Columbia Urban League
Jobs and Dignity
theme was “Jobs Rebuild America.” During the conference, the Urban League released a letter urging President Obama and Congress to fight the “War on Unemployment.” The letter states, “As we fight wars overseas, fight the budget deficit, fight to raise the debt-ceiling, we stand on behalf of the more than 14 million Americans who are unemployed, asking for your help in fighting the continuing joblessness that has plagued this economic recovery.” The letter identifies two major battles in the “War on Unemployment.” “We must battle against program cuts that affect people in the areas of job training, aid to education, housing and community and economic development which give Urban League Affiliates the tools that they need to be economic first responders. … The second battle is a battle for a targeted jobs plan that benefits America’s Urban Communities.” Just last month, on Saturday, October 15, 2011, the National Urban League partnered with labor, education, clergy and other civil rights groups to hold a rally and march for jobs and justice. The event was held leading up to the historic unveiling of the national King Memorial on the National Mall the following day. National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial was one of the co-chairs of the jobs rally and march. Connecting to the National Urban League’s efforts and focus, our theme this year is “Jobs: Rebuilding the Midlands.” The Columbia Urban League has been a major player in the education, jobs, and civil rights arenas for 44 years, helping to economically empower disadvantaged residents in the greater Midlands community. We take a holistic approach, seeking to improve the quality of life for all individuals
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A N N U AL REPORT 2010-2011
in our community. It begins at home, so we promote good parenting skills. In addition to our programs that teach parenting skills, a number of our youth programs require a parents’ orientation. Parents need to reinforce the workplace philosophy and training provided in our education and employment programs for youth. In a variety of programs we introduce youth to quality education and work experience, help prepare adults for work, help educate and sensitize employers to the needs of disadvantaged workers, and advocate on behalf of everyone for a just and fair community. Our efforts are in three areas: 1. 2. 3.
Education and Youth Empowerment Social Justice Advocacy/Outreach
The areas are fluid and overlap; at times, programming and activities in one area flow into another. In all that we do, we seek to inspire and provide a ray of hope. We try to open the eyes of our youth to a bright future, to help them see hope beyond difficult circumstances that might be challenging them. We encourage them to dream, and to position themselves to take advantage of opportunities to make their dreams come true. When we empower “the least of these,” we empower the community.