LTE: Community Jobs

Economic Security

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), December 9, 2009, Oakland Tribune

Community jobs

ON THE day the Obama administration hosted a jobs summit focused on tax cuts for businesses and state fiscal relief, one more unemployed Oakland father, a leader in his community and congregation, collects recycling to support his family.

Where's the fiscal relief for the 17 percent of Oaklanders who are unemployed? Oakland Community Organizations stands together with allies across the country to urge the Obama administration and Congress to include a community jobs program in upcoming legislation.

We call on the federal government to provide resources to local governments to create jobs immediately that benefit our families. Through the Community Infrastructure Program, we can create more than 1 million jobs for America.

Our economy cannot be fixed by rescuing corporate America. We need a federally funded jobs program to employ people immediately and provide them with living wages, benefits and opportunities for the future.

Let's put Oaklanders back to work now to beautify our schools, strengthen our community services and repair our city for a brighter and more sustainable future.

Pastor Lucy Kolin
Fr. Jesus Nieto-Ruiz
Co-chairs, Oakland Community Organizations