yi fpresentation board of supervisors
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
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
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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?