OE Report: April 2009

One Economy Helps People Understand & Prevent Swine Flu

In response to an expanding international outbreak of H1N1 flu, or swine flu, One Economy has customized its emergency preparedness and health resources to help families learn more ways to stay healthy and safe.  

On the Beehive, users will find flu safety tips, links to trusted information sources including Centers for Disease Control, and practical advice on hand washing and other precautions. The Public Internet Channel is keeping visitors up-to-date at its blog, PIC Current, with the latest news about swine flu preparations in easy-to-understand language.

Despite the availability of comprehensive information from disaster experts such as the American Red Cross, most Americans remain unprepared for an emergency. Particularly among low-income people, there is still a resource gap preventing people from obtaining quality information on what steps to take and when. For example, Americans with annual household incomes below $25,000 are more likely to believe luck is more important than preparation and that it's not possible to prepare for a major disaster. They are also more likely to wait for help in the event of a disaster instead of taking action.

One Economy's media properties have helped hundreds of thousands of people prepare for all kinds of emergencies, including outbreaks of disease and natural disasters. In 2008, One Economy partnered with Allstate to train local 'Community Fellows" to help families and organizations in New Orleans create more than 1,000 customized emergency preparedness plans.  Last year, One Economy also created the Ike Help Center, an online resource for people affected Hurricane Ike.

Scenarios USA and the Public Internet Channel Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness Online

This month, The Public Internet Channel (www.pic.tv) began airing four films that look at HIV/AIDS from youth perspectives in partnership with Scenarios USA, a nonprofit organization that that uses writing and filmmaking to foster youth leadership, advocacy and self-expression. This HIV/AIDS compilation contains films written by youth in response to the Scenarios USA "What's the REAL DEAL?" writing contest and directed by some of Hollywood's finest directors, including: 

·         Reflections,  directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Secret Life of Bees)
·         Just Like You Imagined, directed by David Frankel (Marley & Me)
·         Nightmare On AIDS Street, directed by Kinan Valdez (El Teatro Campesino)
·         The Monster, directed by Academy Award winner Adam Davidson (Lunch Date)

Rob York, the managing producer of film for Scenarios USA, said, "We couldn't be more pleased about partnering with the Public Internet Channel. It's an exciting network with programming that compliments our mission perfectly and gives us an opportunity to bring our message to many more people."

One Economy Honors AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteers During National Volunteer Appreciation Week

During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, beginning April 19, One Economy recognized 12 AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers helping to connect communities around the country to technology. These volunteers are part of a national network of Americans who give one year of their lives to full-time service, building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of nonprofit and public sector organizations.  1200 organizations around the country host VISTA volunteers as part of their efforts to fight illiteracy, to improving health services, and fostering economic development for low-income communities.

At One Economy, VISTA volunteers bring technical assistance to low-income communities and individuals through a program called Connected Communities. Working with local partner organizations, the Connected Communities program provides a sustainable solution to poverty by linking low-income people with technology tools they can use to improve their lives and building capacity and sustainability for a community digital inclusion plan. 

One Economy would like to thank Michelle Brasseur, Benjamin Clapp, Kevin Corbett, Danielle Corbray, Sonia Davis, Elizabeth Egan, Elaine Golcher, Holly Kalemeris, Mamie Johnson, Brian Kelly, Katherine Masterson, and Laura Parewski for their hard work, tenacity, and selflessness.

RSVP: Join One Economy at TPS: Broadband Innovation

Join One Economy and the producers of Tech Policy Summit (TPS) at the inaugural TPS: Broadband Innovation conference on Monday, May 11, 2009 at the San Mateo Marriott hotel. Registration is free to anyone working for nonprofit, academic or government organizations; the corporate rate is $195.

Co-located with the 3rd annual Tech Policy Summit, TPS: Broadband Innovation is a daylong event designed to assist community and business leaders by highlighting broadband's many applications and offering best practices for improving Internet access and adoption.

Broadband has the potential not only to drive economic growth and job creation but to improve the delivery of education, healthcare, public safety and other vital services. TPS: Broadband Innovation will provide an in-depth look at state and federal efforts to improve broadband deployment and the call to develop a comprehensive national broadband strategy.

Sign up for TPS: Broadband Innovation today at http://Events.TechPolicyCentral.com to secure your spot. You can also save $100 off the cost of registration for the 3rd annual Tech Policy Summit, taking place May 11-13, with this Discount Code: 1ECON.

Jobs at One Economy

-Interns: Public Policy/Business Development, Junior Web Editor, Communications

Learn more about these job opportunities and how to apply.