Statistics

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In 2009, Jacob's Ladder serves over 660 adults, deemed the "hardest to employ." The majority of these are low-wealth African Americans who have multiple and critical barriers to employment.

Barriers to employment include:
• little to no personal/disposable income
• homelessness or lack of affordable housing
• little to no reliable transportation
• lack of affordable childcare
• limited education (50% do not have high school diplomas or equivalent)
• erratic job histories
• job skills not competitive for the 21st Century workforce
• chronic health issues (including depression, high blood pressure, etc.)

Unemployment for Charlotte's African American population is usually double that of white/overall unemployment. Regardless of race, gender or ethnicity, high rates of unemployment threaten the well being of individuals, families and communities.

• Of all macroeconomic problems, chronic unemployment probably extracts the highest personal cost: it destroys marriages, it leads to depression, drug abuse, and even suicide. But the costs of unemployment are borne by the entire economy, not just the unemployed.

• An increase in unemployment results in higher benefit payments and lower tax revenues. When individuals are unemployed, not only do they receive benefits but also pay no income tax.

• Workers who are unemployed for long periods become de-skilled as their skills become increasingly dated in a rapidly changing job market. This reduces their chances of gaining employment in the future, which in turn increases the economic burden on government and society.

• Unemployment has a domino effect: As people lose their jobs, they cut back on spending, which causes other workers to lose their jobs. Unemployed people will likely postpone the purchase of a new car, and not go out to eat. This may cause auto workers and waiters to lose their jobs as well.

• As younger workers are more geographically mobile than older employees, there is a risk that areas with above average unemployment will suffer from an aging potential workforce - making them less attractive as investment locations for new businesses.

For current Mecklenburg County statistics on unemployment visit The Employment Security Commission of North Carolina.

For current National statistics on unemployment visit the Bureau on Labor Statistics.