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Young People at the Hill Take a Stance Against Youth Unemployment

Originally posted on votolatino.org on November 11, 2011
by Johanna N. Perez

Earlier this week, I joined about 40 college students and recent graduates in the “Jobs for Young Americans Day on the Hill” conference presented byYoung Invincibles. We visited the offices of legislators from both sides of the aisle to garner support for portions of the American Jobs Act critical to young Americans. The event was followed by a press conference where Sens. Ron Wyden and Benjamin Cardin expressed their support for the proposed legislation that would create jobs for young people.

Among the solutions proposed by the American Jobs Act is funding for job creation to ease the staggering 17 percent unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds.  Pathways Back to Work Fund, for example, proposes $1.5 billion to create tens of thousands of summer and year-round jobs for low-income youth.

Higher education was also a large component of their proposal for a long-term solution to the economic crisis.  They urged legislators to approve funds of the American Jobs Act that would include $25 billion to modernize K-12 schools and $5 billion for community colleges. These resources will ensure that the workforce of the future is prepared for the new demands in this global economy. This comes at a time when legislators are debating cutting $1.3 billion from the federal program Pell Grants, which would affect 500,000 students next year.

“[We realize] just how important education is not just for the individuals but also as a long-term investment for the economy,” said Rory Sullivan,  policy and research manager of the Young Invincibles. “There is no reason why we would ever cut back on this investment.”

This event was part of the Young Invincibles’ on-going campaign to encourage young Americans to take a proactive role in the issues affecting them. After the lobby visits, the Young Invincibles held a press conference to let the participants share their stories about facing the economic crisis. Recent high school graduate Levi Johnson from DC spoke about his aspirations to attend a four-year college but having to take time off from school to work and support his family. Meanwhile, Braden Dauer who graduated from the University of Maryland in 2009 is working at a restaurant and as a research assistant to make ends meet as he continues looking  for employment.

Legislators are starting to respond to  the advocacy and proactive efforts of young people across the country. Sen. Wyden, for example, is working to address youth unemployment inside congress. “Much of federal policy has pretty much glossed over young people, pretty much missed this generation,” said Sen. Wyden. “They’ve gotten the short shrift at best… It’s time to start looking at policy through the eyes of the young people that are here with us.”

Johanna N. Perez is an intern at Voto Latino. She is currently a Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies and Political Science double major at the University of California, Irvine.