Gentrification is bringing conflict between longtime residents of old neighborhoods and new arrivals. It is a housing, economic, and health issue that affects a community's history and culture and reduces social capital. My goal is to inform others about the ways we can help to find a solution to this situation and help those who are getting negatively affected by this issue, especially low-incomes who face this causing many homeless people to lose their households running a lot of danger in the streets.

(Edited by CAP - original submission Friday, 15 May 2020, 3:10 PM)

Students are graduating high school or college without the basic knowledge of how to manage money. 

We need to enforce gun laws as school shootings are on a rise when it can be prevented there is always a solution. Since just 2019 there has been 434 cases of school shootings and in total there was 2,160 victims that are now traumatized by an event that could've been prevented in multiple ways. Some solutions are that we can enforce programs to prevent bullying as that is one of the most common reasons as to why school shootings occur. To add on students should be given more lessons and opportunities to discuss mental health and proper coping mechanisms. 

Link to presentation :

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PBPLKH4HbkapwixBmJW-sRfloRiSdzzFg-ItMIahRzw/edit?usp=sharing

Problem: Homelessness

What is Homelessness?

• Homelessness is the state of an individual or family living without stable, safe, appropriate, and permanent housing. 

• In other words, homelessness is the state of not having a roof over your head and having to live in an unsafe environment like the streets.

Why Is It An Issue

Homelessness is an issue because it makes people vulnerable and it exposes them to an unsafe environment.

People who are going through homelessness have limited access to many necessary things for example:

• Healthcare

• Food

• Hygiene necessities

• Technology (for school)

• Clothes 

• Etc. 

Because homeless individuals are living in an unsafe and unhealthy environment, they are susceptible to both physical and mental health issues.

Being homeless means you are vulnerable to many different health issues like:

• Chronic Diseases 

• Respiratory Infections

• Substance Use

• Mental health issues leading to Suicide and many more

Our Goal And Policy

Our goal is to make resources more accessible for homeless people in the cities of Los Angeles because they usually do not have access to necessary things like health care and food resources. In order to complete this goal, we would like to create a new policy where we fundraise money in order to create at least one homeless shelter per city in LA. Our ideal homeless shelter will give the resources that homeless individuals currently do not have. We would like to give medical attention both physically and mentally, food resources, clothes, hygiene necessities, technology for kids to do their homework, and overall create a safe place for homeless people.

People who are homeless have limited access to many necessary things for example Healthcare, Food, Hygiene necessities, Technology (for school), Clothes

Goal: Reduce the amount of trash in the streets near very populated areas in Los Angeles.

Public Policy (enforce): Increase more lawful enforcement of abiding laws, such as fines for littering.

My goal is to make feminine hygiene products more affordable/ accessible for women of low income as they are a necessity. Although feminine products are exempt from sales tax in California, they are still not included in food stamp programs. Including hygiene products in food stamp programs will help the women out more financially than the few dollars they save with the sales tax.

Problem/Issue: In my community it’s hard to find trash cans and recycling bins on sidewalks leading to people just throwing trash on the floor while they’re walking.

Goal: To reduce littering and clean up our streets.

Public Policy (Create): Add trash cans and recycling bins on sidewalks where there’s a lot of foot traffic to make it more convenient for people to throw trash away in the corresponding places.

Problem/Issue: In my community it’s hard to find trash cans and recycling bins on sidewalks leading to people just throwing trash on the floor while they’re walking.

Goal: To reduce littering and clean up our streets.

Public Policy (Create): Add trash cans and recycling bins on sidewalks where there’s a lot of foot traffic to make it more convenient for people to throw trash away in the corresponding places.

For our civil action project, we are focusing on the stay at home order and the unforeseen impacts that are caused by it. There are two aspects to this project: mental health and underfunded communities. Along these issues, some of the questions asked include how are underfunded communities being impacted? How are the impoverished made more vulnerable? Why is our mental health being impacted? Are teachers being considered when thinking about mental health awareness? Are suicide rates increasing? One of the most talked about topics is free health care for all. We want to advocate for a free health care policy for everyone including the unemployed and undocumented. They are the most vulnerable at this time and when they need assistance with their mental health, they should have all resources to aid it. Mental health facilities and aid falls under health care. Therefore, it should be a free policy to help those in need. Our main goal is to bring awareness for these issues and hope that everyone is staying positive in the midst of these uncertain times.

Hello, my name is Miriam Zendejas, I live in a Hispanic community where my high school's population is more than 90% Latinos. An issue that has always been common throughout my community would be college tuition. Considering that many students at my school have been accepted to their dream school but could not attend due to college tuition being so expensive, colleges and universities need to consider that not everyone has the same income and can provide for themselves. Furthermore, students who have been able to attend their dream school due to FAFSA and more scholarship opportunities, oftentimes it is a struggle for teens to manage both work, job, and more priorities. In a community such as the Hispanic community, these college tuitions have caused many drop out rates as the need for a work environment to help their family begins once graduated from high school. My goal for my civic action project is to raise awareness to the colleges and universities as well as low-income students that it should still be possible to accomplish your educational aspirations. My policy would be to enforce our counselors, and college advisors to encourage and promote more scholarship opportunities instead of students like me always having to investigate things on my own with no personal assistance and not enough motivation. Furthermore, the overall department of education should deeply consider the financial disadvantages that their household maintains. Especially now during this epidemic, considering that some people have lost more than just their job. 

Issue: There is too much gang violence in low income areas due to the lack of attention and resources they receive.

Policy: Increase not only police surveillance but more sports and activities that encourage the youth to take part in instead of leading into a gang.

Homelessness is a crisis which affects millions of people and is increasing at a fast pace. Not only do homeless people now have to worry about food, money, and not having a roof under their heads but communities around the nation see homeless activities such as sitting down or sleeping as criminal activity under law. Right now because of circumstances with the coronavirus homeless are not being seen as disturbances or targets for criminal activities but are receiving help to get tested for covid-19 and shelter. My goal is to be able to get justice for the homeless who are put this filter of criminals and are only given help under these circumstances, homeless ( lowest income people) should have access to health tests for free and shelter ( even after covid-19 ) and should not be stripped away from certain justices under the Declaration of Independence given to EVERYONE. 

How are you staying connected to family and friends during the current health crisis?

We are proposing for the High school for Community Leadership to implement a drivers education course into the school curriculum for students who are 16 years of age and older.  Our goal is to have this program implemented at the High School for Community Leadership for next school year. However, student behavior and grades will be a determining factor of eligibility into the program.

Some Questions about it:

What steps are needed to institute a driving class in the school?

Can students take part of the school parking lot?

Should the students get permission from parents to have the driving class?

Will low income students get a fee waiver for the driver’s ed class?

Will we be able to manage the price of Driver’s Ed classes? (are all programs $500 like Edison?)

Are there any equipments or books needed to be bought before taking the class?

Will be there any insurance policy in the driving programme?

How do you become a certified driver’s ed teacher?

At what time students will have that class?

Will be there any grading system in the driving class?     

What place the driving class will be taken?

If any equipments are needed, do the students have to bring it themselves or will the school provide it?

We need scanners to be in all NYC public schools. Air conditioners are about to be mandatory in all schools yet lives are being taken, and students are learning in  an unsafe environments which is why majority of these school shootings and stabbings come from schools with low security . What are we doing about it ? Something has to be done and security and scanning is the answer . Recently in Urban assembly for wildlife conservation 2 kids were stabbed and one died. In this school there was little to no security and their were no scanners. Now in a time where we need more education a school is being shut down because of a lack of security.  There are over 1,700 public schools in NYC yet in the school there are only 193 reported Scanners that would ensure the safety of our students.

Does Rachel’s challenge have the potential to kill bullying? Why or why not?

We are proposing a modification of the enforcement of students found with drugs in our school. Students who are caught with drugs in the school should be given more harsh disciplinary consequences. Provisions for the removal from the classroom and from school property and school functions of students and other persons who violate the code; e. provisions prescribing the period for which a disruptive pupil may be removed from the classroom for each incident, provided that no such pupil shall return to the classroom until the principal makes a final determination pursuant to Education Law section 3214(3-a)(c), or the period of removal expires, whichever is less. In HSCL, you are sometimes punished with in-school suspension, which means that you are still exposed to other students and you are put into a designated area to do your work. Those who are caught in school with drugs should be expelled.

I’m a senior from Dr.Maya Angelou Community High School   & we're doing the CAP project for our senior portfolio.My project was the Thanksgiving Food Giveaway.During the giveaway we handed out turkeys,canned goods,boxed foods etc.

-is it a good idea

-any suggestions

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehxVw8BFyj6BC-BICXq95BhHOXvV6SSakALgVn6NBISrAvFw/viewform

1. Is South Park a place you would consider going to at the moment ?
2. Do you think it needs remodeled  ?
3. Do you consider it a safe place ?
4. Would you recommend someone else South Park as a 'to go' place ?
5. Are more activities needed?

Does anyone have some insight or ideas that they can share to further our plan to build a better community?

-Your neighborhood needs some help ?

-would you like our future generations to live in trash ?

-How do we reduce drug use in South Central?

1. What problem, issue, or policy do you propose to work on?

I propose to work on enforcing the policy, of requiring all state police officers to wear a body camera because if all police officers wore body cameras evidence of how and what happened during a police interaction would be no argument. For example, an article from AmericanQuarterly.org, by Shira Scheindlin, states a case in which 5 officers, under oath said that the suspect had “failed to use a turn signal,” due to this, the officers pulled the suspect over, checked his car, found marijuana and arrest the suspect. However, a video that was recorded from the officer's car, shows that the suspect was immediately arrested and then the officers checked his car. This case clearly showed the importance of camera and how easy it is to lie and get away with unfair treatment. Also, from this case and many others, by enforcing body cameras, officers will become more cautious before using any kind of force, unless lives are in danger.

2. Provide three claims as to why you believe this is a problem, and describe how each claim affects people in your community.   

Firstly, requiring body cameras for all officers provides clear evidence in is a case of discrimination or mistreatment towards or by the officers. This will protect the people in the community by giving them evidence to backup their claims when in such a position. Secondly, enforcing body cameras on officers, will make officers more cautious before using force or discriminating towards someone, due to the fact that they will always be watched. This will protect the people in the community from unnecessary force or discrimination from officers. Lastly, body cameras, will improve citizen behaviors towards officers because knowing that they are being recorded, they have less of a chance of acting up towards an officer. This will improve the community by promoting good behavior from all.

3. How is the problem or issue related to policy?

Enforcing body cameras on all state police officers is related to policy, because it is a policy on it’s own that needs to be enforced amongst all officers. This being a policy, will make it required to follow which will lead to a safer community.

4. Why do you want to work on this? Why do you think it is important? Introduce your claim, supply relevant information and evidence, and provide a concluding statement.

I want to work on this issue to prevent cases like Michael Brown and Eric Garnes, in which police brutality and discrimination has no evidence and the officers can get away with these deaths. In such cases where lives can be taken without cameras, and discrimination can be overlooked.  Body cameras on all state officers are very important to enforce good behavior to and from officers, which from the statistics given by Scheindlin show that after the enforcement of police body cameras, the complaint level of police behavior has dropped immensely