Catholic Charities of Boston signs on to support youth jobs

05/20/10
(Boston)-Catholic Charities of Boston joins United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Boston Ten Point Coalition, Emmanuel Gospel Center, The Black Ministral Alliance of Greater Boston and Boston Capacity Tank in support of federal funding for youth jobs through the National Youth Employment Coalition.

The bill, H.R. 4213, the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act, endorses summer and year-round youth employment and training. The National Youth Employment Coalition letter reads, "Youth in the United States are facing an unprecedented crisis in employment. In April 2010, youth unemployment (16-19) remained close to its all time high at 25.4 percent. The Center for Labor Market Studies (CLMS) at Northeastern University estimates that the 2008 employment rate for teens is at the lowest rate in more than 60 years – 32.8% for all teens and 22.7% for black teens. The Center also estimates that individuals under the age of 25 represented 60% of the 1.2 million jobs lost last year. Youth and young adults ages 16-24 represent nearly a third of those who are currently unemployed across the country. Minority youth and young adults are often the first and last to feel the impacts of a recession."

We urge you to join us as we advocate for opportunities for thousands of youth to procure skills needed in order to succeed in today's workforce.