Generation USA
Generation USA

Generation USA, a national workforce development nonprofit, honored graduates on Nov. 2, 2022, its first in-person ceremony since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Jacksonville, FL. The event celebrated 17 virtual and in-person graduates of the Credit Union Members Service Specialist and Assistant Medical Administrative Generation training programs while commemorating the organization's new offices and classroom space in the Beaver Street Enterprise Center.

"It takes confidence and a belief in yourself to get you to this moment, but to the next moment, it takes everyone else's belief in you," said Samantha Beeler, President of the League of Southeastern Credit Union and Affiliates, during her address as Keynote Speaker for the event. "The secret sauce is how today came together, in that a lot of people believed in you."

Other attendees of the graduation ceremony included Career Source Northeast Florida and local business and community partners. After the ceremony, Generation provided a tour of its new Administrative wing, Student Center, conference room, and classrooms for in-person learning and meetings. Designers tailored the space to meet Generation's unique specifications thanks to financing provided by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a strong promoter of economic development throughout Jacksonville's Rail Yard District, where the offices are situated.

The Beaver Street Enterprise Center opened in 2003 as an initiative of the nonprofit FreshMinistries, Inc., which focuses on worldwide job training, health, and entrepreneurship. It offers space and resources to more than 50 entrepreneurs in two buildings, as well as technical support to hundreds of offsite small business owners. Generation's 4,000 square feet of office space occupies the last unfinished portion of the Beaver Street Enterprise Center's 15,000-square-foot building at 728 Blanche Street.

"We are very pleased to welcome Generation USA to Beaver Street," said Beaver Street Enterprise Center Executive Director Terrance Brisbane. "Its focus on workforce development across a broad range of fields contributes in powerful ways to companies large and small throughout Florida. Our organizations work to help individuals and businesses thrive, and we will do all we can to support Generation's efforts in Jacksonville."

Generation USA is a national workforce development nonprofit offering free online job training to help individuals thrive in what can be inaccessible careers for some. Its training and free technical education programs provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to earn jobs in medical administration, digital marketing, web development, and credit services. To learn more about the organization's mission and how it is helping to build a qualified Generation Now Network for the up-and-coming youth demographic, visit https://usa.generation.org/.

About Generation

Generation is a nonprofit that transforms education into employment systems to prepare, place and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible. The global pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in unemployment. Even before the pandemic, more than 75 million young adults were out of work globally and three times as many were underemployed — and 375 million workers of all ages needed to learn new skills by 2030. At the same time, certain jobs remain in high demand, and 40 percent of employers say a skills shortage leaves them with entry-level vacancies. To date, more than 38,000 people have graduated from Generation programs, which prepare them for meaningful careers in 14 countries. Generation works with more than 3,900 employer partners and many implementation partners and funders. For more, visit usa.generation.org.

Generation USA
Generation USA

Generation USA
Generation USA

Generation USA
Generation USA

Generation USA
Generation USA

Generation USA
Generation USA

Generation USA
Generation USA

Generation USA
Generation USA

The challenge of providing people with safe, clean working and living spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic will make health and hygiene central concerns in the future of building design. With accreditation from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2023, Violet Defense will create courses to educate architects on how they can incorporate UV disinfection technology into their core designs for sustainable buildings.

Violet Defense is an ultraviolet disinfection technology company founded in 2012 and the developer of patented pulsed xenon UV disinfection technology, proven in multiple independent lab tests to kill pathogens, including E. coli, salmonella, S. aureus, C. diff, MRSA, norovirus, coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2.

The concept of incorporating UV technology into facility designs is still relatively new. Since 2020, facility owners and managers have begun to retroactively install UV disinfection systems to improve cleanliness and provide a hygienic environment. However, architects have had little guidance on how to include the technology during the design stage and face a significant hurdle.  

For every element in their plans, architects must identify to what specification class it belongs. At this time, UV technology does not fall under any particular specification, with the closest correlation being HVAC purification. 

"We believe that, rather than seeing this as an impediment, architects should see this as an opportunity to be among the first to break into a new area of construction design, one that incorporates health and wellness from the very beginning," said Bruce Mosley, President of Violet Defense. "With AIA certification, we will create courses that will help architects incorporate UV disinfection technology into their designs right from the start."

Architects with AIA certification are required to take a certain number of AIA-accredited courses within a year in order to maintain that certification. Violet Defense will be developing both in-person and online course offerings. 

UV disinfection provides multiple advantages over conventional cleaning methods, such as automation, making it simple and easy for facility managers to schedule and maintain. UV disinfection also is chemical-free, reducing supply costs and the toxic effects of powerful cleansers. Studies also show UV disinfectant to be superior to manual cleaning, enabling disinfection of pathogens in the air and on high-touch surfaces. 

Violet Defense technology already is in wide use nationwide, including hotels, convention centers, colleges and schools, and amateur and professional sports training facilities.

For more information, visit: violetdefense.com 

About Violet Defense
Violet Defense is dedicated to UV disinfection solutions for a brighter, healthier, more sustainable future. Violet Defense provides trusted and efficient UV disinfection solutions that are sustainable, cost-effective, and protect the places you live, learn, work, and play. We are committed to your well-being and strive to give you confidence and peace of mind wherever you go. To learn more about Violet Defense and its initiatives, visit www.violetdefense.com, or follow us on Facebook or on LinkedIn (@violetdefense). 

Northwestern Mutual: Retirement can be a time to slow down, relax, and enjoy life, but it can also come with its fair share of challenges. For anyone embarking on their retirement journey, here are eight financial and lifestyle considerations to keep in mind:

1. Their budget: Retirees will want to have a good idea of all their retirement finances, including both their yearly and monthly budgets. This can help them make informed decisions about their spending and figure out how much they can afford on things like travel, new hobbies, and other activities.

2. How to get the most out of their money: Many retirees worry about whether they are making the most of their retirement savings. Retirees may want to consult a financial advisor to help sort out this information and provide guidance on how to make the most of one's money. From tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and a plan to weather market volatility, financial advisors can help turn a lifetime of savings into guaranteed income retirees don't have to worry about.

3. Their downsizing options: For some retirees, downsizing is a great way to simplify their life (and save money). Understanding what the options are for relocating to a smaller home can help retirees make an informed decision about what is best for them. It can help to get in touch with a real estate agent and discuss what options are available.

4. Their travel plans: Many retirees see retirement as a time to travel and see new places. For retirees who want to prioritize travel, it can help to plan ahead and research different travel options. Advance planning can allow retirees to keep an eye out for the best deals and make the most of their time.

5. How they plan to spend their free time: Retirement can be a great time to pursue new hobbies and interests. Some retirees may want to volunteer, take up a new sport, or join social clubs. Having a rough plan for how they want to spend their time can help retirees make the most of their retirement.

6. Their social circle: For some people, retirement can be a time to reconnect with old friends and family. Others may find that their social circle changes as they meet new people. Understanding how they prefer to socialize can help retirees make conscious decisions and plan for their retirement years.

7. Whether they want a retirement hustle: Some retirees find that they want to stay active and busy in retirement by starting a small business or working part-time. A job or small business can also provide a source of supplemental income. Retirees who choose to have a retirement hustle will also want to consider how to set up their business and whether they prefer to live close to work.

8. Their estate plan: Retirement can be a good time to review one's estate plan and make sure that it is up-to-date. This can include things like wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents, and updating beneficiaries for any permanent life insurance policies, like universal life insurance and whole life insurance. Talking to an attorney about these matters can help retirees ensure that their wishes are carried out. 

iQuanti: Finding a new psychiatrist can be tough. You have to put yourself out there and tell a stranger very personal things, all the while knowing you might have to start the search again next week if the doctor isn't the right fit for you.

Whether you're going through your insurance, getting a referral from your primary care physician, or just trying to find someone in your area—for example, looking for a Fort Worth psychiatrist—there are ways to make the initial search easier. It may take a few sessions to really know if you work well together with a new psychiatrist, but the initial appointment is the perfect time to ask a few important questions to see if you'll be a good fit.

What will the sessions be like?

Now it's time for the practical follow-up questions. How long will the sessions last, and how often do they take place? Different psychiatrists may have different ideas about what psychiatric help looks like—some may be more medication-focused, while others favor a more holistic approach. Find out how often they schedule check-ins, as you might need to try different medications and dosages to find something that works. These questions can give you a sense of what your treatment plan might look like.

Whom do I contact with an urgent issue?

Your psychiatrist may suggest that you go to the ER or a crisis mental health clinic if there's an urgent issue, particularly after hours. But it's worth asking if the psychiatrist can make room for you on short notice if need be. 

What's the process for booking sessions?

In other words: How easy will it be to get in touch with them? Are you able to book sessions online? Are the sessions themselves online or in-person? Do they charge a penalty for cancellations? And, crucially, how quickly will you be able to get your prescriptions refilled?

How do you keep information confidential?

Trust is paramount in any therapist-patient relationship. As medical doctors, psychiatrists are required by law to adhere to the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Feel free to ask what measures are in place to protect your information; you'll need to feel comfortable sharing if you want your sessions to be productive.

How much will sessions cost?

The first thing you'll want to find out is whether your insurance will cover your sessions. Depending on your insurance, copays can cost quite a bit—so a frank discussion regarding fees is paramount when getting to know a new psychiatrist.

How will you check in on progress?

You need a psychiatrist that takes you, your issues, and your thoughts seriously. Talk about how they might gauge progress and find out what questions they might ask you to see how you're adjusting to medication. Don't hesitate to look for a new psychiatrist if you feel your feelings and needs are being minimized. Remember, seeing a psychiatrist is for your benefit—you owe it to yourself to ask all the questions you need to be comfortable.

iQuanti: Your credit score provides lenders a way to measure how likely you're able to pay back a loan or credit card balance. They perform a hard credit check to check your score, also called a hard inquiry.

This slightly dings your credit score temporarily, but responsible use of credit quickly outweighs the damage. The trouble comes when you incur too many hard inquiries at once — this can do a lot more damage and cause credit application denials. This article will explain how hard inquiries work and dive into how to remove hard inquiries from your credit report.

How do hard inquiries work?

Lenders run a hard inquiry on you when you apply for new credit, such as new credit cards or loans. This lets them look over your credit score and history to make a lending decision. Many hard inquiries within a short time may be treated as one hard inquiry for certain types of loans, like auto and home loans. Credit bureaus understand the importance of rate shopping for these loans, so all hard inquiries within a couple of weeks may be lumped into one.

How hard inquiries impact your credit

Hard inquiries temporarily lower your credit score. When you don't have much of a credit history, they can have a larger impact. They also reduce your chances of getting approved for new credit if you apply too soon. For instance, if you apply for a loan one week after getting a new credit card, you may be denied despite having a good credit score.

Hard inquiry effects fade after one year. Each hard inquiry falls off your report completely after two years. So, applying for credit sparingly can minimize credit damage.

In general, having six or more hard inquiries is seen as too many. Having this many hard inquiries can significantly impact your score and make lenders more likely to deny you, even if your score is otherwise sufficient.

How can I remove hard inquiries from my credit report?

As mentioned, hard inquiries are automatically removed from your credit report two years following the date they were run. You can't remove legitimate hard inquiries earlier than that. For instance, if you apply for a credit card on Jan. 1, 2022, it will be removed from your report on Jan. 1, 2024.

That said, errors can happen. The credit bureaus may fail to remove hard inquiries from your report after two years, or you may get a hard inquiry through error or even fraud. Request your free annual copy of your credit report from all three bureaus and look for these errors. 

If you see any you don't recognize, do some research first — sometimes, the card issuer's name doesn't match the name of the company that actually manages the card. For instance, a retail store credit card account might be listed under the partner bank's name instead of the store name. 

If the hard inquiry is truly an error, file a dispute with each bureau immediately. Consider freezing your credit if you suspect fraud and stay in communication with the bureaus until the inquiry is removed.

Keep hard inquiries to a minimum

Hard inquiries may hurt your score temporarily, but the long-term positive credit history you can build is well worth it. Since six or more hard inquiries are seen by lenders as problematic, and hard inquiries fall off your report after two years, wait at least six months between new credit applications. 

Additionally, check your credit every year by requesting your free annual report from the three bureaus and dispute any hard inquiries that look incorrect. Keeping your hard inquiries down and cleaning up your report will allow you to enjoy the benefits of responsible credit usage to the fullest.