YOUTH CENTERS SEE HOPE IN SANDERS-BACKED JOBS BILL

[Donkees]

Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., John Conyers, D-Mich., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced a new bill targeting youth unemployment rates Wednesday. Photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger


JUL. 20, 2017, 5:43 AM BY ELIZABETH HEWITT

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON — On a steamy D.C. afternoon, several dozen young people packed into a basement room of Sasha Bruce Youthwork about a mile away from the Capitol. The crowd, many in their late teens, answered questions from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., about the difficulties young people face getting into the workforce.

“Here we’re talking about somebody (who) drops out of high school, can’t find a job. A year goes by, can’t find a job. Another year goes by, can’t find a job,” Sanders said. “What’s the likelihood of that young person finding employment, real employment?”

“Slim to none,” one young woman responded.

Sanders, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., visited the youth services center to announce legislation that aims to increase employment rates among young people.

The measure would put $5.5 billion toward creating job opportunities and increasing professional training for young people across the country. The money would be available as grants to states and municipalities.

The bill would help support organizations like Sasha Bruce Youthwork, according to Sanders. The group helps D.C. young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness access job-training programs, study for their GED, and many other services.

https://vtdigger.org/2017/07/20/youth-centers-see-hope-in-sanders-backed-jobs-bill/