Social Enterprise To Help Long-Term Unemployed

Economists inform us the recent recession ended two years ago. However, the impacts have lingered longer than any other since the Great Depression. According to a recent study by McKinsey Global Institute, it may take more than 60 months for employment to recover to its pre-recession levels. By the end of the year, we may have 4 million people across this nation who have exhausted their unemployment insurance benefits and remain unemployed. Many of these "99ers" -- people who have exhausted their 99 weeks of benefits -- are close to eroding their savings and assets and wonder how much longer they can hold on to their homes.

Over the past year, The WorkPlace explored the challenges and life-changing impacts long-term unemployment has on 99ers. We discovered that 99ers face social, emotional and skill deficiencies caused by their long-term unemployment. We realized that only by eliminating employer risk during the hiring process will 99ers be evaluated fairly.

I am very pleased to report that The WorkPlace has raised more than $500,000 in private investment to support a program called Platform to Employment (P2E). The program is a public-private partnership giving businesses a risk-free opportunity to evaluate and consider hiring 99ers during an eight-week work experience program. During the eight weeks, wages will be subsidized with private investment funds and workers will be on the payroll of my organization. By eliminating employer risk during the hiring process, we will break down a significant structural barrier that 99ers face when seeking employment.

disgustedwithgovt wrote:I've also read that this might turn into a job share type of program to get more 99's working by getting back in the workforce at 20 hrs, still no risk to any employers. Hope it takes off all over the Country.