Keystone Mission Opens Permanent Overnight Shelter in Wilkes-Barre

Keystone Mission had opened a 365-Overnight shelter in Wilkes-Barre, providing a permanent shelter option for local unhoused individuals.

The shelter can host up to 50 people at one time, and was able to provide more staff and shelter upgrades as a result of ARPA funding.

During the day the shelter will host activities and provide community resources. 



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ACLU Sues Pennsylvania Over Inadequate Public Defense

The ACLU of Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that it has failed in its constitutional responsibility to provide an adequate defense for those who cannot afford an attorney.

The ACLU is representing 17 people who have had nearly zero contact with the public defenders that they are entitled to.

Currently the state only provides roughly $7.5 million to support public defenders, leaving counties to make up for the rest in local funds.



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Philadelphia Reforestation Hub is Diverting Tree Waste and Creating New Jobs

Every year in the United States, up to 36 million trees are lost to urban development, disease, or old age, many being thrown into landfills.

Keeping trees in urban areas are shown to cool downtown areas, lower carbon emissions, and improve community health.

The Philadelphia Parks & Rec has partnered with Cambium Carbon, a startup that repurposes wood waste, and local nonprofit PowerCorpsPHL to provide new job opportunities for city residents, as well as to better tree preservation and waste.  



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How Regional Technology Hubs Can Advance Inclusive Innovation

Late last year, the US Economic Development Administration designated 31 regional technology and innovation hubs, of which five to ten will receive implementation grants this summer.

The goal of this funding is to expand innovation clusters to enhance national security, improve supply chains, and create internationally competitive technology.

Brooking research discusses how each regional technology hub can further advance inclusive innovation.

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Older Women are Different than Older Men—Their Health is Woefully Understudied

Over the last few decades, concerns have been raised over the lack of solid understanding in the medical research of older women.

Beginning last year, the Biden Administration has launched the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, which will help to provide solutions to many issues regarding the differences between aging men and women.

KFF Health discusses which priorities should be on the initiative’s list regarding the care and study of older women.

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Federal Student Aid Still Up in the Air for Many

Last year, the United States Department of Education announced changes to its Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA.

However, a series of technical issues, and the change of students now not knowing the amount of aid they will receive, may mean that some cannot attend college.

NPR discusses the new changes to the FAFSA system, and how it is affecting students planning to enroll in the coming semesters.



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