Community Issues and Volunteering / Public News Service

Kentucky resident Ethan Koeler spent two weeks in the hospital after contracting the coronavirus. (ETHAN KOELER/FOUNDATION FOR A HEALTHY KENTUCKY)

Monday, October 18, 2021

Kentuckian, 29, Hospitalized with COVID-19 Speaks Out on Vaccine

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Marshall County resident Ethan Koeler said he was skeptical of the COVID-19 vaccine. Then the 29-year-old contracted the novel …

Valley-Wide provides medical, dental, behavioral-health, physical-therapy and pharmacy services at 15 primary health-care centers, nine dental clinics, and four physical therapy clinics, strategically located throughout multiple rural counties in Southern Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

Wheelchair-Accessible Van Connects San Luis Valley Residents to Health Care

ALAMOSA, Colo. -- The Valley-Wide Ride, a transportation service introduced last year to help San Luis Valley residents get to health centers…

Curtis "Gunny" Jones, left, and Sanjay Srivastava have won top honors from AARP Maryland for their exceptional community service this past year. (AARP Maryland)

MD Seniors Honored for Aiding Vets, Nourishing Hungry

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Two Maryland men have received AARP Maryland's highest honors for folks age 50 and older for giving back to their communities…

The most recent major renovations to Cheyenne's Union Pacific Depot were completed in 2006. The building now ishome to the Cheyenne Depot Museum. (Adobe Stock)

Saving More of Wyoming’s Older Buildings Could Boost Local Economies

RIVERTON, Wyo. - Community and economic-development leaders are gathering in Riverton this week for the 2021 Wyoming Working Together Conference…

Food insecurity in Virginia rose to 22.5% during the first few months of the pandemic, according to the Northwestern Institute for Policy Research. (Adobe Stock)

New Focus on Collecting Heart-Healthy Food Pantry Items

RICHMOND, Va. - Demand at Virginia food banks has skyrocketed during the pandemic, and a new effort aims to get these community lifelines fully …

Wyoming consistently has ranked among states with the highest youth confinement rates in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: COVID Funds Could Help Close School-to-Prison Pipeline

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Federal school funding in response to the global pandemic, totaling nearly $190 billion, could help districts in Wyoming and across …

Initiated Ordinance 303 calls for city officials to enforce a camping ban within 72 hours of receiving a complaint. The city also would be open to lawsuits if it fails to clear camps. (Adobe Stock)

Ballot Measure Doubles Down on Denver Homeless Camping Ban

DENVER -- A growing number of tents popping up in neighborhoods across Denver have made it harder to ignore a chronic and expanding housing crisis in …

Las Cruces' Camp Hope provides temporary, transitional shelter in the form of tents, showers and cooking facilities while people experiencing homelessness transition to permanent housing. (nmcommunityofhope.org)

Desert Hope: A Las Cruces Option for People Who've Been Homeless

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - A new apartment complex built to serve people who've been chronically unhoused in Las Cruces was three-quarters full when it …

"Your Shot Texas" is a statewide pooled COVID-19 vaccination fund designed to reach people of color and under-resourced rural and urban communities. (news.calpers.ca.gov)

TX Health Workers Target ZIP Codes to Tackle Lagging Vaccination Rates

HOUSTON - Door-to-door and "ZIP-code-by-ZIP-code" is how some COVID-19 health workers in Texas are reaching the vaccine-hesitant. The "Your Shot …

Beginning in 2022, Nebraska's Department of Education will begin offering farm-to-school producer training in various regions of the state. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska Farmers Fueling Students with Locally Produced Food

GERING, Neb. -- With school back in session, many Nebraska students will be fueled by fresh beef, fruits and vegetables sourced from local farms…

Advocates are calling on state and federal lawmakers to shift policies, such as replacing the term "playground" with "outdoor learning environment" in regulations to support the creation of more nature-based spaces. (Adobe Stock)

Children's Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Expand Access to Outdoor Learning

DENVER -- As Congress considers making significant investments in the nation's child-care system, children's advocates say now is the time to make …

More than 42 million Americans may experience food insecurity because of the pandemic, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Groups Fighting Hunger Call for Action This Month

PORTLAND, Ore. - Groups fighting hunger and poverty in Oregon are urging renewed action this month to ensure that everyone is fed. September is …

The Muslim community in Austin will participate in the Sept. 11 "National Day of Service and Remembrance" by feeding the hungry and offering free COVID-19 shots. (Ronile/Pixabay)

TX Muslims Engage Community With Vaccines, Hot Food to Mark 9/11

AUSTIN, Texas -- Tomorrow marks 20 years since the fateful events of 9/11, with followers of Islam reflecting on progress in the treatment of …

Father Mychal Judge was the first recorded death by a medical examiner in the Sep. 11, 2001, attacks. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Advocate for Sainthood of NY Chaplain Who Died in 9/11 Attacks

NEW YORK -- With the 20th anniversary of the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks, a Catholic LGBTQ organization is launching a campaign advocating for the …

At the new Wisconsin 9/11 memorial, a support structure that holds a section of steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center. (wisconsin911memorial.com)

Nearly a Decade in the Making, WI's New 9/11 Memorial Ready

KEWASKUM, Wis. -- Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and you don't have to visit New York or the Pentagon to pay tribute…

Turnover for direct-care professional positions, many of which pay minimum wage with no benefits, has been as high as 60%. (Adobe Stock)

Disabled Community Urges Congress to Boost Home-Care Infrastructure

DENVER -- As infrastructure legislation makes its way through Congress, advocates for people with disabilities are urging lawmakers to boost …

On Friday, an Arkansas judge temporarily blocked the state from enforcing its mask-mandate ban, after state lawmakers failed to lift the prohibition in last week's Extraordinary Session. (Adobe Stock)

COVID Vaccinations Up in AR as Delta Variant Spreads

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Arkansans are well aware the state is seeing one of the nation's worst outbreaks of the delta COVID variant - but it's also …

Even before winning her medals at the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Suni Lee had already made history as the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics. (Adobe Stock)

Suni Lee's Olympic Triumph a Boost for MN Hmong Community

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Over the weekend, local celebrations were held in honor of Minnesota's Suni Lee, who brought home a trio of gymnastics medals from …

Advertising curtains, such as this one inside Kearney Community Hall, are common in community halls as stage backdrops, and were used to raise funds through local businesses paying to have ads. (Andrea Graham/Alliance for Historic Wyoming)

Historic Community Halls Open Doors for Tour, Potlucks, Pie Auctions

BUFFALO, Wyo. -- The doors of five historic community halls across Johnson and Sheridan counties were opened this past weekend for 15 people curious …

Homebound seniors who are not tech-savvy can be difficult to reach with information about the COVID-19 vaccine. (jcfrog/Pixabay)

"Your Shot Texas" Boosts Vaccinations with Nonprofit Grant Money

AUSTIN, Texas -- "Your Shot Texas" is set to give additional nonprofit, community-based organizations money for programs that increase access to …

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced a comprehensive strategy to address gun violence, which has increased in cities like Philadelphia since the start of the pandemic. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

Philly to Be Part of Biden Community Violence Intervention Plan

PHILADELPHIA -- The Biden administration has a new federal strategy to address gun violence surging in cities across the country, including …

The Black Appalachian Coalition hopes to change the stereotypical narrative that this region is just rural and white, and hopes to see federal funding allocated to communities equitably. (Adobe Stock)

New Coalition Aims to Change "Whitewashed" Narrative of Appalachia

PHILADELPHIA - The Appalachian region has long dealt with environmental pollution and economic disinvestment, and a new coalition wants to ensure its …

Last year, blood donation centers were trying to reassure the public that giving blood was safe during the pandemic. Now, as the people return to pre-pandemic life, they're asking to help curb the nation's blood shortage. (Adobe Stock)

National Blood Shortage Hits ND Centers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - A perfect storm is putting a strain on blood-bank supplies in North Dakota and around the country. It's a combination of trauma …

From transportation to housing, Bismarck is resetting its vision for the city's livability factors, hearing from older residents. (Adobe Stock)

Is Your City Age-Friendly? Bismarck Tackles That Question

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bismarck is laying out its vision for future planning. As ideas come together, it has become the first North Dakota city to adopt a …

The White House is mobilizing city officials, community-based and faith-based partners, businesses, colleges and others to help get as many Americans vaccinated as possible by July 4. (MIA Studio/Adobe Stock)

MA Community Makes Progress on Goal to Vaccinate 70% of Adult Population

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - A Massachusetts community has joined the Mayor's Challenge to help meet the goal of getting 70% of the U.S. adult population …

People with disabilities in Colorado currently have a vaccination rate of nearly 55%, compared with 30% for the non-disabled population. (Pixabay)

Colorado’s Homebound Population Receiving COVID Vaccines

DENVER - State health agencies are continuing to help people with disabilities who are physically unable to leave their homes to get COVID-19 vaccines…

A recent national survey from the Surgo Foundation found that Wyoming has the third-highest proportion of COVID-19 skeptics in the nation. (van3ssa/Pixabay)

Wyoming Behind Most States in COVID Vaccine Distribution

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Wyoming ranks among the bottom of states for COVID vaccination rates, and state health officials are encouraging all eligible …

Julie Manuel, left, was the winner of the 2020 Andrus Award in Oregon. (Joyce DeMonnin/AARP Oregon)

Award to Honor OR Volunteer During 'Difficult Times'

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The call is out for Oregonians who are making a difference in their communities through volunteering. AARP has opened nominations …

The Colorado Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program distributes money to charitable pantries, who must spend the money purchasing food from local farmers and other producers. (Pixabay)

Anti-Hunger Advocates Call for Expanding Pantry Grant

LAFAYETTE, Colo. -- Anti-hunger advocates are calling on Colorado lawmakers to expand funding for the state's Food Pantry Assistance Grant. …

Various studies have shown that between 75% and 90% of people remain housed a year after going through a "housing first" program. (Adobe Stock)

Housing First Movement Expands in Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- One of Iowa's largest cities will soon see another project that centers around the "housing first" philosophy in addressing …

In the aftermath of George Floyd's death, communities experiment with different ways to promote public safety. (Chad Davis/Wikimedia Commons)

Special YES!/PNS Report - George Floyd Anniversary & Reimagining Public Safety

Atlanta-based journalist Anoa Changa and Laura Rosbrow-Telem out of Oakland, CA reported and produced this special report with YES! Magazine and …

Since cuts to federal public housing budgets began in the 1980s, the deficit of affordable housing units in the United States has increased to 7 million. (Galatas)

Judge Dismisses Legal Challenge to Denver Homeless Encampment

DENVER -- A Denver District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit yesterday meant to block efforts to create a legal homeless encampment in Denver's Park Hi…

Since 2011, Minnesota's Hmong American Farmers Association has helped producers with access issues, including financial tools. (Photo courtesy of HAFA)

Hmong Farmers in MN Part of Grant Effort to End Health Disparities

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Hmong farmers in Minnesota are playing a role in trying to end health disparities for marginalized residents. They're getting help …

One megawatt of solar energy requires five to eight acres of land and provides enough power, on average, for 160 homes. (Photo: � Kelly Lacy, Courtesy The Nature Conservancy)

Toolkit Helps Build Support for Clean Energy

NEW YORK -- New Yorkers who are trying to build support for wind or solar projects in their communities can turn to a new online toolkit for help…

The pandemic has emphasized the important work done by volunteers. (insta_photos/Adobe Stock)

Nominations Open for ID Volunteer Award

BOISE, Idaho -- Nominations are open for Idahoans who are making a difference in their communities through volunteering as part of the 2021 Andrus …

By 2030, one in five U.S. residents are projected to be age 65 or older, and by 2035 there will be more adults over 65 than children under 18. (ArtTower/Pixabay)

Age-Friendly Network Welcomes 3 Colorado Cities

GREELEY, Colo. -- This week, Greeley, Evans and Garden City will officially join AARP's Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The Weld …

An estimated 103,000 North Dakotans are considered eligible for services provided by legal-aid groups. (Adobe Stock)

Slow Pace of Funding Worries Legal Aid Groups

MINOT, N.D. -- Groups that provide free legal assistance to low-income Americans warn stagnant funding could hinder their work. The nonprofits…

Thousands of Census Bureau workers fanned out across Arizona and other states in 2020 to count the population, but there are concerns some Arizona communities may have been undercounted. (Census Bureau)

Low Census Count Denies AZ New Seat in Congress, Millions in Federal Aid

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Political observers and community organizers are both surprised and disappointed Arizona's 2020 population count fell far short of …

A majority of women are breadwinners in their families. (Pixabay)

Survey: Moms Want More Than Breakfast in Bed This Mother’s Day

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- As Mother's Day draws near, a new survey conducted by the Institute for Women's Policy Research offers a clearer picture of what …

Some students in the San Luis Valley, especially young people of color, may not have been able to participate in the types of outdoor recreation that many Coloradans take for granted. (ArtTower/Pixabay)

Students in San Luis Valley Needed for Whitewater Rafting, River Surfing

ANTONITO, Colo. - Middle- and high-school students in Colorado's San Luis Valley will get to go whitewater rafting for the first time this summer…

Around $5 million in funding for Community Action helped agencies with a variety of support systems in the past year, including keeping food pantries open during the pandemic. (aerogondo/Adobe Stock)

Funding "Critical" for MA Anti-Poverty Efforts, Post Pandemic

TAUNTON, Mass. - Community Action Agencies say $5 million in the House version of the Massachusetts state budget next year would go a long way toward …

Advocates for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls say they're grateful for new state-level and federal policies, but fear a lack of local resources will keep putting more people in danger. (Adobe Stock)

New Awareness Week for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- Advocates are stepping up awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) and girls, but even with efforts in South …

In past Spring Sweeps, 2,000 volunteers at fifty sites have collected 20 tons of trash in a single morning. (Photo: Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper)

Great Lakes Cleanup Gets EPA Boost

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A multi-state campaign to help clean up and protect waters in the Great Lakes has received almost $300,000 from the Environmental …

Volunteers help staff a weekly COVID vaccine clinic in Schuyler, a town of 6,284 residents, where some 36 different languages are spoken. (Pixabay)

Nebraska Communities Band Together to Tackle Vaccine Distribution

SCHUYLER, Neb. -- Communities across Nebraska are banding together in response to the COVID-19 health emergency, and volunteers have become critical …

More than 1.5 million Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

MA Groups Urge Expanding Focus on Vaccine Equity

WORCESTER, Mass. - Some groups in Massachusetts want to see more focus on getting COVID-19 vaccinations to people in underserved communities hit …

Some Michigan counties are able to provide at-home COVID-19 vaccinations for homebound residents. (Adobe Stock)

Help for Michigan's Homebound: COVID Vaccine Outreach Expands

LANSING, Mich. -- More than two million Michiganders are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, and a focus now is to ensure people who are homebound are …

Even before COVID-19 health measures, 60% of people with disabilities reported experiencing mental-health challenges, largely due to social isolation. (Pixabay)

Groups Work to Get Vaccines to Colorado’s Disabled, Homeless

DENVER -- Colorado's disability community and supporters are applauding Gov. Jared Polis' move to prioritize COVID-19 vaccines for people with Down …

Food-distribution programs are eligible for the American Heart Association's Faith-Based Accelerator grants for worship groups on the East Coast. (Adobe stock)

Faith-Based Grants Aim to Close Equity Gaps in At-Risk Communities

FAIRFAX, Va. - More and more people are turning to faith-based groups for help during the pandemic. In Virginia and other East Coast states, one …

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