Should the Church Play a Role in Job Creation?

Editorial:


There should be no question that the Church in America should be engaged in the political process to create jobs for those people who are unemployed as a result of the Great Recession. The National Urban League is pushing for legislation that is designed to do just that. 


“This program would give city organizations the tools and resources they need to help our youth prepare for future jobs, find employment opportunities, and reach their full potential.”  New York Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand


Despite all the attention paid in recent months to spending cuts, there are some Members of Congress who agree with the National Urban League that the nation’s number one priority must be job creation and putting America back to work.  Months ago, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and New York Representative Edolphus Towns introduced the Urban Jobs Act that would provide much-needed federal funding to non-profit organizations engaged in preparing at-risk youth, ages 18-24, for the world of work. 


More than one-third of the nation’s minority youth are unemployed. But, even with 14 million Americans out of work, at least 2 million jobs remain unfilled because employers can’t find workers with the needed skills.  The Urban Jobs Act would help close that gap by targeting federal funding to assist urban youth, many of whom have dropped out of school or are in need of a second chance, in obtaining the education and skills necessary for success in the labor market.  This would help reduce youth unemployment, provide workers for open jobs and strengthen the economy.

The average unemployment rate for minority youths in urban communities in July was approximately 39 percent for African Americans and 36 percent for Latinos.  In New York, these minority youth are twice as likely to drop out of school and make up 80 percent of the city’s detention centers.  Clearly, we must make targeted, effective investments now to spur urban job growth and prevent the loss of an entire generation.  That is the real potential of the Urban Jobs Act.

The Act would create an Urban Jobs Program that would award competitive grants to national non-profit organizations, in partnership with local affiliates, to prepare youth ages 18 through 24 for entry into the job market. A national organization of this magnitude will need boots on the ground in each city. The Church in America is already engaged in this activity across the nation and should not be overlooked by this national organization.

The Church in America is already involved in educational programming, including skills assessment, reading and math remediation, educational enrichment, GED preparation, and post-secondary education;

The Church in America already plays a role in providing employment and job readiness activities, including mentoring, placement in community service opportunities, internships, on-the-job training, occupational skills training, job placement in unsubsidized jobs, and personal development; and

The Church in America already provide support services, including health and nutrition referral, housing assistance, training in interpersonal and basic living skills, transportation, child care, clothing, and other assistance as needed.

Our message to Congress is clear:  The time for debate and delay is over.  Pass the Urban Jobs Bill now and include the Church in America in this national effort.