“Roberta” is a 21-year-old junior at a local college maintaining a 3.8 grade point average. She also works a full-time night job that pays $9.50 an hour. Combined with her student loans, it’s about enough money to survive. What keeps Roberta afloat is hope – the hope that opportunities, opportunities for a real career and a middle-class wage, will open up once she finally has her degree in hand. Then she can pass by surviving and advance straight to living, if only she can complete that degree. But completing her degree is not in the cards for Roberta. Not for right now, anyway. Roberta needs…

Homelessness among children and families is a growing problem in the Tampa Bay area, and there are many opportunities to help serve this community. Imagine being a child again. For many, this brings back memories of a simpler time, including days at school, your family home, gatherings with friends and relatives, and exploring the world from your own backyard. Now, imagine being a child who is homeless, and think about how that picture changes. In 2010, this was the reality of 49,886 children in Florida. In the Tampa Bay area, the most recent data collected reveal that of the 6,235 …

We never really know where our path and purpose may fall in life, and sometimes it may be a touching experience that changes our course completely. Known throughout the Tampa Bay area as a highly accomplished business woman and leader, Linda Burhans has always been passionate about helping others find their true happiness and bring out their inner strengths. Founder and CEO of The Party Crew Inc., founder of Professional Women Empower and CEO of SendACard123.com, Burhans has honed her gift of communication, and it’s how she changes lives daily. Burhans takes the time to share words of thanks…

When it comes to elder-planning considerations, many caregivers and family members are not prepared when something tragic occurs. Often, final wishes are unknown, and estates and assets left behind can be the cause for conflict as decisions need to be made on behalf of the person who has died.  There are many aspects dealing with elder law that families and caregivers should discuss early on so that the wishes of their loved ones are known and prepared in advance. Elder law attorneys play a critical role in helping families make sure they are not overlooking important issues that commonly …

Most of us are familiar with Hospice’s end-of-life care and support programs, but there are also many other services offered to caregivers and families. HPH Hospice, a not-for-profit organization accepted by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, is focused on providing bereavement support for all ages as well as support for caregivers of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Special veteran support is also offered to those who served, along with their families. All support groups are facilitated by educated counselors or social workers, many of whom are …