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Hispanic and Latino immigrants make up one of Collier County’s largest yet most underrepresented communities. As of 2020, more than one quarter of Collier’s population was born outside of the United States. Still, immigrants in the area face numerous socioeconomic challenges — including access to health care.According to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Hispanic people are more likely to be uninsured than any other racial or ethnic group. A study published in March of this year by the Kaiser Family Foundation said that Hispanics in this country have higher death rates from diabetes than white people. That study used data from several federal agencies, and found the age-adjusted rate of death from diabetes for every 100,000 Hispanics was 29; it was 22 for white Americans.

Anyone who lives in southwest Florida is definitely aware of the rapid rise in housing costs — especially rentals — in recent years. It’s estimated that 40% of households in Collier County struggle with housing costs, and availability of affordable housing for essential workers and seniors in Collier is reaching crisis levels. More than 40,000 workers commute daily from outside Collier County because they can’t afford to live near their jobs.

West Nile Virus has now been detected in mosquitoes in both Lee & Collier Counties. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they feed on birds that have it, and it can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Both Lee and Collier Counties have robust mosquito control operations to protect human health, and human standard of living. And they have extensive monitoring operations to try and stay ahead of the flying pests, and track the presence of viruses like West Nile, Dengue, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Chikungunya, and Zika.

The Education Foundation of Collier County's Champions for Learning program was started in 1990 with a mission to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. They have programs for students designed to prepare them for their future learning and career goals, both college or occupation-based learning and skill building. Of the roughly 350 students they worked with in their mentorship program, 100% graduated high school last year, 33 of which took dual enrollment courses and 62 received industry certifications. Almost three-quarters of their students are slated to be the first in their family to go to college or receive any other kind of post-secondary education. We talk with their new President and CEO, and an alumna of the program to better understand what they do and the impact their programs can have.

Anyone who lives in southwest Florida is definitely aware of the rapid rise in housing costs — especially rentals — in recent years. It’s estimated that 40% of households in Collier County struggle with housing costs, and availability of affordable housing for essential workers and seniors in Collier is reaching crisis levels. More than 40,000 workers commute daily from outside Collier County because they can’t afford to live near their jobs.

The League of Women Voters began as a national, nonpartisan nonprofit political organization that was founded in 1920, just a few months before the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guaranteed women the right to vote. The Collier County chapter is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. One of their main information sources is Vote411.org. It’s a one-stop shop for information about who and what will be on ballots for each election. We learn about their new educational effort is a series of videos called Civics Unplugged which cover basic government functions like the three branches, the houses of Congress, Constitutional Amendments, and more.

There is an effort underway in Collier County to start a co-op for those who want solar panels. Such a co-op would help people save money when they add…

West Nile Virus has now been detected in mosquitoes in both Lee & Collier Counties. Mosquitoes become infected with the virus when they feed on birds that have it, and it can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Both Lee and Collier Counties have robust mosquito control operations to protect human health, and human standard of living. And they have extensive monitoring operations to try and stay ahead of the flying pests, and track the presence of viruses like West Nile, Dengue, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Chikungunya, and Zika.