whynot's place to fret re: NYC youth employment

Subject: whynot's place to fret re: NYC youth employment

Hopefully this will keep me from posting such things on only tangentially related threads.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703315404575250871702814074.html?mod=WSJ_NY_MIDDLELEADNewsCollection

http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Education/20100518/6/3270

lots of stats:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/downloads/ppt/Dr_a_sum_pres_nyc.ppt#354,1,The Deteriorating Labor Market and Economic Well Being of the %


“Say Yes to Youth” Rally

The New York City Youth Alliance is continuing its campaign to restore funding for after-school programs, summer jobs, GED and adult literacy and other youth development services. Yesterday, hundreds of youth, parents, community leaders and advocates gathered for a “Say Yes to Youth” rally.

“This budget disproportionately impacts New York’s children and families,” said Anthony Ng, Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy at United Neighborhood Houses. “Without after school and youth development programs, there will be fewer opportunities for youth to engage in positive, enriching activities and develop skills necessary for success. Cutting youth programs also unfortunately increases the likelihood that we will see more youth on the street, greater instances of youth violence and delinquent behavior, and more parents struggling to both maintain their jobs and look after their children.”

Robert Kleppel, a parent from Queens, questioned the Department of Youth and Community Development proposal to eliminate Out of School Time programs in certain zip codes. “We don’t have less need than anybody else,” he declared. “The Samuel Field Y after school program means so much to me. Without it, I would go back to the usual – going home and just sitting there,” said Kleppel’s son Justin.

“Without my after school program, I also don’t know what I would do,” added Everett Sparkes of the CAMBA KidsWorld Out of School Time program which is slated to be closed in July. “There’s so much you can learn and do in the program.”

The long-term impact of these cuts was front and center on the minds of many. “People can always be heard saying ‘our youth, our future,’ so why not invest in their growth and development now?” asked Marlena Starace of Queens Community House, which runs a Beacon program at JHS 190. “Budget cuts to Beacons greatly impact our ability to properly prepare youth with the positive skill set they need to succeed in life.”

Robert Nuxoll of the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation’s Champions Club program at PS 70 listed all of the things that young people will have to do without next year if the cuts go through. “Kids won’t have access to hands-on science, sports, dance, computers, multicultural literacy, and arts programming. They will no longer be able to go on wonderful trips to institutions in and outside of the city. Our youth are going to miss out on critical learning and enrichment opportunities that help them develop.”

Parents and concerned community members called on the Mayor and City Council to restore important programs at risk in the proposed FY 2011 City Budget, including:
• $12.2 million for Out-of-School Time Programs
• $8.5 million for Beacons
• $6 million for Runaway and Homeless Youth Services
• $3.8 million for the After Three Program (The After-School Corporation – TASC)
• Summer Youth Employment Program Jobs for Teens