We applaud our national leaders for pledging to invest federal resources to support youth employment, including workforce development, transitional jobs, and paid work activities. Despite their promises, we have not seen results. And we’re tired of waiting.
It’s been a hellish 18 months to say the least. With upticks in violence and ongoing fear of the police in our communities, we have shown up by rising and raising our voices against structural racism. With dread about the climate crisis unfolding across America’s backyards, we continue to call for environmental justice.
At work, we saw unemployment among our 16–24 age group spike to around 27% at the onset of the pandemic. While jobless rates have since returned to pre-pandemic levels, young people remain unemployed at higher rates than other groups of workers.
We, young people, are demonstrating to policymakers that we also have a voice and a vote in political decision-making. Yet, among all the high-level talks about transformational change in Capitol Hill, many of us don’t see a strong connection to work or a clear pathway to economic opportunity in this next recovery package.
Earlier this year we sent a letter to Congressional leaders reinforcing the call that youth employment opportunities be included in economic recovery. We’ve talked with members of Congress and with the White House on numerous occasions. And last week we sent another letter.
We worked with Representative Chuy Garcia (D-IL) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), who introduced earlier this year a bold proposal that would create urgently needed good job opportunities for young people. We have taken part in multiple White House-sponsored roundtable conversations about promoting youth employment and connecting these dots with addressing the climate crises and achieving economic resiliency.
Our messages have been no short of pleading with lawmakers to make robust investments in youth employment a reality. We’re continuing to do our parts in the political process.
But the response from Congress has been lackluster and anemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic zero dollars have been directed to youth employment. Despite their pledges, we’re not sure our voice is being heard and uncertain our advocacy is making a difference. Today, while Congress fights with itself and calls for arbitrary cuts in critical programs and services, we continue to pay the price.
Our ask may not sound radical, but the urgency is no less meaningful.
This country’s commitment to supporting proven interventions for youth and younger workers will make all the difference between us getting connected to work and charting pathways to gainful employment or chronic underemployment, unemployment, poverty, and homelessness. Leaving young people like us and so many others out of the next recovery package will have significant economic consequences on our future work lives and the health of the communities we live in.
We’re tired of waiting. Congress it’s beyond time to prioritize youth and younger workers in the next recovery package and invest in proven programs. It’s the least you can do.
Aja Ellington, 32 years old, South Bend, IN, National Network for Youth, National Youth Advisory Council + Board of Directors
Dillon Bernard, New York, Content by Us and Youth Action Hour
Emily (EJ) Vélez, 20 years old, Berks County, PA, National Network for Youth, National Youth Advisory Council
Jaime Jimenez, 19, Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) Fellow, Chula Vista, CA
Jaizyha Jones, 19, New York, Youth Justice Fellow, Forum for Youth Investment
Marlen J. Mendoza, Iowa City, Iowa, The Forum for Youth Investment
Mya Mateo, 19, New York, NY, self-employed, NYEC
Jemely Reyes, 19, New York, NY, unemployed, NYEC
Shaquana Boykin, Opportunity Youth United
Yahanna Mackbee, Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) Fellow, Minneapolis, MN
