13-21 year olds apply by Jan 19 for free Freedom to Read Advocacy program

BPL Freedom to Read Institute header

PEN America & the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) are co-hosting the first-ever Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute in February 2023! This free, online, 4-week program is open to all high school students nationwide. Apply by Thursday, January 19 – applications close at 11:59 p.m E.T. Learn more & apply.

More information about what the BPL offers students who want to be able to read all types of books – even ones that are banned in some places.

New Jersey servicios legales y sociales gratuitos para niños inmigrantes

Children's hands

New Jersey es el hogar de la quinta población más grande de niños inmigrantes no-acompañados en el país

 (TRENTON) – En el 22 de marzo de 2022, la Comisionada Sarah Adelman anunció que el Departamento de Servicios Humanos de New Jersey se ha asociado con Niños en necesidad de defensa (Kids in Need of Defense –KIND, por sus siglas en inglés) para proporcionar asesoramiento jurídico gratuito y coordinación de servicios sociales a los niños y jóvenes migrantes que llegan a New Jersey como menores no acompañados en busca de refugio. read more

SNAP now for NJ College Students

Family shopping for veggies

New Jersey students ages 18 to 49 enrolled at least half-time in a college, university, community college, business, technical, trade, or vocational school may be eligible for food assistance through New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

Get more information or apply for SNAP

This provision will be in effect now for the duration of the Federal Public Health Emergency. 

Peek in at farm show’s live Beehive Cam

PA Farm Show live bee cam

The Pennsylvania Farm Show has a live Beehive Cam this week. From 8am-8pm you can enjoy watching bees move around, eat, clean and do all the fun things that bees do inside their hive. For some reason, it’s fascinating to watch them.

When you’re watching, keep in mind that almost all the bees in a hive are female.

Ivy League candidate’s hopes are dashed by police in Dear Martin (book)

Dear Martin, a New York Times bestseller by Nic Stone: When a young black man is racially profiled by the police, his hopes for an Ivy League future disappear. Review: “Absolutely incredible, honest, gut-wrenching. A must read” (Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give).

Teen/Young Adult book featured for Nook Sept 29 2019 only for $1.99 (regular price $9.99).

If you have the urge to scream at a 16 year old, you may need The Greta Helpline

Some people are outraged that a 16 year old child is the only global citizen courageous enough to stand up to world leaders and explain the facts about climate change. They don’t want anyone talking about science, or obligations, or the fact that the world will come to an end if we don’t make some serious changes. And if anyone is going to talk about these things, it sure as heck should not be a child.

Luckily for the outraged, salvation has arrived! The Greta Thunberg Helpline has been set up just for adults angry at a child and needing to vent. read more

AOC stars in a movie about her 2018 election win

Netflix releases Knock Down the House

Netflix announces: “529 women ran for congress in 2018 — meet four of them in @knockdownmovie.” And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shares on Twitter: “Before my primary, three women & I agreed to film our journey of trying to run for office without big money. Now, #KnockDownTheHouse hits Netflix & select theaters next week, May 1st.”

Visit knockdownthehouse.com to find a screening or learn how to host one. Discussion materials available.

Iddris Sandu – the 21 yo genius that left Big Tech & Uber to share knowledge with The People

Iddris Sandu
Iddris teaching design via Apple

21 year old Iddris Sandu was born to parents from Ghana. At age 10 he taught himself a bunch of programming languages and at age 18 was consulting for Snapchat. He’s sold algorithms to Instagram and Uber and Google was so impressed with Sandu, they created an internship position just for him was he was 13.

But Iddris found himself, “wanting to help impact kids that looked like me, and being able to provide information to the masses.” So, he said goodbye to Big Tech and now teaches tech and design, makes music and inspires us all. read more