This is a very interesting article about harnessing cultural endowment to promote development in Africa. Apparently, Africa is behind in terms of technological innovation, but in field of cultural issues, Africa has the ability to lead the world with its huge natural endowment.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201412070116.html

This is an article about scientists and other organizations working together to invent an HIV vaccine. Scientists and researchers at the HIV Vaccine Translational Research Laboratory in New Delhi India, are working with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the Indian government's Translational Health Science and Technology Institute.

https://www.devex.com/news/the-promise-of-collective-action-in-shaping-global-health-markets-84881

This is a wonderful article about the North Rome United Methodist Church planning feed the homeless on Thanksgiving's Day. Community volunteers will also volunteer their time, and the church is asking for more volunteers. It is called the "Annual Community Love Feast".

http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/north-rome-umc-planning-community-thanksgiving-dinner-also-love-feast/article_d851125e-6d5d-11e4-9479-77016eb7a462.html

This is an article about a pastor in Fayetteville North Carolina named Reverend Rowden who is seeking to put an end to gun violence. He has instituted a gun buyback program. In exchange for guns people will receive gift cards…The amount with depend on the value and condition of the gun. Another council member in the community is collaborating with him.

http://abc11.com/news/fayetteville-pastor-offers-gun-buy-back-program/392994/

This is an article that talks about a campaign called "Joining Forces for Community Change" Individuals and community members are working together to better their community. It is a county wide effort in Indiana to raise money for nonprofit organizations that address issues such as education, health, literacy etc. In addition they are pursuing three initiatives addressing community change.

http://www.greensburgdailynews.com/news/local_news/joining-forces-for-community-change/article_d6aa40b0-f5e3-51dc-ba27-8f13ed6e6e3e.html

This is a great news article about engaging children in the voting and election process in Michigan. It specifically discusses having children attend while parents vote and also allowing them to engage in projects and meetings.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/engaging_children_and_youth_in_election_season

This is a great article about several churches coming together to help needy children and families for Halloween. The event was hosted mostly by St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Foxboro.

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/attleboro-foxboro-north-attleboro-wrentham-churches-brighten-up-halloween-for/article_1c286616-a16e-5fa1-b7fb-8adbc2abd1a6.html

This is an ad by Martha Coakley. I found it particularly interesting because she's advocating to turn the economy around. In addition, she talks about rebuilding communities all throughout the state. She discusses issues of recession, education, college, science, technology, and a career plan for our children...Most importantly she says that "We can make this happen."

http://www.wcvb.com/politics/martha-coakley-why-i-want-to-be-governor-of-massachusetts/28404384

This is a news article about teachers and parents working together in London Schools. It is imperative that we focus not only on what children are learning at school, but the issues they face at home. As the article mentions, schools should be nurturing and ambitious to help improve children's mental health.



http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/oct/12/school-parents-children-mental-health

Below is an article on Marines and Sailors giving back to the Boston Community: In July of 2014 in the Boston Community, Active Marines and sailors served veterans lunch at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans. These kind acts were to give thanks for their service…The Marines and Sailors then received a guided tour of their area. I'm certain this made more than just their day…Often veterans feel unappreciated and forgotten. Thank you to the Marines and sailors.

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/135372/uss-oak-hill-marines-sailors-give-back-boston-community#.VDItNhBdUQZ

This is a great video on civic engagement! Students from 10 different schools in St. Cloude Minnesota came together discuss how to improve the quality of life in their community. I love this because these youth are leaders in the community who seek to make change through action. Also at one Civic Engagement Leadership Conference over 4200 students discussed society based issues.

http://wjon.com/area-students-discuss-society-issues-at-civic-engagement-leadership-conference-video/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/americorps-volunteers-play-a-big-role-in-dc-schools/2014/09/21/dd746ec4-401d-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html

This is a great example of civic engagement. Here is an article of a school based volunteer Program in the Washington DC Schools. AmeriCorps volunteers assist with the literacy of children and focus on low income communities. In turn, volunteers get a small stipend toward their own education. It appears that this program is a win-win…Education is the focus of the program for both children and volunteers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uanl9nA3ObI

This video is a great example of civic engagement. As I have mentioned previously, my mother is a United States Marine…She is also a police officer. In observance of Veteran's Day she worked with a group of local middle school students in preparation for their Veteran's Day Celebration.

What was very interesting was that she practiced with the entire school. In honor of Veteran's Day she and students decided to pay tribute to a teacher that served in the armed forces. If you look at the video closely, (you can't see it clearly) the students in the audience saluted the teacher on stage for his service…What I learned from speaking with her is that the teacher that was called on stage had no idea that he was being honored. (If you look closely you can see a tear fall from his face.) This was very moving to me…and a perfect example of civic engagement. Students worked together and they paid tribute to another who served our Country.