Much has been written about the Great Recession and the impact it continues to have on our economy. It’s been seven years since the housing bubble began to collapse, triggering the worst stock market collapse since the Great Depression and a loss of an estimated $10 to $12 trillion in wealth in both the housing
READ MORE from Nonprofits Are Creating Jobs Even in Tough Times
Recent economic news has been brighter as of late with consumer confidence starting to move upward, and monthly unemployment rates and jobless claims declining. But every silver lining has a cloud, and that cloud are people who have been out of work for a long time. Nearly a third of Americans who were unemployed last month have been without a job for 26 or more weeks, double the rate recorded before the recession began late in 2007. Those out of work for extended periods of time are often less likely to be hired than those unemployed for shorter stretches. The result is a more devastating impact to household savings and long-term earning potential for those job seekers.
There’s a famous proverb about poverty and charity that says, “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” I’ve always thought this saying needed to be updated by adding, “…but teach a man to catch a lot of fish, to sell them at the market and to save his money to buy more boats, and pretty soon he catches enough fish for everyone.” Okay, it needs a little work, but you get my point. The challenge of course isn’t teaching the man to fish, or even to catch a lot of fish; the challenge is getting him to save his money. That challenge has never been greater than it is today.
This week, representatives from numerous national human services groups in the United States, including Goodwill®, participated in a discussion about a complex challenge that Americans have struggled to address for generations – how do we improve opportunities for people who have economic disadvantages? While the language we have used over the years has evolved from “poverty reduction and safety nets” to “economic mobility and opportunities,” such conversations inside the Beltway often visit and revisit the following two persistent challenges and implicated federal- level policy recommendations. 1) Programs and resources are fragmented, often overlap, and operate in silos; therefore, policymakers should enact legislation that fosters increased collaboration. 2) Public funding is limited and dwindling for programs that aim to lift people and families out of poverty; therefore, policymakers should protect funding for these programs. Let’s set the politics aside for a moment to look at Congress from a systemic perspective in order to examine why it enacts laws that perpetuate an underfunded and fragmented poverty-reduction system.
READ MORE from Poverty Reduction: A Tough Row to Hoe for Policymakers
National Employ Older Workers Week, held annually the last full week of September, recognizes the vital role of older workers in the workforce. It also showcases the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which provides on-the-job skills training to individuals 55 or older with limited financial resources. Since its inception in 1965, SCSEP has helped more than one million older Americans enter the workforce.Goodwill agencies in 14 states are providing services under the SCSEP program, and last year they helped more than 2,700 seniors put their years of experience and reliability to work in today’s workforce.
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Many from Goodwill®, including myself, are attending the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) Assets Learning Conference in Washington DC. The timing couldn’t be better, or more ironic. Six years ago this week, the world was hurtled to the brink of an economic precipice it hadn’t seen in nearly 80 years when Lehman Brothers, one of the oldest investment firms on Wall Street, announced it was filing for bankruptcy. Today, we still face challenges caused by the Great Recession. Too many are still unemployed; many more are working, but earning far less than in 2006 or 2007. And while the stock market has rebounded and stands 2,500 to 3,000 points over its pre- Recession high of 14,100, the middle class has significantly declined.
Recently I attended a discussion on citizen activism and coalition building. In order to advance the public policy priorities of Goodwill® and the people we serve, I often have to work within coalitions made up of broad interests. I also wanted to learn more about what motivates citizens to become engaged. Little did I know that the conversation would lead me to reflect on not only how the lessons learned can be attributed to my work and the work of Goodwill, but also my own personal experiences.
Congress comes back from the month-long August recess with a plate full of business and barely a month to finish before the end of the fiscal year on October 1. Here's a look at the key issues Goodwill is keeping an eye on.
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The sad facts are that the United States incarcerates more people per capita than any other country in the world, with approximately 2.3 million people in prisons or jails. Of the 700,000 people who are released from prison each year, approximately two-thirds will return within three years of their release. In response to these disturbing statistics, Congress enacted the Second Chance Act in 2008, which is up for reauthorization this year, to establish and shape programs that aim to help returning prisoners successfully transition back into and positively contribute to society.
READ MORE from Urge Congress to Renew Programs That Reduce Recidivism
“The workplace and skills that are needed has been changing rapidly. I was very intrigued by the partnership between community programs, technical colleges and businesses that you’ve developed. I’m so eager to hear from you today," said Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) upon visiting Goodwill/Easter Seals of Minnesota's construction and automotive training facility.
READ MORE from MN Senators Get a Front-row Seat to the Goodwill® Mission
As the nation’s largest provider of job training services, Goodwill® knows that work is one of the keys to successful reentry from prison. Congress is on the verge of advancing the Second Chance Reauthorization Act, which expands existing correctional education and employment initiatives; increases the number of grant programs available to nonprofits; and improves accountability. Goodwill supports this bipartisan legislation and urges Congress to pass the bill this year.
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Congress recessed last week until after Labor Day for its traditional August recess. For most of us, it’s a time for travel and vacations. Here in Washington, it’s also a time for reflecting on what has been accomplished and what remains to be done that can be done. So, here is a quick recap of this Congress’ achievement and what remains.
READ MORE from Congress Breaks on a High Note—But Defers Tough Decisions ‘Till the Fall
