Inmate-Run Philantropic Programs at SCI Coal Twp Put Focus on Purpose, Community

Two inmate-led organizations at SCI Coal Township, Lifeline and TriumpH, are raising money through commissary sales and donating proceeds to community organizations while helping incarcerated individuals develop responsibility, purpose, and leadership skills.

Prison officials, participants, and community stakeholders argue that these programs support personal growth, foster accountability, and encourage inmates to give back to society, while maintaining an awareness of the impact their crimes have had on victims and families.

Supporters believe the initiatives contribute to a safer prison environment and may help reduce recidivism by teaching service, empathy, and practical life skills that can benefit inmates both during incarceration and after release. 



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Philadelphia Science Program for Girls Seeks New Home

Philadelphia’s long-running Women in Natural Sciences (WINS) program, which has achieved a 100 percent high school graduation rate and more than 96 percent college attendance among participants, has become an independent nonprofit after Drexel University and the Academy of Natural Sciences stopped hosting it.

Founded in 1982, the program provides science education, mentoring, field trips, and college preparation for Philadelphia girls with financial need, and alumni credit it with helping shape their academic and professional success in STEM and community leadership roles.

Despite losing institutional support and facing new operational challenges, WINS leaders and alumni are committed to continuing the program, securing a permanent home, and expanding awareness of its impact on generations of young women in Philadelphia.



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Things That Go Boom in the Night at Kings’ College Sparks Kids’ Curiosity on Science

King’s College’s hosted its 27th annual Halloween-themed science event, Things That Go Boom in the Night, where children participated in hands-on activities and watched exciting scientific demonstrations.

Organizers and faculty said the event is designed to spark young people’s interest in science by giving them interactive experiences with chemistry and physics in a fun and engaging environment.

The event brought together families, students, and college volunteers, who emphasized the importance of making science accessible and inspiring curiosity that could lead to future interest in STEM fields.



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Defining and Strengthening the Built Environment Workforce 

The United States’ built environment, including buildings, transportation systems, utilities, and public spaces, depends on a workforce of 15.3 million workers across 95 occupations who directly design, build, install, and maintain these physical assets.

Brookings Research finds that these jobs generally offer competitive wages but face significant workforce challenges, including an aging workforce, underrepresentation of women and minorities, and inconsistent pathways for training and career advancement.

Brookings Research recommends expanding recruitment of younger and more diverse workers, strengthening apprenticeship and career ladder opportunities, and integrating workforce planning into infrastructure and capital project development to meet future labor demands.

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How Colleges Can Help Students Access Basic Needs

An estimated 59 percent of college students experience at least one form of basic-needs insecurity.

There are several ways that colleges can address food, housing, transportation, health, and other basic-needs insecurities that affect student success such as hiring coordinated staffing, hosting awareness campaigns and community partnerships, and using data-driven referral systems to expand access to support services and improve student retention, academic performance, and degree completion.

The Urban Institute explores its evaluation of the Single Stop technology platform at 56 colleges and highlighting that basic-needs screening tools can help connect students to public benefits and community resources, but they are most effective when paired with staff support, outreach efforts, and broader campus strategies. 

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Americans’ Trust in News Organizations Up Since Last Year

A recent survey from the Pew Research Center reports that trust in both national and local news organizations increased between 2025 and 2026, with 62 percent of Americans expressing at least some trust in national news and 75 percent expressing trust in local news.

The increase was seen across political parties and age groups, although Democrats continue to report higher levels of trust in news organizations than Republicans, and local news remains more trusted than national news overall.

In contrast, trust in information from social media sites remained largely unchanged at 38 percent, with younger adults significantly more likely than older adults to trust and use social media as a news source.

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