Community Issues and Volunteering / Public News Service

A 2022 study from the Administration for Community Living found 60% of senior centers are designed to be points of delivery for Older Americans Act programs, like home-delivered or congregate meals, health and wellness programs, caregiver support and adult day care. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, June 1, 2023

VA Senior Center Grows 'Environmental Wellness' Programs

As the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, senior centers in Virginia are welcoming back their participants, and one in particular has shifted some of …

In 2021, nearly 61 million Americans volunteered for an organization, reflecting a value of almost $123 billion. (WavebreakmediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

AARP of Nebraska Seeks Nominations for Top State-Level Honor

If you know of a Nebraskan age 50 or older who actively supports his or her community through volunteering, you might want to nominate them for the 20…

At the height of the pandemic, nearly two million Oregonians volunteered their services, according to AmeriCorps. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Are You One in Two Million? An OR Volunteer Will Be Award Winner

The nomination process is open for a prestigious award handed out to volunteers in Oregon each year. The Andrus Award for Community Service award is …

South Dakota officials say their new program, which gives rural EMS crews access to telemedicine inside an ambulance, is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

Telemedicine in Motion: SD's Rural EMS Crews Go High-Tech

People might picture a defibrillator or stretcher when they think of a first responder. But what about an iPad? South Dakota says a new program …

Evictions are traumatic experiences for families, and new project in King County, Washington, is providing support to prevent them. (Rick/Adobe Stock)

Eviction Prevention Program Moves Upstream to Help Families

An eviction prevention program is working to ensure evictions do not happen in the first place. The United Way of King County has provided $500,000 …

It is estimated about one-third of New Mexico's more than 120 threatened and endangered species occur in the Gila region, including the Mexican grey wolf, Gila trout and Mexican spotted owl. (Photo courtesy of Raquel Madrigal)

New Mexico Mural Art Features Endangered Species, Migration Themes

The Village of Doña Ana is New Mexico's oldest federally designated settlement, and about to be the newest destination for public art. The …

If left unchecked, and without access to medications, chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can turn into complications such as diabetic neuropathy and coronary vascular disease. (Adobe Stock)

Critical Medicines Closer to West Denver Metro Residents

After 18 months of planning and renovations, STRIDE community health center has opened its second pharmacy inside the Wheat Ridge clinic at 29th St…

About 28% of Idahoans volunteered with organizations in 2021, according to AmeriCorps. (Nicholas F-peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

ID Nominees Sought for Prestigious Volunteering Award

The nomination process is open for older Idahoans who have volunteered their time to help improve their communities. The Andrus Award for Community …

A new training program developed by the High Plains Research Network Community Advisory Council is helping community members intervene and prevent suicides in rural areas across Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado's Rural Communities Mobilizing to Prevent Suicide

Community advisory committees across rural Colorado are working to better understand the mental-health needs for community members including farmers…

A one-day food drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO) has delivered more than 1.82 billion pounds of food in the past 30 years. (Courtesy Roadrunners)

'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive Returns to New Mexico Saturday

One in five children in New Mexico is at risk of hunger, and this weekend you can make a difference. Hunger-relief organizations are promoting the …

Research has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older and could help counter America's newest public health epidemic, loneliness.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Andrus Award Honors Older Volunteers Helping ME Communities

AARP is seeking nominations for its 2023 Andrus Award for Community Service, which celebrates those individuals over age 50 who share their …

Robert Fisher of Adel, Iowa, prevailed in his efforts to have an electronic button installed to operate the door at the local U.S. Post Office. (Robert Fisher/Iowa Council on Developmental Disabilities)

One Person's Battle Against the Post Office Prevails

A man in Adel who is part of Iowa's community of people with disabilities has been successful in having an electronic door installed at the U.S…

Tours of the mid-century modern M Building, renovated by Diane McGinley and her husband in downtown Casper, is just one of this year's many sites to be celebrated during Preservation Month, which was started by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973. (Diane McGinley)

M Building Kicks Off WY Historic Preservation Month

The Alliance for Historic Wyoming is putting a spotlight on the people responsible for preserving places during Preservation Month, which kicks off …

The scholarship initiative was created with the Colorado Department of Higher Education to increase the attainment of postsecondary credentials and degrees for underserved students in Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

CO Scholarship Initiative Invests in Students Experiencing Homelessness

More than 15,000 students in Colorado have experienced homelessness, and a new grant from the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative will help …

According to the American Library Association, a record 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship in 2022, a 38% increase over the previous year. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Censorship Craze, Library Campaign Aims to Turn the Page

Public libraries are known for their quiet settings. But during National Library Week, staff leaders in Minnesota and elsewhere are being vocal about …

Silent No More: Public Libraries Shout Back Against Censorship Craze

Public libraries are known for their quiet settings, but in the coming days, staff leaders in South Dakota and elsewhere will be vocal about the …

Earlier this month, North Dakota's governor issued an executive order declaring a statewide emergency in response to spring flooding. (Adobe Stock)

Flood Preparedness 101: Tips Resurface in ND After Big Snowmelt

North Dakota is no stranger to spring floods, but after several late winter bursts, rapid snowmelt has led to heightened concerns about rivers …

Granite Staters younger than age 40 make up 26% of the state population but only 2% of state legislators, while Granite Staters age 76 and older are 11% of the population but 32% of state legislators, according to 603 Forward. (Adobe Stock)

NH Organization Invests in Young Candidates Seeking Local Elected Offices

Young people interested in running for local office in New Hampshire are learning the ins and outs of organizing a successful campaign with the help o…

Electric vehicles, which can carry a battery pack with up to 50,000 volts of electricity, can be a danger, both to passengers and first responders, in accidents. (Adobe Stock)

EV Accident Response Training Emerges for First Responders

The auto industry and public agencies are looking ahead to a bigger transition to electric vehicles, and it's not just adding more charging stations…

Beyond Infrastructure, EV Movement Includes First-Responder Training

The auto industry and public agencies are looking ahead to a bigger transition to electric vehicles, and it's not just adding more charging stations…

First Responders Learn to Deal with Electric-Vehicle Accidents

As the number of electric vehicles on Illinois roads grows, so does the danger of injury for emergency medical technicians and firefighters …

One of four Americans volunteers, and two of three Americans help their neighbor, according to a study performed by The Corporation for National and Community Service. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Volunteers Seek to Boost Literacy This Month

April is Global Volunteer Awareness Month, and in Iowa advocates are calling on people to donate books and their time to help kids learn to read them…

The U.S. Census Bureau says Asian-Pacific Islanders make up a growing part of America's immigrant community. (Adobe Stock)

Community Group Helps Asian-Pacific Island Migrants Adjust to Life in U.S.

Thousands of immigrants arrive in the United States every year, knowing very little about the language, culture and civic ways of their new homeland…

According to Feeding America, one in seven people in Arkansas faces hunger. Local food banks are always in need of volunteers to help. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansans Encouraged to Roll Up Their Sleeves and Volunteer

National Volunteer Month, and AARP Arkansas is encouraging people to dedicate a little more time and energy to the communities and causes important …

In 2011, coal produced 44% of all electricity in the United States. In 2022, it produced just 20% and is projected to drop to 10% or less by 2030. (Creativenature.nl/Adobe Stock)

Report: Half of Nation’s Coal Power Units to Retire by 2026

The U.S. is projected to retire half of its coal-fired power units by 2026, just 15 years after coal use for electricity reached its peak in 2011…

A recent survey found that 65% of parents think their school has done an

New Survey Spotlights Parents’ Mindsets in 2022-2023 School Year

More than half of parents in Colorado and across the nation continue to be concerned about children's mental health, according to the latest survey …

Barbara, Gay, Bonnie and Michele make every month National Volunteer Month, regularly giving time to Albuquerque's Roadrunner Food Bank. (Roadrunner Food Bank)

New Mexico Volunteers Help Fight Food Insecurity

Those who give voluntarily of their time take center stage during April's National Volunteer Month. And New Mexico's Roadrunner Food Bank wants more …

3,514 men and one woman have won the Medal of Honor in service of their country from the Civil War to the present day. 19 have won it twice. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Plans for National Medal of Honor Monument Progress in Washington, D.C.

Congress is moving forward with plans to build a National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C. - honoring the 3,600 Americans who have earned …

According to The Medal of Honor Museum and Foundation, 3,514 men and one woman have won the Medal of Honor in service of their country from the Civil War to the present day. (Adobe Stock)

As Medal of Honor Marks 160th Anniversary, a National Monument is in the Works

160 years ago, Civil War soldiers were awarded the first Medals of Honor. Now, a Medal of Honor Monument will soon be built on the National Mall in …

In addition to first aid kits, the American Red Cross suggests having extra clothes, rain gear and sturdy shoes that are accessible when venturing into the outdoors for a lengthy period. (Adobe Stock)

Spring Season Provides Opportunity for Disaster Preparedness

From navigating floodwaters to surviving the aftermath of a severe storm, South Dakotans are being urged to make sure they're ready for whatever …

It costs taxpayers $13,400 to provide supportive housing per person each year, compared with between $21,000 and $40,000 for medical care, incarceration, detox treatment and shelter services. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Denver Mayoral Candidates Off the Mark on Homeless Crisis

Advocates for people experiencing homelessness are pushing back against proposals by several Denver mayoral candidates who are including forced mental…

School board meetings have historically included intense cultural debates, such as the teaching of evolution, the removal of offensive sports mascots, or educator-required

Conservative 'M4L' Group Sets Sights on School Boards, Book Bans

A group formed to oppose COVID-19 mask mandates is expanding its agenda to influence school board elections, and a national watchdog group believes …

Regular brisk walking can help prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Small Towns Find Ways to Increase Walkability

Whitesburg residents have put the finishing touches on a walking trail aimed at increasing outdoor exercise among residents and linking local business…

Members of the group, Marked By Covid lobby for passage of HD.3821, to formally recognize Covid Remembrance Day. Bereaved community members will gather for a Covid Remembrance Day Interfaith event on Saturday, March 11 at 3:00 pm ET at the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Florence. (Ritz Sullivan)

Efforts Underway to Formalize COVID-19 Remembrance Day in MA

Family members of those lost to Covid are urging lawmakers to pass legislation to formally recognize the first Monday in March as Covid Remembrance Da…

It is estimated that some 89,000 Colorado children will grieve the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Funds Brought Grief Care to More Colorado Students

A groundbreaking bereavement service is expanding efforts to reach kids where they are: in schools, churches and other community sites. Emily Napier…

Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than $12.7 million to more than 1,060 projects, including 22 in Colorado, through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Colorado Seeking Projects to Help Improve Communities

AARP Colorado is putting out the call for creative projects to help improve communities, by creating new public transportation and housing options…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has internship openings for Latino youth interested in pursuing careers in public land management, program coordination, outdoor recreation and community engagement in California, Minnesota and Oregon. (Kayt Jonsson/USFWS)

MANO Internships Broaden Horizons for NM Latinos

More than 200 young U.S. Latinos completed internships last year, which could lead to jobs historically difficult for them to access. Unpaid …

Ticonderoga's DRI grant is part of the sixth round of funding for this program. Grant winners from past years include Plattsburgh, Massena Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. (Adobe Stock)

Ticonderoga Has Big Plans for Downtown Revitalization Grant

The Town of Ticonderoga has received a Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant from the state. The $10 million grant will go toward a series of …

The 163 billion cubic feet of lost methane on public lands represents enough wasted natural gas to meet the needs of 2.2 million households; nearly as many households as New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah and Wyoming combined, studies show. (Adobe Stock)

Report: $500 Million Gas Lost at Oil and Gas Fields on Public Lands

Oil and gas operators waste a half billion dollars worth of natural gas on public lands every year, according to a new report. Chad Franke, …

A schematic of a planned shopping district by F7 International Development, whose CEO was recently awarded the

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NC Business Owners Recognized for Their Social Impact

An increasing number of North Carolina businesses are shifting toward social impact and sustainable business practices. James Montague, president …

The Glen Canyon Dam currently generates energy for nearly six million households in Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. (Adobe Stock)

Falling Lake Powell Water Levels Put Wyoming Hydro Power at Risk

Part of the deal Wyoming struck for sending its water down the Colorado River was that state residents would be able to tap electricity generated at G…

In Colorado, outdoor recreation is considered to be a legally beneficial use of Colorado water. (Adobe Stock)

Revised Colorado Water Plan Prioritizes Conservation

A coalition of conservation groups is giving Colorado's revised state water plan a thumbs-up for its increased focus on protecting Colorado's rivers…

Since 2017, AARP has awarded more than $12.7 million to more than 1,060 projects, including 10 in Wyoming, through the Community Challenge to nonprofit organizations and government entities. (Adobe Stock)

AARP Wyoming Seeking Projects to Help Improve Communities

AARP Wyoming is putting out the call for creative projects to help improve communities, whether by creating new public transportation and housing …

On average, people spend an average of 52 hours per year volunteering their time, according to Nonprofits Source. (Adobe Stock)

Iowans Rank High on "Informal" Volunteering

New data on volunteering in the United States from the independent government agency AmeriCorps shows the pandemic cut deeply into the amount of time …

Master Gardeners Nate Picken and Frank Amaro along with Pembroke Mayor Judy Peterson help Avery Grace select trees to be planted at Pembroke School. (Photo courtesy Toni Riley)

Trees Bring Hope, Healing for Western Kentucky Tornado Victims

By Toni Riley for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabora…

Nearly half of all Hispanic-Americans live in counties that frequently violate ground-level ozone standards. (Adobe Stock)

Public Health Benefits of Limiting Oil, Gas Methane Pollution

The public has until February 13th to weigh in on new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce methane pollution at oil and gas…

Storage batteries hidden behind this Bronzeville mural will be part of a microgrid system that will render the entire Chicago neighborhood energy-independent. (ComEd)

Chicago's Bronzeville Neighborhood Gets Its Own Power Microgrid

By Francesca Mathewes for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journal…

The City of College Place, Wash., received a grant to improve wireless internet connection in the community. (City of College Place)

Community Challenge Grant Provides Unique Opportunity for WA Cities

A grant program to improve communities is open for applications. Started in 2017, the AARP Community Challenge program provides grants to …

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