Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCalling for Creative and Sustainable Initiatives Addressing more Comprehensive Programming Youth UnemploymentAttes RESOLUTION 4355 -14 Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana April 28, 14 20_ Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana April 29, 20 14 City Clerk ident of Common Council Approved and signed by me A f R) L Z 41 20—L� . City Clerk RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, CALLING FOR CREATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES ADDRESSING MORE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMING, YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAMS CAC the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics "Unemployment Rates for Metropolitan Areas Monthly Rankings" shows that the "South Bend - Mishawka, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area" has a 7.6 unemployment rate, however the unemployment insurance has been extended resulting in an even higher percentage; and OXACu in the 44 -page January 2014 publication entitled In This Together: The Hidden Cost of Young Adult Unemployment, many alarming facts were highlighted, some of which included the following: • "Millennials aged 18 to 34 have now seen double -digit unemployment rates for over 70 consecutive months..." [p. 5] • "The youngest workers, aged 16 to 24, are even worse off, with unemployment rates well over twice the national average — at 15 percent..." [p. 5]; • "...one unemployed 18 to 24 year old will cost the federal and respective state government over $4,100 annually in forgone tax revenue and benefits received..." [p. 7] • `...each unemployed 25 to 34 year old will cost his or her federal and state government a staggering $9,875 annually..." [p. 7 }; and G}jC.,,y the Common Council recognizes that "Young Invincibles ", who authored the above - referenced publication, is a non -profit organization which seeks to "amplify the voices of young Americans and expand opportunity..." who were hosted by South Bend in 2012; and Wfmvd, unfortunately, many of the findings in the Young Invincibles report are also being witnessed in the City of South Bend, with far too high an unemployment rate of our youth, and limited effective programs in place to address these growing concerns; and CXLm4 many of the policy recommendations set forth in In This Together: The Hidden Cost of Young Adult Unemployment, such as expanding paid service in order to reconnect "young adults to the labor force "; reinstating grant programs; providing apprenticeship programs; and creating "career internships" are recommendations which should be pursued. Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, believes that addressing the following priorities would help jump -start needed opportunities for unemployment youth in our community, of building stronger partnerships with the South Bend Community School Corporation and therefore recommends that collaborative efforts be pursued so that the following objectives may become reality: That additional revenue be dedicated to the Martin Luther King Center and the Charles Black Youth Center for more comprehensive programming and entrepreneur programing opportunities; 2. That expanded partnerships between the City of South Bend and the South Bend Community School Corporation be pursued which include, but are not limited to: Resolution on Opportunities for Youth Page 2 Open access to gymnasiums and swimming pools Access to computer labs Developing vocational trade programs 3. That a Summer Jobs Program for Youth be expanded to provided year round internship programs; 4. That the City of South Bend create a City Welcome Wagon experience which would share information on key city services and provide opportunities to build partnerships with residents and businesses moving to the City; and Section II. This Resolution shall be in full force and approval by the Mayor. John Voorde, City Clerk ✓RESENTED NOT APPROVfd y-zB- i y Member 1 A . Oliver and after its adoption by the Council District Ma k Neal, Deputy Mayor of South Bend South Bend, Indiana � " lied h �'t. 'sr � 'D lice 77YY E i L....._._.__�,,._.__.___._. t .5n3Flt• '�' CITY CLERK, SO,:: >t 3Lm4, IN Oliver J. Davis President City of South Bend Common Council 441 County-City Building • 227 W. Jefferson Blvd (574) 235 -9321 South Bend, Indiana 46601 -1830 Fax (574) 235 -9173 http: //w ..southhendin.gov Derek D. Dieter Vice - President April 23, 2014 Valerie Schey Chairperson, Committee The South Bend Common Council of the Whole 4th Floor County -City Building Tim Scott South Bend, IN 46601 First District Dear Council Members Henry Davis, Jr. The City of South Bend has seen its fair share of violence over the past Second District During the last council meeting on April 14, 2014 1 made some At Large recommendations to the Deputy Mayor Mark Neal that there was an issue Valerie Schey with investment into our youth. The recommendation that was made Third District included but was not limited to a stronger partnership with the South Bend Community School Corporation giving more access to schools resources Fred Ferlic Fourth District such as the use of swimming pool, open gyms, and developing strong At Large vocational trade programs. The other recommendations were summer job David Varner programming, entrepreneur programs and year round internships. There Fifth District should also be a focus on bridging the gap between new residents and the city by providing them a catalog of services through a 'Welcome Wagon' Oliver J. Davis approach that was created by the city more than 40 years ago. Sixth District necessary revenue in excess of $10,000 for programming with added staff The City of South Bend has seen its fair share of violence over the past Derek D. Dieter several months in which 30 shootings have occurred since the new year At Large started. Clearly, there needs to be more focus on investing into our youth. Gavin Ferlic Programming over the summer has always been a priority however the At Large funding has never reflected the priority. The Charles Black Center which employs 4 full time employees and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Karen L. White Recreational center which employs 5 full time employees, have more than At Large 150 youth visiting these sites per day during the school year which is a large undertaking with only 3 -4 full time staff members on payroll. So to ensure that our youth have adequate resources during those months I am asking that the funds reflect the need. It is imperative the Charles Black and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Recreational centers receive the necessary revenue in excess of $10,000 for programming with added staff to ensure optimal programming over the entire fiscal year. The resolution before you is requesting that revenue is appropriated and allocated before summer break begins on June 11, 2014. With the rising cost of services provided by the Joan and Ray Kroc Center the price of membership is increasing and there will be an overflow of youth going back to the recreational centers during the summer months and beyond. I ask for your favorable support on this matter so we can better assist our recreational centers in helping to provide services for the youth of South Bend. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Councilman Henry Davis, Jr. 4ouncilman401iver Davis Councilwoman Valerie Sche