A Conversation with Entrepreneur Alex Peay
Rashaun Bennett of NYEC sat down with Alex Peay, the founder of Rising Sons to discuss his work and passion for helping youth better their lives and communities. While taking an untraditional path towards service, Alex wants more youth to understand the value and benefits behind social entrepreneurship. Q: Thank you for taking the time…
Read MoreTrain, Place, Organize: Building Worker Solidarity in a Tight Labor Market
Earlier this year the Boston Foundation released a series of papers on next generation workforce development called the Catapult Papers. The papers, written by Jerry Ruben, Executive Director of Boston JVS (with a contribution from myself on the untapped talent piece), articulated a new praxis for workforce development organizations in a tight labor market. The…
Read MoreEnsuring the Youth Opportunity Guarantee Works for Undocumented Youth
Undocumented youth are an integral part of the United States. Regardless of documentation status, immigrants contribute to our country—supporting their families, serving their communities, and contributing to local, state and national economies. However, the nearly 2.1 million undocumented youth under the age of 24 are often left out of opportunities and programs, and therefore face…
Read MoreTransition to the Green Economy: Vehicle for the Youth Opportunity Guarantee?
More than eight years into an economic recovery, the labor market is not bringing young people into the labor force. Approximately 4.6 million young Americans remain disconnected from school and work, according to Measure of America. Changing how the labor market works for young people requires a national strategy for systemic reform. A transition to…
Read MoreRolling Out New York State’s Green New Deal
On March 14, I attended an event in New York that was a rollout, of sorts, for the workforce side of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed Green New Deal for the state. Hosted by Philanthropy New York (longtime friend of NYEC Bret Halverson got me an invitation), the event was meant to align the efforts of…
Read More