It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to gear up for back to school. For some, this year’s stress over backpacks and uniforms has given way to bigger issues such as social media, college applications and peer pressures. Today’s students face issues that most of us never even dreamed of, making 2019’s graduating class busier and more focused than ever. That’s why this year, we forego the usual back to school trend stories and asked one of our regular contributors, a high school senior herself, to take a look at the top issues facing middle and high school students. From well-covered struggles such as drugs and alcohol to newer challenges such as screen time, it’s an interesting and informative look at where students’ minds are this August.
Elsewhere in the issue we met up with local psychologist Dr. Ilisa Kaufman, who found a visual way to illustrate the importance of OCD treatment, a cause she passionately advocates for in her personal and professional life. Her “Tearing OCD Apart” campaign recently received national attention via a partnership with the IOCDF and distribution at the National OCD Conference in Washington DC. On a lighter note, we have, as always, spotlights on the movers and shakers making our communities stronger and more unified; the businessmen and women who keep our region ticking. Please continue to share these important and exciting moves with us.
Don’t forget to connect with us via social media. You can find us on Twitter (@FloridaVillager), Facebook (The Florida Villager), and Instagram (@thefloridavillager). You can also find us online at TheFloridaVillager.com.






Deering Estate
Massage Envy South Miami
Calla Blow Dry
My Derma Clinic
Sports Grill
The Healthy Kitchen
Sushi Maki
Golden Rule Seafood
Malanga Cuban Café

Kathleen Ballard
Panter, Panter & Sampedro
Vintage Liquors
The Dog from Ipanema
Rubinstein Family Chiropractic
Your Pet’s Best
Indigo Republic


ATR Luxury Homes


2112 Design Studio
Hamilton Fox & Company
Creative Design Services
Best Pest Professionals
HD Tree Services
Trinity Air Conditioning Company
Cisca Construction & Development
Mosquito Joe
Cutler Bay Solar Solutions


Miami Royal Ballet & Dance
Christopher Columbus
Pineview Preschools
Westminster
Carrollton
Lil’ Jungle
Frost Science Museum
Palmer Trinity School
South Florida Music
Pinecrest Orthodontics
Dr. Bob Pediatric Dentist
d.pediatrics


South Miami Women’s Health

The Spot Barbershop
My Derma Clinic




Miami Dance Project

Rubinstein Family Chiropractic
Indigo Republic

Safes Universe
Vintage Liquors
Evenings Delight





Atchana’s Homegrown Thai
Baptist Health South Florida

Laser Eye Center of Miami
Visiting Angels
OpusCare of South Florida



Your Pet’s Best

HD Tree Services
Hamilton Fox & Company

Creative Design Services


