Community Issues and Volunteering / Public News Service

Gregor Willms assists the Cedarburg High School team in the soil pit at Envirothon 2024. (Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association)

Competition prepares students for environmental science careers

A local event that brings students face-to-face with outdoor habitats is serving to ignite a lifelong passion in some that go on to pursue "green jobs…

Data show integrating community health workers into the health care system creates more cost-effective and sustainable care. (buritora/Adobe Stock)

OR community health workers get a boost from tech

By Ramona Schindelheim for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Isobel Charle for Oregon News Service reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Servic…

Eliseo Santana, the Gulf Coast Region manager for the Alianza Center, which serves the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities, showcased the first-aid kits they distribute after hurricanes. (Trimmel Gomes)

Hispanic veteran demands respect amid immigration crackdown

As the Trump administration continues to implement aggressive immigration policies, many Hispanic residents in Florida, a key voting bloc for Trump…

Missoula has a younger population compared with the rest of Montana. Mayor Andrea Davis says the average age in Missoula is 35 but 40 elsewhere. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

Local economic partnership helps MT town embrace new work sectors

By Laura Aka for WorkingNation.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Big Sky Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Collab…

Mail-in and civilian absentee ballots must be received by the county election office no later than 8:00 P.M. on May 20th. On election day, polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M (Annap/AdobeStock)<br /><br />

Getting word out to PA voters about voter registration

With Pennsylvania's primary election set for May 20, a nonpartisan group is working to raise awareness about voter registration. Over 8.7 million …

The senior population is projected to exceed 95 million by 2060, indicating a growing demand for senior housing and related services. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Cities in MI take action to become age-friendly

As Michigan's senior population steadily increases, the need for communities that prioritize their well-being becomes more critical. With nearly 2 …

About 1.2 million people in Wisconsin are covered by Medicaid, including nearly one-third of children in rural communities, and 12% of state residents receive SNAP benefits. (Adobe Stock)

WI group pitches in to help voters share views with reps in Congress

As new federal policies and proposed funding cuts spark confusion and chaos, Wisconsinites are looking to voice their concerns to their elected …

Colorado's 20 Community Health Centers provide primary care to 857,000 patients, employ over 7,500 people and contribute $1.7 billion to the state's economy each year. (Adobe Stock)

Cuts to Medicaid considered to extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts

The budget resolution recently passed by the U.S. House calls for cutting $2 trillion in government spending to extend tax cuts passed during the …

Volunteer lobbyists next Tuesday will encourage legislators to improve the infrastructure needed to address homelessness across the state. (Adobe Stock)

Volunteer lobbyists to press Colorado lawmakers on homelessness

Coloradans who want to help move the needle on homelessness can still sign up for a lobbying day next Tuesday at the State Capitol. Cathy Alderman…

Organizations across New York State offer training in protest de-escalation tactics to help protestors remain safe during rallies and actions. (Adobe Stock)

NYers urged to take precautions when attending protests

As New Yorkers protest the Trump administration, some groups are advising best practices for protesting. State and national protests are occurring …

In 2024, AARP awarded a total of $45,000 in Community Challenge grant funding to four Wyoming communities. The City of Evanston installed outdoor game tables downtown. (Downtown Evanston)

2025 Community Challenge grants open to WY communities

AARP is taking applications for its 2025 Community Challenge grants and Wyoming's state chapter encouraged nonprofits and municipalities to apply…

A total of 195,972 Arkansas households are impoverished and another 366,907 are defined as ALICE. (Andrii/Adobe Stock)

More AR families rely on Child Tax Credit

By Wesley Brown for the Arkansas Delta Informer.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Delta Informer-Wi…

Volunteers from Centro Unido helped provide aid to victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. (Andrea Abernathy/Centro Unido)

NC organization applies COVID-era lessons to Helene relief

Lessons learned during the COVID pandemic have proven crucial to one organization responding to Hurricane Helene. Centro Unido - which serves the …

Experts say people affected by the Los Angeles area fires could the three major credit bureaus and temporarily

Fraud-fighting experts warn of rise in scams after L.A. fires

Scams are on the rise in the wake of the Los Angeles fires, according to a warning on social media from the Pasadena Police Department - so experts …

In 2024, U.S. drug overdose deaths fell 3%, the first decrease since 2018. (fotomaximum/Adobe Stock)

MO expert discusses state's first drop in overdose deaths in decade

Late last year, Missouri recorded its first significant drop in overdose deaths since 2015 - primarily due to increased access to naloxone, also …

The advocacy group Power a Clean Future Ohio said it is dedicated to ensuring every community has clean air, clean energy and clean transportation, no matter your ZIP Code or the color of your skin. (Sherman Cahal/Adobe Stock)

Ohio communities at risk amid EPA's program cuts

The Trump administration has begun dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency's office working to reducing environmental harms in minority and lo…

Produce at an upcoming farmers market will come directly from Catawba Trail Farm in Durham, N.C. (Volodymyr Kyrylyuk/Adobe Stock)

NC farmer's market, hike mark Black History Month

An urban farm in North Carolina is celebrating Black History Month this weekend with a farmers market and historic group hike. Urban Community …

An event in Burnsville, N.C., was a turning point for the 21st Century Packhorse Librarian project. (Photo courtesy of Kirsten Crawford Turner)

Free book project continues long tradition by delivering to Helene-damaged NC

By Anya Petrone Slepyan for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for North Carolina News Service Service for the Public News Service/D…

Last year, Ohio's food bank networks provided more than 244 million meals to households representing nearly 16 million people -- including over 4.8 million children and 3.2 million seniors -- a number expected to rise if federal SNAP benefits are reduced. (HASPhotos/Adobe Stock)

OH food banks face fed funding uncertainty, DeWine budget cuts

Recent federal executive orders have left many organizations in Ohio navigating uncertainty, particularly when it comes to funding for essential …

AARP Community Challenge grants have helped launch community gardens, which help improve livability for residents in a number of ways. (Adobe Stock)

Grants available to make Colorado communities more livable

AARP Colorado is accepting applications from nonprofits and local governments across the state for this year's Community Challenge grant program…

According to the site datausa.io, about 60% of theatre workers are white, nearly 13% are Black, 5% are Asian, and less than 1% are Indigenous. (Photo courtesy University of Michigan)

MI university professors address diversity gaps with online makeup tutorials

By Amy Felegy for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collabor…

In his last term and so far in his current term, President Donald Trump has taken 1148 policy actions on immigration, according to the Immigration Policy Tracking Project. (Adobe Stock)

Montana immigrant advocates watch federal, state policies

According to the Immigration Policy Tracking Project, the Trump administration has taken 130 actions on immigration so far this term. Groups in …

One study finds that 63-percent of libraries are funded through a local city or county government. Twenty-nine percent are funded through an independent library district. (Adobe Stock)

MD Librarian: Show libraries some love this month

February is National Library Lovers Month and libraries across the state are encouraging their long-time and new patrons to celebrate. David Dahl…

Libraries are tailored to their local communities, Varga says, such as a local library in Virginia Beach offering surfboard rentals. (Adobe Stock)

Show some love to VA libraries

February is Library Lovers Month - and libraries across the Commonwealth are encouraging their long-time and new patrons to celebrate. Lisa Varga…

More than 11,500 scholars were served in CDF Freedom Schools over 36 states and nearly 200 program sites during 2023. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month

As Black History Month continues, advocacy groups in Ohio are pushing for policies that benefit children from all backgrounds. They emphasize the …

The Texas Department of Agriculture hopes to reach children in rural areas who haven't previously participated in Summer Meal Programs because of transportation barriers. Eligible sponsors in those areas can apply to distribute meals outside of the required group settings and meal service times. (chomplearn_2001/Adobe Stock)

Sponsors needed for TX Dept. of Ag summer feeding programs

The Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting sponsor applications for its 2025 Summer Meal Programs. The Summer Food Service Program and the …

Adrian and Shane Potter adopted siblings Isaiah, Jordan and Sophia in 2021. (Photo courtesy of The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Collaboration helps TX foster kids find forever homes

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services are working together to find homes for foster-care childre…

AZ heart attack survivor stresses importance of CPR for Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, and an Arizona heart attack survivor wants more folks to learn CPR - which he said saved his life. Bob Spicer …

According to the Alabama Association of Nonprofits, nearly 44% of Alabama's nonprofit organizations operate without paid staff, relying entirely on volunteers. While the median staff size is just one person, the average size is 13. (Adobe Stock)

AL nonprofits face uncertain future, seek solutions at statewide summit

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

The American Federation of Teachers says schools must be safe havens, welcoming places of learning and free from racism, discrimination and the threat of deportation. (vectorfusionart/Adobe Stock)

TX teachers prepare to protect immigrant students

School districts across Texas are grappling with ways to keep migrant children safe and engaged in class now that the Trump administration has made it…

About 25% percent of children in Illinois are foreign-born or live with at least one parent that is, according to data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

IL schools urged to push back against new immigration policies

As Illinois parents and children continue to be on high alert amid fears of school immigration raids, school officials are publicly advocating for …

On average in Montana, full-time child care costs between $9,100 and $11,700 per year per child, according to Montana Advocates for Children. (Adobe Stock)

Montana groups bring unique solutions to child care problems

Child care is expensive and in high demand but groups in Montana are taking creative approaches to help. Child care services in Montana currently …

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported Maine experienced the greatest decline in homelessness nationwide in 2024. But local organizations said homelessness in rural counties is difficult to track, with many people sleeping in cars or 'couch-surfing' with family or friends. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Mainers struggle to find recovery housing

More than half of rural residents with substance use disorder have experienced homelessness in the past six months, according to a new study…

Moore says we should not make peace with the moral or fiscal cost of not addressing gun violence as a public health issue. A single homicide in Wisconsin costs taxpayers $2 million per incident and a single non-fatal shooting costs $644,000. (Adobe Stock)

Experts hope WI’s first state violence prevention office will save lives

Support for Governor Tony Evers's first statewide Office of Violence Prevention is gaining momentum, as some safety experts and advocates say they're …

Attorneys general from 18 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit blocking President Donald Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship. (Adobe Stock)

NY, U.S. elected officials file legal motion opposing end to birthright citizenship

Elected officials in New York and nationwide joined an amicus brief filed by the Public Rights Project fighting President Donald Trump's executive ord…

We Don't Waste serves more than 100 hunger relief organizations across Denver, and has so far saved 220 million servings of food. (Galatas)

Denver nonprofit tackles food waste, hunger

By Taylor Haelterman for Triple Pundit.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-P…

The Women's Foundation of the South expects to forge relationships with women of color who are nonprofit leaders in 13 Southern states by 2026. (Adobe Stock)

TX nonprofits led by women of color receive support from southern charity

As many nonprofit organizations see a decrease in funding and donations, one charity is stepping up to ensure organizations run by women of color do …

AARP Community Challenge grants will be capped at $25,000 nationwide this year, although the group said it might award higher amounts for compelling projects. (Patrick/Adobe Stock)

AARP Pennsylvania seeks ideas for grants to boost 'livability'

Pennsylvania cities or civic groups with ideas for improving their communities have a new chance to make them a reality. Grants from the AARP …

Women's Foundation of the South aims to address policies and programs that disenfranchise women of color and are barriers to opportunities. It funds organizations with multi-year general operating support and leadership development grants.

Southern charity funds AR nonprofits led by women of color

As many nonprofit organizations see a decrease in funding and donations, one charity is stepping up to ensure organizations run by women of color …

AARP Community Challenge Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects. (Robert Cowie)

OR town's pocket park makes a big impact

Sometimes small changes can have a big impact. For the Southern Oregon town of Chiloquin, a park that used to be a parking lot is creating space for …

One in seven hospitalized patients will need a blood transfusion. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland needs more blood donors

This month is National Blood Donor Month, and blood donor groups are making sure people know the importance of giving blood. Blood can't be …

According to America's Health Ranking, nearly 28% of Hoosiers age 16 and older volunteered in the last 12 months. (Adobe Stock)

IN DNR seeks volunteers for MLK Jr. Day of Service

Today the nation honors the "drum major for peace" - the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights leader committed his life to equal …

Women of color are often the sole providers of care for their families and communities and are far too often the last to receive nurturing care, rest and recreation for themselves. (Women's Wilderness)

Mountain retreat to 'pamper' Colorado’s caregivers of color age 50+

If you are a woman age 50 and older, and you provide care for a parent, a child, a loved one or neighbor, you are invited to sign up for a weekend …

Parks across Maryland have received federal grants of $15 million to improve city parks. (Adobe Stock)

MD parks gain from Interior Department grant

The Department of the Interior recently announced the largest single investment in local parks in the communities across the country and two Maryland …

AARP Nebraska's annual Community Challenge grants have funded projects ranging from community paths to traffic-calming installations. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Nebraska opens applications for Community Challenge grants

Many towns and nonprofit groups probably have ideas about how to improve their communities and now, there is a chance to get funding for projects…

The next DAV Patriot Boot Camp will be held February 5-7 in the Cincinnati area. (JenkoAtaman/Adobe Stock)

Building success for Ohio vets beyond service

The Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded GI Bill benefits, removing the 36-month cap for veterans with multiple periods of service. This …

Experts in the world of youth mentorship said one in three young people in the United States will grow up without a mentor. (Adobe Stock)

In MN, youth mentorship part of larger development puzzle

January is National Mentoring Month and in Minnesota, program leaders report waiting lists for kids to be matched up with an adult willing to spend …

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, more than 3,400 people are unhoused in Alabama on a given night. (Adobe Stock)

North Alabama warming centers prepare for winter storm

A winter storm is headed for north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee, and warming stations are working to provide a safe space for the unhoused…

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