5A Identifying Local Opportunities


1)Student loans can create terrible burden - The Savage Truth
  • Terry Savage explains that the time to start realistically planning how to tackle the cost of college is when your child enters high school. But before then she exclaims you should already have been putting away money in savings. Student Loans are an extreme difficulty that affect the lives of so many American students and their families. Savage’s solution is to start saving from the time of birth rather than waste money on excessive toys, fast food, or faster internet service for their games. She recommends opening a 529 college savings plan that let the money grow free of tax for use at any college or university for a students necessities. She states that over 70% of student graduate with aggregated student loans however, only 18% of households have enrolled in the 529 savings plan. Contributions to the account can be made by family and friends, and little by little it can really go a long way. This may be a solution to the $1.5 trillion dollars in student loan debt outstanding in the US. 
  • The problem: The cost of public and private university being so expensive that American families can not afford it. They then build up so much student loan debt that they can not repay it. 
  • Who has this problem: College graduates who have aggregated such a large student loan that the struggle to pay it back delays starting a family, important job decisions or buying a home. It impacts the families of those children who have to either watch their loved one struggle or help them in any way they can. Consequently it effects those who do not attend college and can not get their desired occupation because they fear taking on student loan debt.  


2) Many Floridians lack awareness of hurricane risks, poll finds
  • https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASFLB%21Sun%2BSentinel%2B%2528Fort%2BLauderdale%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0911%21September%2B11&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E5E4DC8A066800 
  • This article describes the results from a poll conducted among Floridians regarding hurricane safety. As multiple hurricanes hit the Carolinas, and with Florida’s extensive history of hurricane damage, you would think that Florida residents would know what does / does not keep them safe. The poll found that only 8% mentioned garage doors as being a vulnerable spot in the house, 85% residents did not know that the typical hurricane deductible is only $5,000, and lastly 39% of people wrongly believed it is safe to place a generator in a room with an open window. 
  • The problem is that Florida is hit by low-damage hurricanes so often that people do not take hurricane threats and hurricane safety seriously. There are very serious consequences to not preparing for a natural disaster properly. For instance, a misplaced generator could emit carbon monoxide in to a home and kill an entire family. Some residents refuse to evacuate, others without proper insurance could lose everything they own and not receive any aid. 
  • The problem is shared by not only Floridians dealing with hurricanes but people who are affected by natural disasters around the world alike. Without proper preparation or a solid evacuation plan, a natural disaster can completely ruin your life and the lives of your loved ones. 

3) Young mother surrenders newborn at Davie firehouse
  • https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASFLB%21Sun%2BSentinel%2B%2528Fort%2BLauderdale%252C%2BFL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0914%21September%2B14&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E6E1080B2B2D38 
  • This article is about a young mother who took her newborn baby girl to the Davie Fire station yesterday morning and left her in the care of the fire fighters without a word. I was particularly astonished by this news header because my family home in south Florida is not even a mile away from this firefighter station. I was unaware of Florida’s Safe Haven Law that had been put into effect in 2000 that allows parents to relinquish their unharmed new borns, no older than one week, to fire stations or emergency room without persecution. After the baby girl was dropped off at the station, a firefighter took her to a nearby hospital for an examination and care. Named Mariola, after a kind volunteer at the station, she is the 13th Safe Haven baby of 2018 and the 287th infant surrendered since the law passed in 2000. 
  • The problem: The problem is week old new borns being abandoned by their parents. However, the article describes a solution to this problem, and although unconventional it is better than the termination of the child or he / she being raised in an environment that can not support them. But at the same time, the child will have to be brought up in the adoption / foster care system and will most likely be impacted by the fact that they were abandoned as a baby. 
  • Who has the problem: Parents young or old who are not ready or willing to bear the responsibility of raising a child. 


4) Police: Fake contractor stole from 87-year-old

5) Dogs and cats arrive in Florida ahead of Florence and Isaac

  • With Hurricane season in full effect, residents of Puerto Rico and South Carolina are sending their pets to The Humane Society of Broward County in Dania Beach. More than 60 dogs and cats have been sent their in fear that they would be in harms way with their original families. A van full of 14 dogs, 22 cats, and one bunny arrived after an 8 hour drive from Beaufort, South Carolina. Following a wellness check and some rest, each of those furry friends will be considered permanent residents of Broward County and available for adoption. Although it may have been sad to part from their pets, the owners made a noble choice by sending them to a safe place where they will not be harmed.  
  • The problem: Hurricanes do not only effect the wellbeing of humans but, destroy the habitat and endanger the lives of animals as well. If not looked after, these animals have almost no way to defend themselves from a hurricane or tropical storm. It is up to the owner to decide if they will be kept safe during a natural disaster. 
  • Who has the problem: pet owners who live in an area that could potentially be harmful for their animals. This also applies to the countless animals that are not considered pets but must brave the storm nonetheless. 

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 15, 2018 at 4:01 PM

    Good afternoon Emily,

    I could definitely see a huge opportunity in your 5th article. Some sort of service to help people get their pets out of the area before natural disasters. It would not only be helpful for the owners but also be beneficial for the pets. I don't know if you felt the same but I found that many of these local problems do not have easy answers for a definite opportunities.

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  2. UnknownSeptember 16, 2018 at 6:36 PM

    Hi Emily,

    I really like the first and second examples you chose because they are especially relevant to our age group. I agree with your student loans example, loans are leading young adults to have outstanding amounts of debt and potentially lead them to bankruptcy before even starting a family. I am astonished by all the facts I read in your second problem! I did not know how ignorant I was to all these hurricane risks. Thanks for spreading that information!

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  3. UnknownSeptember 17, 2018 at 10:08 PM

    Hi Emily,

    Your final article about the pets coming to Florida really hit home with me. I am a huge animal lover and knowing that these owners cared enough about their pets to let them come to a much safer place makes me so happy. Rescues can be great places for animals because they ensure that only loving people with quality homes adopt pets. About a year ago, I adopted my dog Griff and he one of the best things to ever happen to me. Without humane societies and animal rescues, I would've never found Griff and that thought is a terrible one.

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