Elderly people will always hold a special place in my heart. I was really close with my grandma, she was my best friend until she passed away. My heart was completely shattered but this tragedy changed the way I view the world. I work at a nursing home and the best part of my day is talking to those residents. They are full of so much wisdom and have so many interesting stories. One thing I truly believe will improve the lives of the elderly people in my community is just listening to them and asking them how their day is. Most of them just want someone to talk to. It doesn't matter what it's about it can be as little as asking them how their day is or asking them how their grandchildren are. You can also help them with the little things. Like getting them a glass of water or helping them to the restroom. They just want someone to be their friend and only have love to give. I'm so glad I had my grandma in my life. She taught me so much and I always think of her when I talk to people her age. They are my favorite people to be around. I'll never get tired of hearing their stories or listening to how their day was. If everyone just showed them a little love I think their life would be hugely impacted.

Growing up in my house I never had good financial education. We've always been really poor, it's not easy for a little kid to hear she can't get a candy bar at the store because we may be kicked out of our house. I still hear that sometimes. Years ago I never really thought about it. Don't get me wrong I knew that wasn't good and my parents were stressed but I guess I knew they would figure it out. To this day they still manage too but now that I'm older I have a better understanding. I became very stressed and felt pressured to get a job so I could try to help my parents out and afford my own stuff. Now I hear about not having enough food stamps because the government thinks I, an 18-year-old who is still in high school, will be paying the bills. I feel as if it's my job to make money and sell my stuff so we can keep a roof over our heads. All these obstacles it has taught me to be a lot more thoughtful with my money. I'm not like most people my age. They go out a lot and spend money on things I see as a waste but they wouldn't understand because they don't know how challenging my situation really is. Growing up in a family that doesn't have money really impacts the way I see my future. Some moments I think twice about going to college because I won't be able to afford it and I'll be in debt for the rest of my life; however, on a side note maybe I'll become really successful and money won't be a problem. But seeing how both of my sisters and parents are living now makes me want to change the way I live. I love them with my whole being but I don't want to spend the rest of my life feeling this way. I want to go to college and further my education so I can get my dream job and be comfortable in my life. I want to learn how to make good financial decisions that will help me in the future and not set me back. I don't want to have to ask people to borrow money just to pay the bills or fill my car with gas. I want to be able to enjoy life to the fullest and be appreciative of everything I have in my life.

As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, this is a very loaded question to try to answer. I think if there was one correct answer mental health wouldn't be as terrible as it is right? These days there is so much pressure put on people. Get a job, go to college, pay your bills, make a family. As an average person with a normal busy life, we're taught that mental health isn't important and that staying busy and working is the only option. This is really hard to talk about but I became extremely suicidal. Not one day went past where I thought my life was worth living anymore. I soon had no hope for the future and never saw myself being happy. Taking it one second and one day at a time has really helped me. One thing that has helped me is having a good support system. I know this isn't available to everyone and that absolutely breaks my heart. I think as a society we need to be kinder to everyone because you never know what someone may be going through. Something as simple as telling someone you like their shirt and their smile makes you happy can make someone's entire day or even week. Reach out to people just to tell them you love them and you're thinking about them. Or simply sitting in the room with them even if they don't want to talk or do anything. Just giving them the option to talk and knowing someone will listen is one thing I believe makes a huge difference in an individual's life.