The Girl Scouts of America have formed a troop for homeless girls sheltered in a hotel in Queens, New York, in a part of town represented by a city councilmember who was himself homeless as a child and now regularly visits shelters in his district. He suggested the Girl Scouts could help, the organization waived its usual enrollment fees, and now 21 girls are receiving leadership training, merit badges, extra educational opportunities and the chance to serve others. (Sam Hodgson/The New York Times)