Florida veterans must focus on preventive health measures during uncertain times
The pandemic has stressed the Department of Veterans Affairs health system to it’s limits, especially here in Orlando where COVID numbers have been among the highest in the nation (story HERE). But the pandemic has only underlined what a lot of veterans find out the hard way eventually. The VAContinue Reading
Four important points from the House veterans suicide prevention hearing
This week, the House Veterans Affairs committee met with VA officials and important persons from the non profit sector to discuss veterans suicides. According to the 2021 report, Florida remains one of the leaders in cases of veterans suicides (story HERE) and has not allotted a great deal of fundingContinue Reading
We can’t be afraid of talking about veterans suicides in Florida
Sadly, Florida remains a leader in veterans suicides. The recent study revealed that 533 of our bravest took their own lives in the latest numbers (story HERE). And it looks like our plan to prevent veterans suicides next year will be.. a website. Along with existing prevention help lines. TheContinue Reading
Orlando needs an active community hub for transitioning veterans
Life in the military revolves around your unit. If you’re married, then that tight circle expands a slight bit. But when you transition out of the military, you’re all of the sudden alone. That’s what happened to me here in Orlando many years back. One week, you’re surrounded by yourContinue Reading
Future Orlando veterans, get your degree before you get out if you can
Goodness, I wonder what my first job hunting experience out of the army would have looked like if I already had my college degree. I mean, it was completely possible. College for active duty personnel is the real deal, and they try to get you in the classroom as muchContinue Reading
We have to let Orlando veterans know the door is open for help during these especially tough times
It’s hard to think of a more mentally challenging time for veterans since the Vietnam era. The mission in Afghanistan is ending. Suicide numbers in Florida are still among the highest in the nation (story HERE). It’s the 20 year anniversary of 9/11 and the beginning of the war againstContinue Reading
Five important points about the 2021 Florida Veterans suicide data
Veterans suicide is still a terrible problem here in Florida, as illustrated by the 2021 veterans suicide report published by the Department of Veterans Affairs this week. In the write-up that is staggered two years in reporting, 533 veterans took their own life. A number that is far too high.Continue Reading
Expensive tolls are more painful than ever for Orlando workers
A quick confession. There were times when I haven’t been able to afford taking tolls in Orlando. Take a stretch of the 417 I used to live next to near Lake Jesup. Each trip either direction cost $2.50. Each day that’s $5 Each week that’s $25 Each month that’s $100Continue Reading
Orlando tourism should worry about workers leaving if housing struggles continue
Would you rather pay $1100 for a one bedroom apartment? Or $700 for a one bedroom apartment? Would you rather live in a community where work, school, and play, exist within an easy to navigate community? Or would you rather struggle in tropical heat, moving across sprawl and suffering aContinue Reading
Predatory application fees are still feeding on struggling families in Orlando
Imagine if someone took $700 from your children? $700 in groceries. $700 in school supplies. $700 worth of clothing. Off of their backs. That’s what happened to one struggling Orlando family who had $700 in application fees taken from them but still finds themselves living in a Kissimmee hotel (storyContinue Reading