Bryan commented that the poverty numbers are increasing due to a few factors. People are working, but not at the right jobs. Many are working without benefits. Employers have changed the status of many jobs from full time to part time because of the reduction in cost to pay for benefits. Many families in Lincoln have been without benefits since 2008 according to statistics. And many who are entering the workforce now don't understand the value of benefits - they have never been exposed to them.
Did you know that Nebraska has the 3rd highest rate of people who work multiple jobs? First is Vermont and second is South Dakota. Bryan talked with us about the value of moving from a part time job to a full time career.
Through the Prosper Lincoln program there is a move to bring potential employees and employers together; specifically there are a number of agencies working to place people in jobs. Through this work there is a forum for the employers to meet with various agencies at one time rather than scheduling a number of meetings. It is more effective for all.
Bryan said that - even though they are not ignoring other demographics - they often focus on getting a single mom into career stability. The single mom may have had to leave an abusive situation leaving everything behind except the children. Faced with only a single income and no savings, they are not only living in poverty but may become homeless.
He worked through a budget for a family with two incomes totaling $40,000; with a couple of children, with some food and childcare assistance when all of the expenses are added up they cleared about $4 per month. Bryan stated that at any time 60% of us cannot come up with $1,000.
The number one reason people become homeless is domestic abuse - 70%. The other 30% may be due to unexpected expenses such as a car accident or breaking down, funeral expenses, medical expenses; there is also substance abuse and mental illness that can cause instability.
Bryan urged us not to give money to panhandlers because that undermines the work of the agencies trying to help. Many of them are not homeless and they are not veterans (he said there is one homeless person that is a veteran in Lincoln).
They are also trying to change how we look at our labor force. Rather than using the term unskilled, we should look at uncertified. He does not necessary believe that we should continue to push for everyone to get a college degree, but rather get certified. \
On the Prosper Lincoln website (https://www.prosperlincoln.org/), under Employment Skills you will see that the goals are:
1. Increase cross-sector initiatives to advocate for and improve workforce development.
2. Increase ways for employers and potential employees to connect.
3. Increase opportunities and support for skill training that address workforce needs.