of volunteers who work to get Republicans and Democrats to work in unison) is aiming to curb carbon emissions. So far the group has had a large increase in number of volunteers and politicians joining and willing to work together.

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Getting Help in Emergencies in Super-Quick Time

Gemma Newby Sahar Zand

May 09, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Dominican Republic, Guayubín, Monte Cristi

Jason Friesen, an American paramedic who had served in Haiti after the earthquake, realized that many poor communities in the Caribbean were lacking the equivalent of the United States’ 911 emergency medical services, and were facing increased death tolls as a consequence. But in noting these communities’ possession [and use] of mobile phones, Friesen realized he could help such communities set up emergency response systems through the use of volunteers and a simple text message exchange. Now, his organization—Trek Medics—simplifies and democratizes the emergency dispatch system, and, as a result, saves numerous lives in rural communities.

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The Data Donators

Mukul Devichand Nick Holland

April 18, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, London, Greater London

Around the world, more and more people are launching projects through mobile apps that use smartphones to collect massive amounts of data for solving chronic issues. By asking thousands of volunteers to donate their data for the greater good, researchers can access data in quantities that were previously unobtainable.

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Bonds That Combat the Isolation of Military Life

David Bornstein

March 20, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Frequent deployments and relocations create career hurdles for military spouses and pull families away from their support networks. Blue Star Families, a nonprofit founded in 2009, is working with volunteers in 35 chapters around the world to help military families connect and communicate their experiences to policymakers and the American public. More than half of surveyed families say that they would not recommend military service to their children, a potentially serious issue for the all-volunteer force which recruits heavily from families with histories of service.

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In Nepal, 'appalling' river runs cleaner in wake of unusual partnership

Atul Bhattarai

December 18, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Kathmandu

For years, campaigns to clean Nepal's polluted Bagmati River resulted in failure. Now with police and government backing, the organization Safai Abhiyaan is in its third year, attracting hundreds of volunteers who are willing to brave the polluted waters to collect trash. The program's unique approach to organizing community volunteers has been a success, but the problem will not subside until greater perceptions about litter and water pollution are tackled.

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A day to expunge criminal records is hugely popular in Philly

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, people with certain types of misdemeanors can ask the courts to seal their records from public view. When this law was passed, a team of 175 lawyers, paralegals, and law students volunteered to help eligible people start the process of sealing their records. The event was a big hit with 1,853 people signing up for help, so many that registration had to close. Of the applicants, 1,200 will likely get their records sealed.

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India's Life Savers

Fehmida Zakeer

November 10, 2016 |

Bright Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Cyclones or floods could not close Sneha Center for Suicide Prevention in South India. This volunteer-run clinic is in the country with the highest number of suicides in the world. It is open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, offering confidential support to people in distress. Since its founding in 1986, Sneha has received more than 350,000 calls, as well as in-person visits, emails, and postcards.

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Americans Are Getting Their Voluntourism Fix on a New Carnival Cruise

Jacob Kushner

November 07, 2016 |

Vice |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Fathom is the world's first-ever cruise line for people who want to vacation and volunteer as a way of helping poor families in the Dominican Republic have concrete floors, water filters etc. However, the impact of this organization is unknown given a lack of data and contrasting anecdotal evidence.

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