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Out of School and Out of Work, City's Disconnected Youth Have Steep Hill to Climb, Report Says


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Mayor de Blasio at an announcement (photo: Ed Reed/Mayor's Office)


The pandemic's greatest health impact has fallen on older New Yorkers, but its economic effects are being deeply felt by the city's young adults.

The number of young people who are both out of school and jobless in New York City -- so-called "disconnected youth" -- has likely doubled since the coronavirus roiled the city beginning last spring, according to a new and long-awaited report from the city's Disconnected Youth Task Force.

The task force, which was created by City Council legislation in 2017 and appointed by Mayor de Blasio and Council Speaker Corey Johnson, found that while 1 in 8 New Yorkers between the ages of 16 and 24 were “disconnected” in 2018, the number is likely closer to 1 in 4 now. This means that about 25% of New Yorkers between 16 and 24 years old are out of work and out of school.

While this ‘disconnection’ had fallen throughout the previous decade, new problems have emerged and estimates suggest that job losses from the current economic crisis exceed the number of jobs created since the Great Recession in 2008. Disconnected youth in 2018 tended to be older and more educated than their 2010 counterparts, with close to three-quarters having at least a high school degree. But as they were a decade ago, disconnected young-adult New Yorkers are predominantly Black and Latino and are overrepresented in low-income areas with the Bronx accounting for the largest share of the five boroughs, according to the much-delayed report released last week.

The pandemic has exacerbated the problem: "Young adults who held jobs before COVID-19 are disproportionately likely to have fallen out of work in the months since then, as the economic sectors most likely to employ them—food service, hospitality, retail—have been among the hardest hit," wrote First Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson, who chaired the task force, in an op-ed recapping the report, including new city plans to address these challenges.

The upended economy and the shift to remote work and school has created a parallel matriculation and drop-out problem, with thousands of New Yorkers leaving their college degrees unfinished or failing to enroll altogether after being accepted in 2020.

The experience of being out-of-school and out-of-work in adolescence leads to lower earnings, diminished homeownership rates, and worse health outcomes later in life, the report states.

The Disconnected Youth Task Force was intended to look at the myriad forces driving youth unemployment and academic disengagement and offer recommendations to inform city policy. The report -- originally due in 2018, a year before the de Blasio administration even formally empanelled the task force -- focuses on prevention and reengagement. Meaning, preventing youth from dropping out of school and career pathways, and reengaging those who do.

It recommends efforts to center young people in the emerging industries of the city's COVID-19 response and recovery, creating standards for career planning in schools and city programming, and consolidating responsibility for disconnected youth into a single city agency or position.

Along with the report released last week, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a number of programs to engage and connect young people to school and job pathways. Among them is an initiative to support the enrollment of 5,000 recent high school graduates who have accepted offers from CUNY but never matriculated. The mayor also unveiled a number of apprenticeship and training programs through entities and agencies like CUNY, the Department of Youth and Community Development, and the Administration for Children's Services.

"The report of the Disconnected Youth Task Force provides policymakers the clearest picture yet of who our OSOW [out of school, out of work] young adults are, where we are delivering them effective services and where we must do better, and a comprehensive strategy to help every young New Yorker toward career success,” Thompson said in a statement.

The task force calls for the engagement of disconnected youth to be made a central component of the city's COVID-19 response, prioritizing them in contact tracing and other projects fueled by federal stimulus money.

It also recommends career readiness programs, like the mayor's 2019 CareerReady NYC initiative, be integrated and given more emphasis in middle school and high school.

The most overriding recommendation is perhaps the call to create a single office or position in city government responsible for work related to engaging disconnected youth, which would ameliorate current efforts described in the report as "disjointed and unfocused."

"The initiatives that the mayor announced line up in those three buckets" -- prevention, reengagement, and system-wide work -- "to some degree," said Stanley Richards, executive vice president of The Fortune Society and a member of the task force, in an interview with Gotham Gazette.

"The challenge for the task force and for this work going forward," Richards said, is "engaging non-profits and community-based organizations as part of the infrastructure," an element he said was embedded but not sufficiently discussed in the report.

He noted that many of the programs de Blasio announced with the report were within the city's jurisdiction and dealt with agencies under the direct influence of the mayor. The role of the city's network of nonprofit and community-based service providers "should be elevated on the same level in terms of initiatives, funding and support, and best practices and creativity that happen within a non-profit," he told Gotham Gazette.

"When we look at the adult education or young adult education community providers and the funding that's available, it was appalling," Richards said. "There should be a huge investment in that."

The Disconnected Youth Task Force is going to continue monitoring the city's progress toward the goals outlined in its report and the de Blasio administration plans to reconvene its members over the next couple of months, according to mayoral spokesperson Jose Bayona.

"As the City Council legislation passed in 2017 does not enumerate specific oversight powers and responsibilities, the Mayor's Office will continue to utilize the Task Force, both directly and as a vehicle to engage with other community stakeholders not among its membership, to effectively address issues related to Out-of-School/Out-of-Work young New Yorkers," Bayona said by email.

"This will include implementation and refinement of the initiatives announced on Jan. 19 as well as other possible measures to be developed, pending available resources," he added.

The administration did not say how much new city or private funding will go to the programs but Bayona noted that "the shift to remote programming has made some funds available."

"These new initiatives are being supported with a combination of leveraged funds from previous city investments and private dollars raised through the Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC," he said in response to Gotham Gazette inquiries.

The legislation, introduced by Brooklyn Council Member Mathieu Eugene, a Democrat who chaired the Council’s Committee on Youth Services at the time, mandated the task force issue its first report on March 1, 2018 and subsequent reports biennially until March 1, 2022, when a final report is due.

“As the prime sponsor of the legislation that called for the creation of the Disconnected YouthTask Force, I appreciate the committed efforts of multiple city agencies who are prepared to address this very important issue," Eugene wrote in a statement to Gotham Gazette. "The most important thing we can do for our youth is to not only engage them when they are young, but also to stay with them and provide a long-term support structure, so that we can prevent the patterns of behavior when they become disconnected from school and the work force."

Council Speaker Corey Johnson, a rank-and-file member when the legislation passed the Council and was signed by de Blasio, said through a spokesperson, "Speaker Johnson is glad this report is now finished. He looks forward to reviewing its contents in detail with Council Member Rose and their colleagues in the Council," referring to another sponsor of the legislation, Council Member Debi Rose, who is now the youth services committee chair.

For Richards, it is "important for our city legislators to know that some of these entrenched, systemic unjust systems and processes that some of our hardest hit communities experienced can't get fixed with a slogan or a bandaid," he said, adding, "we need to really look holistically at this."

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by Ethan Geringer-Sameth, reporter, Gotham Gazette
     

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Decision NYC: Kathryn Garcia Discusses Her Run for Mayor


Kathryn Garcia mayor testifying

Kathryn Garcia testifies at the City Council (photo: John McCarten)


Kathryn Garcia, a Democrat running for Mayor in the 2021 election, joined MNN's "Decision NYC with Ben Max" for an in-depth discussion of her candidacy for the city's top job. This interview is part of a series produced by Manhattan Neighborhood Network. Watch:

Read more: Decision NYC: Kathryn Garcia Discusses Her Run for Mayor

A Brief Guide to the City Council Specials Kicking Off the 2021 Election Cycle and Implementation of Ranked-Choice Voting


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Voters voting (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayor's Office)


New York City’s first ranked-choice election is underway in Queens. The crowded and competitive special election to replace former City Council Member Rory Lancman, who resigned for a position in the Cuomo administration, saw early voting begin this past Saturday. It will run through January 31, followed by election day on February 2.

While it is the city’s first election using ranked-choice voting, which took effect this year after being approved by voters in 2019 and only applies to special and party primary elections for city government positions, it is the second in a wave of City Council special elections happening ahead of the city’s regularly-scheduled 2021 election cycle, which will see primaries in June and a fall general election culminating on November 2.

Previously, Bronx Council Member Andy King was expelled for repeated ethics violations and a special election to replace him was held in December. That District 12 election saw Kevin Riley emerged victorious with 68% of the vote, beating Pamela Hamilton-Johnson (24%) and Neville Mitchell (3.2%).

Along with Lancman, several other City Council members — Andrew Cohen, Ritchie Torres, and Donovan Richards — have left their posts for other government offices in recent weeks, necessitating three other special elections, together effectively kicking off the 2021 city election cycle.

However, Riley and whoever wins the early 2021 special elections will still have to run again in the June primary and fall general election to serve the next full term. In the interim, they will be able to exercise the powers that come with the job of City Council member, including decisions affecting land use, legislation, and the city budget, while providing constituent services, for at least the remainder of 2021. Because of redistricting from the 2020 Census, all candidates will run for two-year terms instead of four-year terms. Nevertheless, winners of these special elections could end up serving through 2029 until term limits would mandate their departure from office. 

The ongoing Council District 24 special election in eastern Queens will be followed by one in Council District 31 in southeast Queens, the seat vacated by newly-elected Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. That special election will include early voting February 13-21 and election day on February 23. In Council District 15 in the central and south Bronx, Ritchie Torres who was elected to Congress, and in District 11 in the northwest Bronx, Andrew Cohen left his seat to become a judge — both districts will fill their vacancies via early voting March 13-21 and election day March 23. 

These initial runs for ranked-choice voting will help provide insights into the new voting system’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the June primaries. Ranked-choice voting in New York City -- again, only for special and primary elections -- allows voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives more than 50% of first-place votes, the candidate with the least first-place votes is eliminated and the voters who chose that candidate as their top choice have their votes redistributed to their second choice candidate. The process of elimination continues, at some point one candidate hits over 50% and becomes the winner.

Special elections for New York City government positions are non-partisan, meaning there are no traditional political parties used and each candidate must create a new party name for their ballot line and collect eligible voter signatures to secure the ballot spot.

Below is a breakdown of the four ongoing and upcoming City Council special elections, including candidate information, important dates, and district data. 

City Council District 11
Is in the northwest Bronx, covering neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Norwood, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn. (Map

Election Day: March 23, 2021

Early voting: March 13-21

The seat became vacant after Andrew Cohen was elected to a judgeship and subsequently resigned.

Candidates: Mino Lora, educator, nonprofit founder, and activist; Jessica Haller, climate activist and tech entrepreneur; Eric Dinowitz, teacher and Democratic district leader; Dan Padernacht, attorney and Chair of Bronx Community Board 8; and Carlton Berkley, retired NYPD detective. 

2010 Census district demographics: 39.4% Hispanic, 32.8% White, 18.5% Black, 6.7% Asian-American 

Housing: 72% renter-occupied, 28% owner-occupied

2013 primary election results: Cohen: 68.4%, Clifford Stanton: 31.6%

2017 primary election results: Cohen uncontested

City Council District 15
Is in the central Bronx, covering neighborhoods including Fordham, Mount Hope, Bathgate, Belmont, East Tremont, West Farms, Van Nest, Allerton, and Olinville. (Map)

Election Day: March 23, 2021

Early voting: March 13-21

The seat became vacant after Ritchie Torres was elected to Congress and subsequently resigned from the Council.

Candidates: Ischia Bravo, community advocate and executive director for the Bronx Democratic County Committee; Elisa Crespo, activist and education liaison at the Bronx Borough President's office; Oswald Feliz, tenant lawyer and adjunct professor at Hostos Community College; Latchmi Gopal, activist and civic leader; John Sanchez, district manager for Bronx Community Board 6; and Altagracia Soldevilla, community activist. 

2010 Census district demographics: 66.3% Hispanic, 24.9% Black, 4.9% White, 2.3% Asian-American 

Housing: 92% renter-occupied, 8% owner-occupied

2013 primary election results: Torres: 36.1%, Joel Rivera: 21.3%, Cynthia Thompkins: 20.9%, Albert Alvarez: 9%, Raquel Batista: 7.4%, Joel Bauza: 5.5%

2017 primary election results: Torres uncontested

City Council District 24
Is in eastern Queens, covering neighborhoods including Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Eastchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, and Jamaica. (Map)

Key Dates
Early voting: January 23-31 - Early voting poll site list: PDF
Election Day: February 2 - Election Day poll site list: PDF

The seat became vacant in November when Rory Lancman stepped down for a position in Governor Cuomo’s administration. 

Candidates on the ballot and their ballot lines:
Moumita Ahmed (Mo For The People), a progressive community organizer; Michael Brown (United Citizens), a real estate agent; James Gennaro (Queens Strong), the former City Councilmember for District 24, who served three terms from 2002 to 2013, and is now running for his old seat after working in the Cuomo administration for several years; Neeta Jain (Community First), a Democratic district leader and practicing psychologist; Dilip Nath (Your Voice Matters), a higher education executive and president of the New American Voters Association; Mujib Rahman (Unity), a community activist; Deepti Sharma, a small business owner and advocate; and Soma Syed (Soma for Queens), a practicing attorney and Queens County Women’s Bar Association president.  

2010 Census district demographics: 33.2% White, 28.9% Asian, 21.8% Hispanic, 11.7% Black

Housing: 55.7% renter-occupied, 44.3% owner-occupied

2013 primary election results: Lancman: 61.7%, Andrea Veras: 17.5%, Mujib Rahman: 17%

2017 primary election results: Lancman: 62.6%, Mohammad Rahman: 36.8%

City Council District District 31
Is in southeast Queens, covering neighborhoods including Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Laurelton, Rosedale, and Springfield Gardens. (Map)

Election Day: February 23, 2021

Early voting: February 13-21, 2021

The seat became vacant after Donovan Richards was elected Queens Borough President and subsequently stepped down. 

Candidates on the ballot:
LaToya Benjamin (The Time Is Now), economic director for State Senator James Sanders Jr.; Selvena Brooks-Powers (Powers 4 Queens), communications professional; Latanya Collins (Collins 4 Queens), educator and public servant; Sherwyn James (Time for Change), ordained minister and Democratic district leader; Nicole Lee (Lee For Jobs 31), entrepreneur and special needs advocate; Nancy Martinez (Rockaway United), healthcare training school founder and community leader; Pesach Osina (Community Unity), Jewish community leader; Shawn Rux (Rux For Us), assistant school superintendent; and Manny Silva (People Powered), Richards’ former chief of staff. 

2010 Census district demographics: 68.1% Black, 16.3% Hispanic, 10.7% White, 1.9% Asian American 

Housing: 52.4% renter-occupied, 47.6% owner-occupied

2013 primary election results: Richard: 51.5%, Michael Duncan: 35.8%, Ricardo Brown: 12.5%

2017 primary election results: Richards uncontested

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by Allison Smith for Gotham Gazette
 @GothamGazette

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