CHICACO – This banner, Jobs Stop Bullets, will be flying around Chicago later this afternoon.
According to the Alternative Schools Network, the banner will be in the sky around 1pm in the downtown area and plans to draw attention to Gun Violence and Crime caused by the extraordinarily high jobless rates for young adults ages 16-24.
“Millions of youths (16-19) and young adults (20-24) have little if any work experience and this translates to a lack of basic life skills such as showing up on time, working cooperatively, following instructions and ultimately filling their free time with safe and fulfilling activities and tasks. However, extensive and continued joblessness can lead youth to engage in illegal and dangerous hustles which often times lead them down a life-threatening path to guns, violence and death.” Alternative Schools Network said in a statement Wednesday.
“Congress has a chance to stop violence among youth and young adults. The American Family Plan should include $20 billion to employ over 3 million youth and young adults in high poverty, crime and joblessness areas in cities, suburbs and rural areas. This affects millions of youth and young adults, and a vast majority are white. Employment for these youth and young adults shapes their habits and strengths by their having first jobs and earning their own money working with local organizations that can help the youth learn the basic work skills.”
A roundtable discussion will be hosted later this afternoon and include Congressman Chuy Garcia, State Representative Sonya Harper, CEO of Metropolitan Family Services Ric Estrada, Craig Nash with Create Real Economic Destiny (CRED), begun and led by former US Dept. Secretary Arne Duncan, Executive Director of the Alternative Schools Network Jack Wuest, David Whittaker, Executive Director of the Chicago Area Project, and Emmanuel Jimenez, a youth for whom jobs have provided a powerful direction in his life.
