Achieving Change Together

And first, literacy.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s quote about the connection between democracy and education reminds us of the essential role education plays in a free and thriving society. Roosevelt believed that for democracy to succeed, citizens must be educated not just in facts, but in critical thinking, the ability to make informed decisions, and the moral clarity to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, he argued, lies in an educated populace.

Education is the foundation upon which all democratic values are built. It is through education that individuals are equipped to challenge injustice, understand their rights, and contribute to the common good. A truly democratic society relies on its citizens’ ability to engage thoughtfully with the world around them and to participate actively in the democratic process.

Roosevelt’s vision calls us to reflect on the current state of education in our own societies. Are we fostering the skills of critical thinking, empathy, and civic engagement in the next generation? Or are we merely preparing students to pass tests without truly equipping them to navigate the complexities of modern life?

As we move forward, let Roosevelt’s words be a guiding principle in how we think about education. It is not just a tool for job preparation, but a vital force for sustaining and enriching the democratic ideals that bind us together.

Yes - double the benefits.

High school students fix up cars, then hand the keys to single mothers “Kids who never met me cared about me enough to put hard work into a vehicle to make sure myself and my kids were safe,” said Jessica Rader.

Yes - more, please.

Your broken toaster doesn't have to end up in a landfill. In Germany, something beautiful is happening in community spaces across the country. Volunteers are teaching people to fix their own stuff, one repair at a time. What started as a simple idea has become a movement that's saving money, fighting waste, and bringing generations together over coffee and soldering irons.

My grandfather was from Belarus.. Glad to see this.

Belarus frees political prisoners after talks Belarus freed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, key opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova and more than 120 other political prisoners Saturday, capping two days of talks with Washington aimed at improving ties and getting U.S. sanctions lifted on a key Belarusian agricultural export.

This is sad -and worrisome for our democracy. How can we turn it around?

Kids Rarely Read Whole Books Anymore. Even in English Class. When teachers do assign whole books, they often choose from a stagnant list of classics.

Sadly…
In a shutdown, the first to feel the pinch could be the mothers and young children who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food program.

Dune Lankard demonstrates what one person can do - a champion for native Alaskans and for the environment.

2025 James Beard Impact Awards Honoree Dune Lankard Dune Lankard, President and Founder, Native ConservancyAncestrally from and a lifelong resident of Eyak, Alaska, Dune Lankard is an Eyak Athabaskan Native of...

Great organization - investing in youth, offering pathways out of poverty.

Donate to Urban Alliance! Urban Alliance interns primarily come from low-income communities among the hardest-hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic, and interns rely on their regular paychecks. Please consider making a donation at any level to help our young people through this difficult time.

Yes! More, please.

Millionaire built 99 tiny homes to help homeless - Pubity Canadian based Marcel LeBrun sold his company in 2011 to Salesforce and used the heft sum of money to build 99 tiny homes to help tackle homelessness.

Heartened by the outpouring of civic-minded people and Cory Booker's leadership.

More, please. Hope Chicago's the first of many cities in the U.S. and abroad.

Chicago's municipal buildings are now powered largely by the sun To achieve its goals, the city helped finance the largest solar farm east of the Mississippi.

New nursing home regulation: min. .55 hr care by an RN. Proud to have served on Moving Forward Coalition that influenced higher standards.