School of Social Policy & Practice

Center for High Impact Philanthropy at Penn Releases Guide on ‘Giving Tuesday’

After “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday,” there is “Giving Tuesday.” “Giving Tuesday” highlights a practice that’s long existed. Traditionally, the holiday season and the end of the year have been active in terms of donations to charities and non-profit organizations. Nearly 25 percent of philanthropic gifts will be made between now and Dec. 31. This year on “Giving Tuesday,” the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for High Impact Philanthropy will launch its first multi-platform guidance for donors who want to know that their end-of-year giving will make the greatest difference in the lives of others.

Jill DiSanto

Penn Researchers Find Number of Homeless Continues to Decline

Homelessness across the United States continues to decline, according to a new report co-authored by University of Pennsylvania researchers. In 2013, there were 610,042 people homeless on a given night. While 65 percent were living in emergency shelters or transitional housing, 35 percent were living in places not usually used for housing accommodations, such as cars, airports, parks, abandoned buildings or bus or train stations. Nearly one quarter of the homeless people counted were younger than 18.

Jill DiSanto



In the News


Newsweek

There is one major element missing from the debate on kids and social media

In an opinion essay, PIK Professor Desmond Upton Patton says that gun violence needs to be part of the conversation about how smartphones and social media impact young people.

FULL STORY →



The New York Times

We don’t see what climate change is doing to us

In an Op-Ed, R. Jisung Park of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that public discourse around climate change overlooks the buildup of slow, subtle costs and their impact on human systems.

FULL STORY →



NPR

Places across the U.S. are testing no-strings cash as part of the social safety net

Stacia West of the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the School of Social Policy & Practice says that guaranteed income payments improve people’s psychological wellbeing by reducing their distress. Amy Castro, also of the Center, points out that such programs are expensive, so important questions need to be asked.

FULL STORY →



Irish News

New book examines sectarianism and the housing crisis in Northern Ireland

In her book “In Power, Politics and Territory in the New Northern Ireland,” Elizabeth DeYoung of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that sectarianism has contributed to the housing crisis in Northern Ireland and continues to influence decision-making on the needs for homes.

FULL STORY →



LA Times

California says its new gun law is about public safety. But what about these women?

Susan B. Sorenson of the School of Social Policy & Practice says there is no evidence that carrying a gun makes women who have been abused safer.

FULL STORY →