Passion Project Topic Brainstorming

Homelessness in Minnesota:  To be without a home is one of the most painfully demoralizing things that can happen to an individual.  It is from our homes that we garner stability and happiness in our lives, and to see people on the streets, many of whom are working, shows me that we need more affordable housing.  Moving towards solving this problem also helps to eradicate poverty and ensure education for children of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_22732650/wilder-research-finds-homelessness-rising-minnesota-especially-among
http://www.startribune.com/local/north/271873871.html
http://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research/Research-Areas/Homelessness/Pages/default.aspx

Social Mobility and Income Inequality in the U.S.:  The income gap is increasing, and this is crippling our nation.  Hardworking lower class individuals deserve the same chance as wealthy citizens to live the American dream.

http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21595437-america-no-less-socially-mobile-it-was-generation-ago-mobility-measured
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/us-social-mobility-problem
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/12/05/u-s-income-inequality-on-rise-for-decades-is-now-highest-since-1928/

The Struggle of Racism Today:  The perceptions of certain races' abilities to succeed today are still segregating our society, and crippling lower class minorities.

http://hnn.us/article/156481
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alexandra-rosas/young-people-and-racism_b_5706851.html

Sexual Slavery:  There is still slavery around the world.  And much of it includes the terrible, misogynistic practice of selling teenage girls into prostitution.  It happens even in the United States, in which slavery of any kind is illegal.

http://www.businessinsider.com/a-portrait-of-human-sex-trafficking-in-america-2014-8
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/12/world/cambodia-child-sex-trade/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/15/human-trafficking-month_n_4590587.html

Child Obesity in the U.S.:  A substantial problem in the United States, severe child obesity is still on the rise, even after many efforts to stop this trend.  We must be on a mission to increase exercise and decrease the consumption of unhealthy, processed foods among children in the U.S.

http://www.freep.com/article/20140828/FEATURES08/308280166/kids-obesity-study
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/07/us-usa-health-obesity-idUSBREA361XT20140407
http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Obesity_In_Children_And_Teens_79.aspx