los angeles' homeboys travel to rural alabama

by: los anjalis

Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 09:00:00 AM PST

The video -- "Alabama's Homeboys" -- captures the critical intersection of rural poverty, joblessness, crime, race and youth, and leaves the viewer with more questions than answers, but is quite inspiring. The Times also provided extremely sobering socioeconomic statistics about Prichard, Alabama at the same link.  It's wonderful to see Homeboys Industries continuing their stellar work in the face of a financial crisis.  Folks who would like to support Homeboy Industries can donate money as part of Homeboys' "virtual carwash". And if you're in Los Angeles you can volunteer at Homeboy Industries, dine at Homegirl Cafe, or purchase Homegirl Cafe's salsa, now selling at Ralphs.  

(cross-posted at LAist)

the kids are alright (they're going to fix our health system, and I hear they're unstoppable)

by: los anjalis

Wed Dec 19, 2007 at 00:38:26 AM PST

One measure of the troubled state of U.S. health care is the hordes of idealistic young people lining up to fix it...

..."If you offer a seminar or class on health policy or politics, you'll fill it up. We can't meet the demand," said Oberlander, echoing a view heard on campuses across the country.

So VERY exciting.  Seems that much of the interest in health politics and policy is coming from a very personal space and a broader understanding of the importance of health -- domestically and globally:

The growing recognition of the quality gaps also motivates students. "More people within their own families experience the kind of life-altering events that make health hugely salient to them," said Mark Schlesinger, a health expert at Yale.

The surge in interest extends beyond political debate over cost and coverage. Public health programs in epidemiology, global health and environmental health are expanding as rich and poor countries alike face health risks ranging from bird flu and AIDS to bioterror and climate change.

Inspiring, indeed.  We're excited to have some youngins in the ranks of writers at this site too :>