1. To begin with, I am interested in investigating the decline in education of young adults in St. Louis. It is a problem that is facing many young adults around St. Louis and it is important to me because, in my opinion, high school education is extremely important for young adults to have. It allows them to have a basis to pursue vocational and educational training and be productive members of the society. The plight of the St. Louis city schools has created a great deal of uncertainity in the academic future of the youth of St. Louis and needs immediate attention and intervention. A few organizations that can help in this regard are "Turning Point" and the "Saint Teresa and Bridget After School Program".
2. The economic downtrend has left many unemployed in the St. Louis area, as the unemployment rate has stayed about 9.4% at the national level and has affected St. Louis citizens. There is a growing number of St. Louis people without healthcare coverage, but serious health problems that need to be addressed. This is important to me because I have had a personal interest in helping indigent patients at the "Volunteers in Medicine" clinic and am well aware of the long term impact of neglected health on an individual and its community.
3. With the economic problems in St. Louis, families have had difficulties in meeting their basic daily needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. It is important to me because I believe that these are the basic needs that should be afforded to all people and organizations such as United Way, Salvation Army, and food pantries around the St. Louis can help meet these needs.
