13-21 year olds apply by Jan 19 for free Freedom to Read Advocacy program
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 tiene $450 para regalar a los inquilinos
Inquilinos que arrendaron apartamentos en New Jersey en 2019 puedan ser eligibles para recibir un pago de $450 del Estado de New Jersey y la solicitud es sumamente fácil para llenar.
A special hand motion might be a distress signal
This is a hand signal victims of sexual and domestic violence may use to signal that they are in trouble Bystanders that witness this gesture are encouraged NOT to approach the situation but to call law enforcement right away.
For more information visit https://www.verywellhealth.com/tiktok-distress-hand-signal-5210298
The ADL has a Hate Symbols Database
If you’ve ever seen a symbol out there and wondered what it represents, wonder no more. Just turn to the ADL’s Hate on Display™ Hate Symbols Database. It provides “an overview of many of the symbols most frequently used by a variety of white supremacist groups and movements, as well as some other types of hate groups.”
Visit and check if the symbol you’ve seen matches any one used by a hate group.
The awesome video work of Ari Lopez Wei
Ari Lopez Wei is The Wei’s photographer, videographer and Media Manager. He’s also a living historian who educates people about what life was like for colored and black soldiers in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and WWI.
You can see Ari’s fotos and some video shorts on Instagram and his blog. If you want to know more about the header image on this page, here’s the full post where he reflects on birthdays, and the day it was taken.
Solicite ayuda esta semana para los daños de Fiona
New credit bureau policies on medical debt can benefit you
There are three new policy changes to medical debt recording that the major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – have pledged to uphold that can benefit consumers.
$9.4M para aliviar problemas con el agua en New Jersey y reducir los impactos del cambio climático
Gov. Murphy dedica $9.4M para aliviar problemas con el agua en New Jersey y reducir los impactos del cambio climático
How to get help from the Social Security agency
How to get help from the Social Security agency
The Port Authority will cancel $8.25 in commuter toll discounts – and says this is a good thing
The Port Authority will cancel $8.25 in commuter toll discounts - and says this is a good thing
California women being charged with murder for stillborn births
California women being charged with murder for stillborn births
NJ bill requiring school sustainability plans advances out of committee
Trenton – In an effort to ensure New Jersey schools are meeting the state’s environmental goals, the Senate Education Committee today advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Bob Smith that would require school districts to include an environmental sustainability plan in their long-range facilities plan.
“There are currently close to 600 school districts in New Jersey, and while they all vary in size, their facilities consume large amounts of carbon energy to keep them running,” said Senator Smith (D-Middlesex/Somerset). “With the climate change crisis resulting in drastic, observable changes in the environment, it is imperative that we meet our state goals to reduce the production and consumption of greenhouse gasses through expanding our use of clean energy. By requiring our school districts to look into means to become more sustainable, we can set a precedent for the rest of New Jersey to also find ways to be more environmentally friendly. We only get one Earth, and we must find real solutions to reverse some of the damage done by climate change before it is too late.”
Amanda Gorman’s “Hymn for the Hurting”
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/27/opinion/amanda-gorman-uvalde-poem.html
A poem to help America heal.
When passengers make racist comments, driver tells them to get out
A couple entering a Lyft driver's car immediately comments how nice it is to see a 'normal, white' driver who 'speaks English' – and are told to get back out.