WILMINGTON, Del. – Two-dozen leaders from around Delaware gathered Wednesday morning for a discussion organized by U.S. Senator Chris Coons to openly and candidly discuss causes, symptoms, and potential solutions to chronic unemployment in the state’s urban areas. The meeting, hosted with Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County, was the first of four planned by Senator Coons over the next few months in a series dubbed, “Winning the Fight Against Urban Unemployment.”
“If we’re going to overcome the chronic unemployment that is holding back Delaware’s urban areas, it’s going to be because we came together as a community to do it,” Senator Coons said. “The causes and symptoms of urban unemployment are historically and fundamentally more complex than for unemployment more broadly. Solving it just isn’t as simple as attracting a big box store or reopening a factory. Crime, poverty, chemical dependence, and lack of educational opportunity all contribute to stubborn jobless numbers and struggling communities trapped in a painful cycle.”
“What we tried to accomplish today is to get the ball rolling on a dialogue within our community that produces actionable ideas,” Senator Coons continued. “Some of those ideas will be for things we can do here in Delaware, and others will be for legislation I can pursue in Washington. Over and over again today we heard about the strong assets and opportunity we already have in place in Delaware, and about the need to do more to connect them. We can do that if we work together. We have thoughtful, passionate people here eager to make a difference. This was a really productive discussion and I look forward continuing the dialogue.”
Wednesday’s 90-minute long conversation covered a wide range of issues, including education, skills training, crime, recidivism, homelessness, hunger, and more. Additional discussions are planned in the run-up to a larger summit this spring.
Participating in Wednesday’s discussion were: