Solutions

MANSFIELD — The volunteers behind the Laundry Basket Library project have one mission — to make reading materials easily available to everyone in Mansfield. The grassroots literacy program has served the community for two decades with free book distribution sites throughout the city. The project is run entirely by volunteers, most of whom are retired […]

This story is part of the SoJo Exchange from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous reporting about responses to social problems. Click here to read the original story. A grant program for rural United Methodist Churches in North Carolina wants to help congregations see their food-pantry ministries within the “big picture” of hunger in […]

MANSFIELD — Jay Miller’s life would likely look a lot different if it weren’t for an elective course he took in high school. As a junior at Ontario, Miller signed up for a business and finance course. Looking back, he believes the course opened his eyes to the possibilities that exist beyond a 9-to-5 job. […]

ONTARIO — For years, Mikayla Minard coped with the snubs of her peers by burying her pain inside. Now, she and a group of fellow students are breaking their silence in an effort to make their school a better place. The Warrior Leadership Committee was formed in February after a series of conversations between parents, […]

This story is part of the SoJo Exchange from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous reporting about responses to social problems. Alaska’s Herculean vaccine distribution effort this month evokes the historic “serum run” nearly 100 years ago that saved the town of Nome from a diphtheria epidemic and inspired the Iditarod sled […]

MANSFIELD — Joseph Parilla is clear in his advice when it comes to how north central Ohio governments should spend American Rescue Plan funds: Do it in collaboration with others. Counties, cities and villages should work together with private businesses,  non-profit organizations and residents on investment decisions to achieve both short- and long-term success, according […]

This story is part of the SoJo Exchange from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous reporting about responses to social problems. Click here to read the original story. Andrew Lopez used to spend two whole days a month plotting out his grocery shopping route. He’d sift through coupons for grocers throughout Los Angeles, carefully […]

MOUNT VERNON — Social work is all about helping those who need help the most, but the stress and emotional exhaustion that comes with it often lead to a quick exit from the profession. Up to 50% of child welfare workers are at risk for developing secondary traumatic stress (STS) related to working with traumatized […]

MANSFIELD — It’s been more than a year since schools across Ohio went virtual for the first time. Students remained outside the classroom for the last two and a half months of the academic year. State assessment test data indicates that those months of virtual learning caused a decline in literacy among early elementary school […]