Housing and Homelessness Pillar
Application Deadline: March 13th
The Community Foundation of Utah and the Association for Utah Community Health are soliciting proposals for funding from organizations providing health and wellness programming for individuals experiencing homelessness in Utah. This multi-year funding (up to $85,000 per year) is allocated to support physical well-being programs that collaborate and provide innovative, non-clinical care solutions for homeless populations.
For all grant criteria, and to apply for funding, visit our website. If you have additional questions or would like assistance developing your application, please email Patrick Troumbley at ptroumbley@auch.org.
Note: This grant is not for clinical healthcare for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Willy the Plumber Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 28th
The Willy the Plumber Scholarship Fund is accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year!
This scholarship supports the college education of children whose parents are, or have been, incarcerated so they can have a brighter future. For all applicant criteria, please visit our website. To donate to the Willy the Plumber Scholarship Fund, click here.
Contact scholarships@utahcf.org with any donation or application questions.
Know an individual or organization that makes our community prosper? Nominations are open for the
Informed Decision Maker of the Year
- an award to honor those who are unrecognized for their good work in our state.
A weekly report on education news and commentary you won’t find anywhere else — from the nation’s leading voice on education innovation and opportunity.
MORE BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT FOR CHOICE. In a major “get” for ed opportunity supporters, New Jersey Senator and presumptive Democrat Presidential candidate Cory Booker signed on to Senate Bill 213 that re-authorizes the District of Columbia’s Opportunity Scholarship program. The Opportunity Scholarships are the only federally funded program that helps low-income children pay for private school tuition. Booker is co-sponsor with fellow Dems Diane Feinstein (CA) and Republicans Ron Johnson (WIS) and Tim Scott (SC). We congratulate Senator Booker on his courage and sticking to his previous declarations of support for students to find education wherever it best suits them, and not just confined to zip code. As Booker is fond of saying, “I was born on third base…” and he readily acknowledges not everyone was.
MORE EVIDENCE OF BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT. Prominent California Democrat Gloria Romero, former Chair of the State Senate Education Committee, penned a must read piece dissecting the current anti-charter mania raging on the left coast. Most of you may not live there, but ideas - both good and bad - that start in California often spread, or in this case metastasize is the more accurate word, to other parts of the country. Romero does a superb job of describing the current fevered-climate as well as debunking anti-voucher canards. Read it and be prepared.
THERE THEY GO AGAIN. The unions are back to default as the West Virginia affiliate of the NEA and their AFT counterpart strike against the ed reform bill that the legislature had almost assured would pass. Union leaders argued they “had no choice” but to strike. Really? A bill that would make schools work better for kids by improving opportunities for students to find schools that fit them gives the unions no choice? It’s students who have no choice…(But we digress.)
BREAKING: TEACHERS STRIKE TO KILL STUDENT CHOICE. West Virginia’s GOP Governor surrenders to another union walkout.
WHY UNIONS REALLY STRIKE. As they continue to cover education system dysfunction, media outlets around the country are providing space for well-reasoned objections to the teachers’ strikes against their students. This particular piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer is the best so far. Philly leaders Janine Yass and David Hardy rightly argue that whether they realize it or not, teachers “are not striking to provide a better education for students — they’re striking to keep control over education in the hands of the powerful.” The solution? “Public education must be redesigned.” Let’s start with money…
EDUCATION FUNDING IS BROKEN. The teachers who are stuck here and in other states with no choice but to follow their union need to be demanding different actions from their union - let’s start with the fact that the state’s method of funding education which the union has secured in law is completely unworkable and counterproductive. Money goes to districts based on archaic formulas, teacher pay scales and pensions are set and individual schools have little flexibility to pay more or better. It’s time for teachers - and the general public - to get schooled on education funding and potential changes that would make a huge difference. For starters, here is a primer on Student Centered funding from ExcelinEd
Another L.A.- centric policy brief is also food for thought for any district. Look for more about how to fix the real problem with how teachers are paid here in the coming weeks.
TROUBLING CIVICS. A new study released by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation found that only 25% of the 41,000 students tested nationally could pass the US citizenship test. Vermont is the only state that had a majority of its students pass the test. As we argued last year the knowledge of American history required of applicants for citizenship is impressive. Most high school seniors would be unable to pass it.
OUR ANSWER TO THE WILSON FOUNDATION’S FINDINGS. I “Americans don’t possess the history knowledge they need to be informed and engaged citizens,” says Wilson’s prez Arthur Levine, about the problem. Rather than curse that darkness, we decided to light a candle in the form of our “Why America?” project. This month’s program is on “The Father of our Country and the Women Who Preserved it.” For more information on our “Why America?” project or any CER efforts please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational
A weekly report on education news and commentary you won’t find anywhere else — from the nation’s leading voice on education innovation and opportunity.
MORE BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT FOR CHOICE. In a major “get” for ed opportunity supporters, New Jersey Senator and presumptive Democrat Presidential candidate Cory Booker signed on to Senate Bill 213 that re-authorizes the District of Columbia’s Opportunity Scholarship program. The Opportunity Scholarships are the only federally funded program that helps low-income children pay for private school tuition. Booker is co-sponsor with fellow Dems Diane Feinstein (CA) and Republicans Ron Johnson (WIS) and Tim Scott (SC). We congratulate Senator Booker on his courage and sticking to his previous declarations of support for students to find education wherever it best suits them, and not just confined to zip code. As Booker is fond of saying, “I was born on third base…” and he readily acknowledges not everyone was.
MORE EVIDENCE OF BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT. Prominent California Democrat Gloria Romero, former Chair of the State Senate Education Committee, penned a must read piece dissecting the current anti-charter mania raging on the left coast. Most of you may not live there, but ideas - both good and bad - that start in California often spread, or in this case metastasize is the more accurate word, to other parts of the country. Romero does a superb job of describing the current fevered-climate as well as debunking anti-voucher canards. Read it and be prepared.
THERE THEY GO AGAIN. The unions are back to default as the West Virginia affiliate of the NEA and their AFT counterpart strike against the ed reform bill that the legislature had almost assured would pass. Union leaders argued they “had no choice” but to strike. Really? A bill that would make schools work better for kids by improving opportunities for students to find schools that fit them gives the unions no choice? It’s students who have no choice…(But we digress.)
BREAKING: TEACHERS STRIKE TO KILL STUDENT CHOICE. West Virginia’s GOP Governor surrenders to another union walkout.
WHY UNIONS REALLY STRIKE. As they continue to cover education system dysfunction, media outlets around the country are providing space for well-reasoned objections to the teachers’ strikes against their students. This particular piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer is the best so far. Philly leaders Janine Yass and David Hardy rightly argue that whether they realize it or not, teachers “are not striking to provide a better education for students — they’re striking to keep control over education in the hands of the powerful.” The solution? “Public education must be redesigned.” Let’s start with money…
EDUCATION FUNDING IS BROKEN. The teachers who are stuck here and in other states with no choice but to follow their union need to be demanding different actions from their union - let’s start with the fact that the state’s method of funding education which the union has secured in law is completely unworkable and counterproductive. Money goes to districts based on archaic formulas, teacher pay scales and pensions are set and individual schools have little flexibility to pay more or better. It’s time for teachers - and the general public - to get schooled on education funding and potential changes that would make a huge difference. For starters, here is a primer on Student Centered funding from ExcelinEd
Another L.A.- centric policy brief is also food for thought for any district. Look for more about how to fix the real problem with how teachers are paid here in the coming weeks.
TROUBLING CIVICS. A new study released by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation found that only 25% of the 41,000 students tested nationally could pass the US citizenship test. Vermont is the only state that had a majority of its students pass the test. As we argued last year the knowledge of American history required of applicants for citizenship is impressive. Most high school seniors would be unable to pass it.
OUR ANSWER TO THE WILSON FOUNDATION’S FINDINGS. I “Americans don’t possess the history knowledge they need to be informed and engaged citizens,” says Wilson’s prez Arthur Levine, about the problem. Rather than curse that darkness, we decided to light a candle in the form of our “Why America?” project. This month’s program is on “The Father of our Country and the Women Who Preserved it.” For more information on our “Why America?” project or any CER efforts please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.
opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.
5 Ways Young People (And Everyone Else)
Can Fight For The Environment
Climate change continues to draw attention globally, from governmental debates on pollution solutions to people protesting against a lack of action.
In Europe, teenage girls and young women are leading a large student environmental movement, and organizers in the U.S. are planning to join an international day of action on March 15. Against this backdrop, those engaged in environmental issues say that while there is strength in numbers during protest events, the difference often starts with individuals doing the right things daily for clean air and water – when no one is watching.
“Creating awareness on a massive stage is wonderful, but how many realize the responsibility each of us has in this critical battle and how it can’t be won unless we all make the necessary changes?” asks Leslie Landis (www.chendell.com), author of Chendell: A Natural Warrior, a fantasy novel with environmental themes.
Landis hopes her novel will expand awareness of climate change and inspire young people to work together and foster environmental improvements. The characters in her book have a special relationship with nature and that leads to a superhero who fights for environmental issues.
“Anyone can be a hero in the fight against pollution; anyone can step up for any of the environmental problems that plague us and be a natural warrior,” Landis says. “From everyday habits to small lifestyle changes, doing those things daily can make a huge difference.”
Landis lists five ways to be a natural warrior for the environment:
Take a tote. “Ditch the plastic shopping bag and opt for a more versatile alternative like a reusable tote bag,” Landis says. “States like California are already doing their part to reduce the use of plastic bags, and you can help carry that movement forward by keeping a handful of reusable bags in your house and car.”
Think before you drink. “Say goodbye to plastic water bottles by getting a reusable canteen or thermos,” Landis says. “Not only do these items help Mother Nature by cutting down on plastic waste, they also reduce your exposure to BPA and help keep your beverages insulated.”
Get thrifty. “The fashion industry creates a lot of unnecessary waste,” Landis says. “But you can help slow it down by giving discarded clothes a second chance. Shop at thrift stores, second-hand shops and vintage boutiques. By sporting looks from the past, you’ll actually be helping the environment in the future.”
Don’t put the pedal to the metal. Environmental experts talk about how we all leave carbon footprints by the modes of transportation we use. “It’s a lot larger than you think,” Landis says. “Fortunately, there are many alternative means of transportation. Whether you ride your bike to work, carpool to school, or walk, you’ll be saving yourself from the high price of gas while helping reduce carbon emissions in our air.”
Grow green. Whether you’re planting trees to combat the carbon emissions or planting an edible garden to cut back on store-bought waste, Landis says, “Putting your green thumb to good use will always have a positive effect on the government.”
“It’s great to see young people in particular get involved in large numbers regarding climate change,” Landis says. “But it’s amazing how simple it is for everyone to get involved to save our most precious resources.”
About Leslie Landis
Leslie Landis (www.chendell.com) is the author of Chendell: A Natural Warrior. She holds an M.A. in psychology and is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Landis also has been a legislative assistant to a U.S. senator, a teacher, financial planner, and associate director in television.
