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How to Meet New People, Even at a Distance

Julia Hotz

August 29, 2020 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Coronavirus-related loneliness increased demand for groups that help people make personal connections and new friends, even if at a distance. A New York MeetUp, “I wanted to do that … just not alone”, has seen attendance at socially distanced activities increase. “Living Room Conversations,” an online platform where volunteers host discussions on timely topics, saw 1,000 new members since March and a 62% increase in page views. The groups encourage vulnerability and connection, but are not meant to replace professional mental-health counseling for those who are struggling with loneliness and other traumas.

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Even Parks Are Going Online During the Pandemic

Julia Hotz

April 09, 2020 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

As cities in the U.S. are placed under various degrees of lockdown, organizations are working to virtually bring "environmental education and recreation to viewers, from the comfort of their homes." Although virtual walks and live talks with park rangers are not a replacement for the lived experience, studies have shown that this type of contact does offer some benefits to mental health and well-being.

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Can Volunteer-Run Online Platforms to Support Neighbors In Need Meet Demand?

Julia Hotz

March 19, 2020 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

As social distancing becomes increasingly important as cities and states work to control the coronavirus outbreak, people in New York are finding creative ways to communicate in order to help one another. In New York City, community members are utilizing a website where volunteers are matched with their vulnerable neighbors' requests for errands, while in Brooklyn, community organizers are using a spreadsheet to connect and find support.

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The Runners Helping Each Other Get Back on Track

Julia Hotz

February 26, 2020 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

In New York and across eleven other cities in the United States, a non-profit organization called Back On My Feet leads early morning runs (starting at 5:30am) with members overcoming homelessness and the volunteers who choose to join them. In the course of twelve years, the organization helped over 7,500 members transition into permanent jobs and homes, with 83 percent of members maintaining employment and 70 percent maintaining housing. There are also physical health benefits including lower blood pressure, less dependence on nicotine, and a reduced BMI and obesity risk.

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Public Libraries' Latest Offering: Musical Instruments

Julia Hotz

January 14, 2020 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Instrument rentals help to address a gap in privilege. The Central Branch of Brooklyn Public Library in New York City is one of several programs in the US and Canada that loan out musical instruments for free. The program in NYC began with the support of a grant from BKLYN Incubator. Similar programs in Philadelphia and Toronto, Canada, loan instruments to members of their community through funding from grant programs.

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Explaining 'Citizens Assemblies', a Real Kind of Democracy

Julia Hotz

December 18, 2019 |

Vice |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Leeds

In the city of Leeds, England, a group of randomly selected demographically representative citizens came together to solve the climate crisis. This group of twenty-one strangers formed the Leeds Climate Citizens' Jury, which is a smaller version of the better-known Citizen's Assembly. Over the course of several weeks, the members of the assembly or jury learn about and discuss how to tackle a certain political problem, like climate change. Similar assemblies have formed in Ireland, Australia, and Poland to tackle political problems like abortion and nuclear storage.

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What happens when people win this basic income raffle? They have time to find meaning in their lives

Julia Hotz

December 02, 2019 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

A nonprofit in Berlin tests the success of the Universal Basic Income structure, which is founded on the idea that a monthly stipend awarded to all individuals can create an invigorated labor force and allow people to do what they love. The organization called Mein Grundeinkommen (My Basic Income), has found that recipients of the monthly cash stipend have become less anxious and more curious and willing to reimagine their dream job.

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Being Outside Boosts Your Health, but not Everyone Has Ample Access to Nature

Julia Hotz

October 18, 2019 |

Bitterroot |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

Studies have routinely shown that spending time outdoors is good for health, so programs are being implemented in the United States in order to increase children's access to getting outside. From California's Outdoor Outreach which aims to help low-income students to the Every Kid Outdoors Act initiated by Congress which eliminates fees for national park passes for fourth graders, these initiatives not only get kids outside, but also teach them social skills.

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Feeling Lonely? Perhaps You'd Like to Talk to Some Strangers

Julia Hotz

July 18, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Feeling isolated often leads to increased feelings of loneliness, but is also a reason why new meet-ups such as Tea With Strangers are becoming widely used as a solution. Based on the idea that strangers can become more like neighbors, these gatherings promote conversation and connection with the goal of reducing isolation.

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Despite Many Challenges, the U.S. Has More Young Farmers Than it Did Five Years Ago

Julia Hotz

April 12, 2019 |

Civil Eats |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boone County, Kentucky

With the average age of the American farmer at 57.5 and the number of farmers over 65 outnumbering farmers under 35 by a factor of 6 to 1, many are worried about a severe shortage of ecologically-minded young farmers to take over from the older generation. To address this gap, states and institutions are launching initiatives like debt-free agricultural college, tax incentives, and loan programs.

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