Homelessness and student learning

As increased foreclosure creates more homelessness and children change schools frequently, learning suffers. The author surveys the research and makes a case for urgent action.Homeless persons ; Education

The perils of identity fraud

Among the fastest growing crimes in the country, identity fraud involves the acquisition of credit in someone else's name. What can you do to protect yourself? Julia Stewart of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston explains.Consumer credit ; False personation ; Identification cards - Forgeries ; Fraud

Building sustainable communities

Local Initiatives Support Corporation and two nonprofits are launching a new concept in Rhode Island. Through its Sustainable Communities program, LISC will assist the organizations in conducting resident-led planning to ensure buy-in for improvements in targeted neighborhoods.Community development - Rhode Island

By the numbers: data and measurement in community economic development

Highlights of a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke at the Greenlining Institute’s 13th Annual Economic Development Summit in Los Angeles, April 20, 2006.Community development

Breaking barriers & building communities

Communities & Banking taps the wisdom of Rev. Steinle, the executive director of Hartford’s Christian Activities Council, a faith-based, nonsectarian organization focused on affordable housing and empowering the poor.Housing - Connecticut ; Poverty - Connecticut ; Community development - Connecticut

Historic preservation meets community development

For years, community development and historic preservation operated in their own worlds. Today a new awareness of common interests is enabling collaborations that produce benefits for all.Community development ; Historic preservation

Participation in brownfields redevelopment

Brownfields are problems for many communities. But they also can be opportunities. Laura Solitare of Rutgers University describes her research on what engages people in redeveloping the brownfields located in their neighborhoods. Her research relies on four case studies in Boston and four in Houston.Brownfields - Massachusetts ; Brownfields - Texas

Needed skills versus available skills: an assessment tool is launched

Economic development often founders on a mismatch between available workforce skills and companies’ needs. A tool that analyzes critical sets of labor market data not previously considered in tandem can help local governments improve planning.Labor market ; Labor market - Massachusetts ; Occupational training ; Occupational training - Massachusetts

Building Vermonters' credit

Vermont’s CASH Coalition, which helps low-income people build assets, is expanding outreach activities to include more Free Credit Report Review Days, free tax preparation, and Earned Income Tax Credit advice.Consumer credit - Vermont ; Credit counseling ; Tax credits - Vermont

Refashioning my career with community in mind

Plans change. Elizabeth Hart was in law school preparing for further career development when she decided to launch an independent nonprofit organization to help women move from welfare to work. She's learned a lot along the way, and she uses that knowledge to support women and their families.Women - Employment ; Public welfare