New Side Generation

New Side Generation Project Collaboration of One Stop Employment Center

and Youth In Focus

Increase public awareness of how youth in Monterey county are impacted by the economy and generate support for constructive solutions

Research question

How is the current economy impacting the youth in Monterey County?

How & why are youth in Monterey County participating or prevented from participating in the formal economy?

How & why are youth participating in the underground economy?

What kinds of economic opportunities or solutions have youth created/do they want?

Definitions

Underground economy - illegal activities that generate profit - drug trafficking, firearms trade, sex trade, hustling, bootlegging & the African-American market.

Formal economy – involves legal exchange of money, specifically jobs; prices of products, housing & healthcare; & economic recession.

Methodology 13 youth researchers, 4 days a week, 8 hours a

day Sample: youth, business owners, parents, teacher,

etc. in Monterey county QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH:

300 surveys, 100 photos, 3 interviews

Findings

#1: People in Monterey County are negatively affected by the current economy.Over half of the people surveyed

are saving less & spending less on things they need.

Over half of employed people are seeking an additional or increased source of income.

Findings#2: The economy impacts different

racial groups in different ways.African-Americans are 3 times more likely

than Caucasians to have access to the underground economy.

○ 62% of African-American respondents said it was ‘very easy’ to find illegal work, in comparison to 37% of Latinos and 23% of Caucasians.

More African-Americans are un- or under-employed.

○ 75% of African-American respondents said they were looking for additional employment, while only 58% of Caucasians and 52% of Latinos indicated the same.

Findings#3: Because it’s hard for them to get legal jobs, youth experience economic pressure.

o68% of youth say they feel pressured to make money

o It’s very hard to find a job without a college education. People with no college degree were twice as likely to indicate that finding a job was ‘very hard.’

oYouth make up most of the underground economy

o73% total

o 43% between the ages of 13 and 17

Findings#4: It’s easier to make money in the underground economy than to get a legal job.

• Over 80% of people surveyed know someone in the underground economy, which provides easy access.

•74% of people said it was hard to find a legal job, while 58% said it was easy to find an

illegal job.

Findings#5: People get involved in the underground economy because they feel they have to be.

o Similar to the responses about legal jobs, most people in the underground economy said that they were trying to earn their income because of family pressure and in order to pay bills.

o Jobs are the best crime prevention: 92% of people said that fewer job opportunities trigger illegal activities.

Lessons Learned

Recommendations#1: More jobs in Monterey County. Specifically, there might be opportunities in the

areas of translation, & in the growing field of green jobs.

Translation jobs would benefit the growing Latino population of Monterey County, & everyone else be extension.

Green jobs are jobs that support the environment, like solar panel installation or green construction.

Recommendations

Recommendations

#3: Programs and incentives for hiring youth.

Our research jobs were created through the Stimulus Plan grants—we hope that continues.

Programs could include expanding One Stop’s One Stop’s Youth Employment Program.

Businesses could also receive incentives for hiring young people.

Recommendations

#4: Youth are assets.Youth have energy and ideasenergy and ideas—we have a

lot to offer!

Thank You & Acknowledgment President Obama One Stop Staff: Jill New One Stop Administration: Lynda Dunn BGC Bus Driver: Terry Ingram One Stop Employment Center – Monterey County Office of Employment Training The Seaside Boys and Girls Club BGC Teen Lead Staff: Chantelle Davis BGC Technology Coordinator: Casey Jones BGC Administration: Donna Ferraro ,Marlene Trotter, Michelle Slade, & Ron Johnson Project Consultants: Kim Stemler & Vinz Koller YIF Staff Members: Chela Delgado & Levana Saxon ProjectCcoordinator: Steve Murray Mrs. Diaz God and Jesus Our Friends and Family