Jobs for Youth Campaign

In 2009, LI-CAN launched the Jobs for Youth Campaign, which is focused on expanding job opportunities for young people in Nassau County. This issue emerged out of hundreds of one-on-one conversations in early 2008 with youth from LI-CAN congregations who are in their teens and early 20s. In these conversations, LI-CAN leaders heard story after story about peer pressure, the negative influence of gangs in and outside of school, and a lack of both positive role models and opportunities. They formed a leadership team of young people that has since grown to include 30 to 40 youth.

The LI-CAN team has organized a number of public actions in this campaign so far, including a major organizational assembly in March attended by over 200 people. 

Among LI-CAN’s victories:

• In May 2009, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi joined with 60 LI-CAN leaders to launch the Nassau County Youth Employment Corps. This new initiative brought together all available youth employment resources in the county, including $1.6 million in federal stimulus dollars, to provide summer opportunities for 1,000 low-income and marginalized youth in 2009. At the press conference, County Executive Suozzi gave LI-CAN credit for making this issue a priority, and he has committed to continue working with LI-CAN to build on and expand the program in the future.