On January 13th 2009, the Homelessness Research Institute of the National Alliance to End Homelessness released its second Homelessness Counts report. The report shows a 10 percent decrease in homelessness in the nation, from 744,313 per night in January 2005 to 671,859 per night in January 2007.

Black women stand apart from White women on a range of worries about workplace, education and health care issues. Major obstacles to their own progress over the next decade cited by greater proportions of Black women than White women include:

The Lagrant Foundation is now accepting applications for $100,000 in scholarships for the 2009/2010 academic year. Applications must be submitted to TLF by Friday, February 27, for consideration.

Operation No Kid Hungry, a campaign to raise funds to help end childhood hunger and encourage Americans to hold food drives, begins today. Between now and March 1, subscribers of all major wireless carriers can donate $5 to Share Our Strength by text messaging "SHARE" to 20222. AT&T will match donations up to $100,000. Share Our Strength is the leading national organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America.

Verizon Wireless employees, customers, and community members, donated 5,100 new, unwrapped toys, games and books at Verizon Wireless stores throughout New England as part of the 8th annual Kids In Need Holiday Drive. In addition to the record-breaking collection, employees and partners donated an additional cash and gift cards to be used by local domestic violence agencies to help fulfill their needs.

The YWCA USA is a founding partner of the January 17-19 Days of Service sponsored Presidential Inauguration Committee and many of its nearly 300 local associations will host community service projects and discussion sessions to increase racial tolerance.

As a result of legal action by three environmental groups, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today determined that more than three dozen states have failed to submit programs required by the Clean Air Act to cut air pollution drifting into national parks and wilderness areas. The determination means that EPA must work with the states to take corrective action or put in place a federal clean air plan.

As private and public sources of funding are squeezed by turmoil in the financial markets and a slowing economy, a growing number of museums are looking for ways to cut costs without compromising their missions, National Public Radio reports.

Two distinguished educators who have helped to train the next generation of community college leaders and improved access to higher education for thousands of students have been selected to receive the 2009 National Leadership Award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). For more than 30 years, Walter G. Bumphus and J. William (Bill) Wenrich have provided outstanding leadership for community colleges throughout the nation.

Today, the Rockefeller Foundation announced the opening of its 2009 New York City Cultural Innovation Fund competition. The fund, established in 2007, annually awards $2.7 million in grants -- ranging between $50,000 and $250,000 -- to spur and support cultural innovation in New York City's creative sector, a vital economic engine.