What do you want to be at age 18? I just want to be alive.
There is a desperate crisis among
the youth in our city, and in cities across the country. The New York Times reported on Sunday, Feb.
21, 2016 that 30% of 20-24 year old
black men in NY City were out of work and out of school; nearly 50% in Chicago out of work and out of
school. In Anacostia, DC the official
rate for young people under age 25 not in school and not in work is 32%. We are losing the creativity, intelligence, and
productivity of a generation of African American youth. To evade this reality, we lock up even
juveniles in 16 and 17 years old in adult prison, taunt them on the streets with
squad cars, expel from school as soon as possible. Who do we think will be the skilled, capable
workforce of tomorrow if we do not start today to educate, train, mentor and
support young people Today?
It is this group of young applicants Jubilee Jobs is
focusing on with urgency. “Nothing stops
a bullet like a job,” says Homeboys in Los Angeles. Few places in society create instant
community, productive results, economic help and opening doors like a job in
the marketplace.
Along with employment right now, all applicants are in need
of additional education, skills and credentials. Washington, DC is littered with construction
cranes, building high end housing across the city, in every neighborhood, even
those traditionally affordable and modest communities. The construction industry is a tight
network. Inner city youth who see the
development next door to their homes and want to work have been unable to crack
the code. However, at Jubilee Jobs we are
beginning to unlock the system, and will send our first 22 year old applicant
to excellent construction training and access to apprenticeship
employment. This opportunity is in
Maryland because DC few construction and vocational programs available.
A focus group of older men who ‘have been there’ and whose
lives have been deeply affected by the failure of the society met to talk about
what we could do. “One said, “I am insatiable with helping people. I want to present.” Others said, “Age 15 and 16 is too late. You must get into the schools at a younger
age. “Music is a way to touch young
people.” Everyone wants to share their
lives, experience, and above all wisdom and caring. Education and trusted relationships with
wise, committed and caring persons are always the key components to succeed in
the journey out of poverty. .
The construction industry is just the beginning. Health care, hospitality, food service, youth
work, transportation, and entrepreneurship are among the industries we are
connecting with for partnerships, education and trusted mentors.
March 15, 2016 our
first construction trainees begin their C.O.R.E. program, the first step into a
career in the trades. Soon they will no
longer be watching the buildings going up.
They will be the builders.
