Even in the midst of the #MeToo movement, college campuses across the country continue to see an increase in the number of sexual assaults, with a surge happening from the start of the fall semester until Thanksgiving break — otherwise known as the “red zone.” It’s not exactly clear if the increase in reports is because there are more assaults happening or more assaults are actually being reported, nor does the rise in reports confirm an epidemic, even in the face of high-profile cases. However, the behavior of men is being scrutinized more as a result of the #MeToo movement, and the stigma of speaking up about cases of sexual assault is easing up. There are positive impacts taking place for both current and past generations. Is this … [Read more...]
Tips for Seasonal Travel with Kids/Family
Photo Source: Pixabay The warmest days may be behind us, but that just means it’s time to fall in love with the new season! Grab the kids for one last camping trip, weekend getaway or road trip this autumn and enjoy the cooler weather, fall foliage and family fun. While you’re at it, hit the road with these travel tips — because you can never have too many: Leaf Peepr App Fall foliage fans may want to check out the Leaf Peepr app. It’s a fun way to create your own foliage report by posting photos, writing comments and rating the foliage in your area. You can also see a foliage map, other people’s photos, and find current foliage rated by hundreds of other leaf peepers. Before hopping in the car and … [Read more...]
Is It a Good Time to Buy a Home?
Whether or not it is a good time to buy a home is a multi-faceted question that depends on where you live, the current state of the economy and local housing market, and a lot of aspects of your personal life (such as life goals and who you are accountable for). Buying a home is a huge decision, and knowing when it’s the right time to buy a home is a difficult question to answer. However, there are many good indicators as to when you should buy a home that can help ease some fears that come with such a big decision and large commitment. Learning From History History has a tendency to repeat itself, and there is a lot to learn from the hard lessons our nation has experienced in the past. The 2008 housing crisis left a scar on hundreds of … [Read more...]
Do Nonprofits Really Help Developing Countries?
Many of us want to change the world for the better but don’t know where to start. Most lack the resources or connections to make a lasting impact on struggling communities. That doesn’t mean our good intentions have to stop there, though. Thankfully, there are amazing organizations that have already done most of the legwork for us; these organizations can use individual and business support in volunteer power and donations to aid developing nations. However, how can we be sure the agency we’re helping is actually doing what they’re saying? With recent news reporting how some nonprofits aren’t delivering on their promises or may be using funding for their own gain, it can make us wary of donating a single dollar to any charity. … [Read more...]
Helping Older Family Members With End-of-Life Issues
In 2016, Colorado approved proposition 106 titled “Access to Medical Aid in Dying,” which allowed eligible, terminally ill individuals with a prognosis of six months or less to live to request and administer medical aid-in-dying medication to voluntarily end his or her life. In 2017, 69 patients received participated, choosing to end their lives with little pain and at their own consent. The truth is that the end of one’s life is as inevitable as it is painful. Whether your family member is at this stage of their life or they are reaching it, it’s important to focus on what is within your control and accept that which is not. Whether you are dealing with an emotional decision such as medical aid in dying or a natural death, planning for … [Read more...]
Going to School with a Full-Time Job or Career
When 18-year-olds are pushed into higher education before really knowing who they are, it creates an unfortunate chance that they’ll spend a lot of time and money earning a degree in something they don’t care about, aren’t very good at, or just don’t see themselves focusing on for the rest of their lives. Going back to school becomes a desire for many working adults who already have degrees. Similarly, there are working adults who weren’t able to go to college when they graduated high school or turned the chance down because they didn’t know what they wanted to study. However, they have full-time jobs now, and though they want to go to school, their time and resources are a bit scarce. This article is for those two groups of people. … [Read more...]
How Tech Jobs Are Driving U.S. Career & Economic Trends
When we consider the industries seeing significant growth and change, there are trends that simply can’t be ignored, given their propensity to shape and distinguish both the personal opportunities and the economic realities of the country. Specifically, technology is changing everything. From the job sectors seeing growth to how and where those jobs are taking place. In Colorado specifically, the state ranks in the top five for private aerospace employment, concentration of high-tech workers and performance, as well as a STEM-based economy. But Colorado isn’t alone in its participation in the changing landscape of industries and the economy. Tech Jobs Are No Longer Just in Silicon Valley This will come as no surprise. One of the … [Read more...]
Why the Skills Gap is a Knowledge Gap
Nearly a decade ago, in October 2009, when the recession and unemployment was at its absolute worst, unemployment peaked at 10 percent. All the while the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that there were 2.1 million available jobs. What happened after that was unsurprising, but unfortunate all the same. Both sides of the political aisle saw a chance to make a political statement. The Republicans called out the unemployed for being lazy, while the Democrats claimed that the greed of corporate America was to blame — if they would only pay what they should. The focus was not the fact that those jobs existed; instead, the focus was on the debate. Why the Shift to College Education? High school graduates have attended college at far … [Read more...]
The Latest Educational Approaches to Autism
Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can develop skills at a different rate, and they may acquire them in a different order than their peers. This is because the disorder affects the way we interpret and communicate information. A learner with ASD may not be responsive, even when called by name, and they may not use eye contact and appropriate gestures when speaking. They may have difficulty focusing, staying attentive, organizing information, making inferences, and maintaining emotional control. These challenges can create severe barriers in a child’s educational journey — but they don’t have to. As a teacher — and especially as a person of faith — you have an obligation to help learners reach their full potential. There have … [Read more...]
Tax Reform and You: What Will 2018 Bring?
Image Source: Pexels 2017 has seen a number of different tax reform proposals, most significantly a revision of the current tax brackets and modification of various deductions, depending on the state where you live. Now, the Senate has passed a bill to drastically reform federal taxes. While it still has to be approved by the House of Representatives before it goes through, the bill holds massive potential to benefit businesses. While the proposed tax bill drew strong, controversial reactions from Democrats, there is no doubt that it would help increase businesses growth and success. Here’s how it could affect your next tax season if it passes. Business Tax Changes It’s no secret that Obama era tax reform did nothing to help … [Read more...]