The Purple Elephant Computer Factory in Raleigh, North Carolina is providing low-income children with inexpensive refurbished computers to help them succeed in school and bridge the digital divide.

The 2008 New Mexico Children's Cabinet Report Card & Budget combines an analysis of youth outcomes with the state funding that supports them. Email Claire Dudley at claire.dudley@state.nm.us for a copy.

The newly named and restructured White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will be a resource for organizations, both secular and faith-based, to address the challenges of poverty, serve women and children, prevent teen pregnancy and improve the odds for young fathers. The Office will help "local groups learn their obligations under the law, cut through red tape, and make the most of what the federal government has to offer."

Stateline.org has released its annual "State of the States" review of significant state developments in 2008 and likely policy trends in the year ahead. And it's free -- making it a tool advocates can't afford to miss. Stateline.org also has the dates for each state of the state address on their website.

Join Youth Service America in mobilizing young people to improve their communities during the Semester of Service that kicks off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19, 2009. Semester of Service provides the framework and tools for children and youth, aged 5 to 25, to prepare a plan, take action to implement their solution, reflect on their progress and next steps and celebrate their success.

Mayors across the country are taking part in an initiative to set at least one locally relevant, measurable goal in each of the following areas to ensure that every child has:MAYORS

* Opportunities to learn and grow;
* A safe neighborhood to call home;
* A healthy lifestyle and environment; and
* A financially fit family in which to thrive.

The Challenge will highlight the importance of municipal leadership and innovation and help mayors find their collective voice on these issues. As of this week, 84 mayors have signed on to join the challenge. If your city isn't involved, why not nudge your mayor?

In September 2008, the Coalition for Community Schools launched an action plan with specific strategies to underscore the need for community-school partnerships in ensuring that all children are ready to learn and succeed. The plan is endorsed by numerous national and local education, youth development, community engagement, health and social
services organizations.

Louisville, Kentucky, has made great progress in bringing together agencies, organizations and programs to coordinate services for children and youth -- there's even innovative data sharing. The Forum for Youth Investment convened stakeholders to ask: how can a community come together to provide all children and youth a chance to succeed? Read
the full story and learn Louisville's answers.

This new report from the Kellogg Foundation, the Monitor Institute and Clohesy Consulting examines innovation theory and practiceand how innovation in the social sector could become a more consistent and reliable commodity for social good.

To borrow a tagline and flip it: what happens in Washington, doesn’t stay in Washington—far from it. Budget and policy decisions on Capitol Hill (and in state capitals across the country) have a big impact on even the smallest neighborhoods.