How Can Subsidized Jobs Help the Most Disadvantaged Workers Recover from the COVID-19 Recession? [mdrc.org]

In the mid-1970s the agency I ran, The Winnebago County Council on Aging, received an influx of talent.  These individuals were the result of the war on poverty’s attempt to both strengthen community agencies and find employment for people who had little access to jobs before.  These people were successful in my agency enabling it to do far more work than it could have completed and were successful for themselves by developing the appropriate skills to proceed on to other non-subsidized employment.  They had several hidden strengths.

One woman who had several children was working as a clerk in our office when one of my volunteers had emphysema attack.  While other volunteers and staff were confused as to what to do she acted.  She called for an ambulance and assisted the person who had the attack.  When I later asked her about her reaction she said that when you have 4 kids you are used to dealing with emergencies.

Another woman who was a biker and used to repairing motorcycles became the person who, because of her mechanical skills, was able to operate and maintain our offset press.  She also became adept at doing layout work and design work for our publications.

I know that creating jobs and opportunities for people previously ignored can work.  It already has worked.  We need to try it again.