by Edward DeJesus

Though there are obvious direct benefits of a summer job creation program, we must look beyond the paycheck and economic stimulus that it provides. In preparing and planning for this prodigious effort, we must look toward the less realized benefit that it affords, which is the preparation of our young adults to break the grips of poverty and learn the skills that schools cannot teach. We must look to this opportunity to build and prepare our youth to be more than just wage earners, but also lifelong learners with a desire for continuous advancement and something more than a paycheck.

The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009, and its investment of 1.2 billion in youth summer job creation and training is going to give the youth service community the opportunity to put thousands of low-income young people into jobs, and they need to be mindful that a “job” is not a ticket out of poverty.  It is imperative that these efforts teach young adults the intangible benefits of a summer job -  documented work experience; positive adult support networks; knowledge of industry and the skills needed to advance.

It is important for youth service organizations to understand the importance of having youth successfully complete the summer job experience. Research shows that a series of documented, progressive job experiences during young adult years has a positive impact on future wages and opportunities. Moreover, summer jobs can give youth access to hidden labor markets.  It is a fact that the majority of available jobs are never posted in the newspaper or at the one stop center.   Most young adults from low-income communities do not have access to information about where the good jobs are because the majority of people in their community are unemployed. Finally, a summer job can validate the need for education and training. What’s the first thing you say when you realize you hate your job? “I got to go back to school!”

Fortunately for millions of economically disenfranchised youth, the opportunity to amass this small fortune, to learn these lessons, is now within reach. The ages of 14-26 are a young adults’ “opportunity;” not “wealth building” years. During these years, it is important to realize that wealth-building is not the goal. Instead it is a time to realize the importance of investments in things that will lead to future economic opportunity. Structured summer job experiences followed by year round developmental services can make all the difference.

President Obama got 23 million youth to the “polling place.” Now it is up to us to get thousands to the “market place.”  The youth employment rate is almost 3 times higher (20.8%) than the national unemployment rate (7.6%). For African American youth, it’s off the hook (33%). Layoffs abound, and the unspoken last hired, first fired rule is in effect. At the same time, drop-outs rates are escalating, violence rates are up, and many youth find themselves competing with college educated adults for a minimum wage job that will barely keep gas in their cars. With an economy that is plunging daily, the crisis of youth unemployment must be addressed – how do you spell FRANCE?

What Needs to Be Done
Research states that young adults who spend time in communities that are rich in developmental opportunities experience less risk and show evidence of higher rates of positive development. The American Recovery and Investment Bill’s investment is a nominal the first step.

There will be a temptation to get summer programs up quickly to demonstrate that we are stimulating the economy, but it is a wasted opportunity unless we make sure that our youth receive something more than a paycheck.

Edward DeJesus is the author of Countering the Urban Influence. He can be reached at www.ydrf.com

Reproduced with Permission

Photo by “Arden’s Way of Life“