Explanation
BACKGROUND:
Over the past year, City Council created a Jobs and Economic Development Committee devoted to job creation and economic growth. Council also set aside a $2 million Job Growth Initiatives Fund in the 2005 budget for the purpose of actively seeking key job creation investment opportunities that employ Columbus workers and strengthen the City's income tax revenues to pay for critical city services.
Urban Concern has developed a program for middle school students in South Linden to develop job readiness skills, provide economic literacy training, and motivation to stay in school. Called the Job Club, the program operates five days a week for seven weeks in the summer. In 2005, twenty-six students participated. Of those, sixteen completed the entire program and 30% of the total showed improved knowledge. Personal economics, budgeting and basic financial skills are part of the curriculum, as well as the development of positive work ethics. Youth also receive hands on training working on community service projects. Participants are paid a weekly stipend and a like amount is deposited in a savings account for the student that is available upon graduation from high school.
Urban Concern tracks enrollment and conducts both pre and post-testing to assess success. Expected outcomes are that 80% will show improvement and 50% will aspire to attain a bachelor degree. Since inception, 58 students have reached graduation age, of which 29 have graduated from high school, and of those, 17 went on to college.
As an investment in Columbus youth designed to enhance their chances of a successful working career in Columbus, this venture is deemed an appropriate use of the Jobs Growth Fund by Council member Mary Jo Hudson, chair of the Jobs and Economic Development Committee.
Emergency action is requested so that the contract with Urban Concern can be executed immediately and to continue its work to facilitate job growth in Columbus.
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