Youth in Focus Project Summer Youth Employment Program 2009 One Stop Career Center Monterey County
Nov 10, 2014
Youth in Focus
Project
Summer Youth Employment Program 2009One Stop Career Center Monterey County
Four Teams of Youth Researchers STOP - Rancho Cielo, Salinas - Violence
Salas - Boys & Girls Club, Salinas - Drug Use
Peace – Center for Employment Training, Soledad- Youth Center
New Side - Boys & Girls Club, Seaside - Economy
What We Did… Each team:
Chose social issue to research Learned how to do action research Went out into community to research
We received national attention for our efforts
Boys & Girls Club Salinas
Salas Team
Salas TeamMISSION
• Bring awareness about drug use in Salinas• Create solutions for reducing drug use
COLLECTED:• 178 surveys 12 interviews 1 focus group
WHAT WE ASKED Why are so many youth in Salinas using
drugs? What kind of drugs are youth using? why?
WHAT WE FOUND1. 81% of Salinas youth & 93% of parents
believe they are negatively affected by drugs
2. 79% of youth said there are not enough resources in Salinas
3. 69% of youth said it was easy to find drugs, while only 18% said it was easy to find jobs
What type of drugs are Salinas youth using?
Why are Salinas youth using drugs?
Gender Findings 79% young men use drugs;
63% of young women use drugs 52% male parents have used
drugs; 40% of female parents have used
What would help youth NOT use drugs?
76% of youth said more jobs would reduce drug use
59% of youth said more free Young Adult/Teen Clubs would reduce drug use
Recommendations Youth led programs using
art to help build leadership skills & decrease drug use
Youth jobs & internships Resources & awareness
classes to parents & youth in English & Spanish about drug use
Soledad Center for Employment Training
Soledad P.E.A.C.E Project
MISSION • To find out if a youth center in Soledad
would reduce violence
DATA COLLECTED:• 127 adults surveyed• 100 youth surveyed
P.E.A.C.E. Team
Findings Majority of youth & adults in Soledad
want a Youth Center 90% of youth 99% of adults
A Youth Center in Soledad would help prevent youth violence
76% of youth agree 95% of adults agree
Recommendations City of Soledad should open a Youth
Center Families should be involved in the
Youth Center: Events Family Nights Parenting Classes
Parents should be educated on Gang Violence
Boys & Girls Club Seaside
New Side Generation
New Side Generation Project Mission:
Increase awareness of how youth in Monterey County are impacted by the economy
Generate support for constructive solutions
300 surveys, 100 photos, 3 interviews Sample: youth, business owners, parents,
teacher, etc. in Monterey county
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?
Definitions
Underground economy - illegal activities that generate profit - drug trafficking, firearms trade, sex trade, hustling, bootlegging dvd’s…
Formal economy - legal exchange of money, specifically jobs
FindingsPeople in Monterey County are negatively affected by the current economyOver half 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 The economy impacts different racial groups
in different waysAfrican-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 & 23% of Caucasians
FindingsMore African-Americans are un- or under-
employed○ 75% of African-American respondents
said they were looking for additional employment, while only 58% of Caucasians & 52% of Latinos indicated the same
Findings 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
Recommendations More jobs in Monterey County Living wage jobs Programs & incentives for
hiring youth
25
S.T.O.P. Salinas Teens Organizing for Peace
MISSION • Encourage adults to take an active role by
supporting youth in the fight against violence
COLLECTED:• 210 youth surveys • 23 interviews: youth, adults, community leaders
Research Questions Looking at violence caused by domestic violence, broken families, drug abuse & gang violence: How have youth been affected by
violence in their homes & community What resources & opportunities can be
offered to support youth who are dealing with violence
What Type of Individual Would You Characterize Yourself As
N=210 (check all that apply)
What Type of Violence Have You Been Affected By?
N=210 (check all that apply)
Was There Domestic Violence in Your Home As You Were Growing
Up?
Do You Associate with Gangs?
Why Do You Think Youth Join Gangs?
N=172
How Safe Do You Feel When Hearing About Gang
Violence in Your Community?
Recommendations Create & Support:
Mentorship programs for youth
Counseling – health, drug abuse, gangs, domestic violence…
Affordable vocational education
Job opportunities & paid internships for teens
Youth-led program where youth can have a voice
SUMMARY
WHAT WE ALL RECOMMEND Job opportunities & paid internships for teens
(including programs & incentives for hiring ) – include vocational training
Mentorship programs for youth More youth-led programs where youth can have a
voice (like this) Counseling – health, drug abuse, gangs, domestic
violence… Youth Centers & activities for youth in their
communities Parents to have resources, involvement& classes about
drug use, violence & other parenting issues
Thank You
Do you have any questions?