Hand-Ups Not Handouts!

If we can feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the job market, as businesses make judgement calls on who needs work the most before cutting loose two-thirds of their employees, just imagine being a young person without the prospects of any social, creative, or lucrative outlets this year. And before we indulge into the trouble idle young hands can creep into, don’t forget to compound those issues with systemic poverty and racism already in place. School closures, loss of loved ones, absent social services, cancelled programming, depression, police violence, hostile political climate, and the list goes on. Today’s young people are facing unequivocal and unprecedented issues, yet they still need to compete for survival tomorrow.

Poor kids are tired of hand-outs. They need hand-ups instead! Young people all over the world are competing in the global business of commerce. “The abysmal job market for teens is forcing many of them to think differently about work.” Many are launching and managing babysitting, cleaning, dog walking services, or crafting, creating, selling, distributing items on online stores. And though innovation is born of necessity, how often are young people from poorer communities in America afforded the opportunity or the support to bring life to their ideas? The PYE finds, grooms, and supports those young entrepreneurs so that they may compete in the future of economy.