On Demand
Working Poor
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Jeremy Reiss, director of Workforce Mobility Initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York, paints a picture of New York City’s low-income workers.
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Thousands of miles away, but through the miracle of the internet, I´m still listening...
Eventhough people here are much more poor in terms of overall income than the working poor of NYC, the cost of living difference is just staggering. Even making five times as much there, people are still keeping their heads only just above water while the people here are much poorer but are living sustainable lives for the most part.
Here's a solution for low-income earners--get a higher-paying job! And if they can't get a higher-paying job because they don't have the necessary skills, than get the skills! Just stop the endless complaining.
Yeah, $1.50 for a plate but can they afford the gas to drive to IKEA. My 16K/annum makes me sound rich if there are families of 4 making 30K!!! That's very disheartening to hear. It's time to get out and revolt; salaries are ridiculously low and we talk about it too much and don't DO anything about it.
This is anecdotal, but in spite of IKEA's marketing largely to recent college grads and the savvy, underpaid, & over-educated, I was heartened to overhear a conversation between cashiers at IKEA Elizabeth, young black women (local in urban NJ, I presume) discussing how much they had purchased w/their employee discount.
Sofas may not be realistic, but IKEA does have high quality cheap stuff, better than most 99-cent stuff, and it'd be good if the company reached out more to the working poor in search of bargain cookware, etc.
Just to tie in today's segment and yesterday's segment re Craigslist, there is a huge amount of IKEA furniture for sale on Craigslist.
1. it's a way of getting furniture cheaply
2. what does it say about IKEA furniture that so many people are trying to offload it onto someone else?
You move back to your parent's house.
Gee Gary a mensch you are not! Whose going to serve you your coffee at Starbucks or even the dinner you have at La Cirque, do you think those waiters are doing as well as you obviously are!!
Poor people like new stuff too and we get it. We buy overpriced furniture on layaway. Its not too well made and its expensive but we get to have nice stuff.
For full disclosure, how much does the guest make per year?
gary
glad you care. it's so easy. maybe you can give classes "how to make it in america, 6 months to SUV and sprawl"
One word: housing.
In no other place that I know of is housing so influential as in NY. Whether you decide to share your flat/marry/have children/commute/eat or not at home/etc has almost all to do, in this city, with housing costs.
You are right about that, Brian. I didn´t mean to say that people are living well here. The crime in Rio is so bad that the military has been deployed to try to bring things under control. Many people are getting by without electricity and running water.
But my point was that simply having more money does not necessarily translate into living with greater stability and financial security.
What about allocating some New York State Lottery funds for health care coverage. Sounds preposterous but we need some ideas for funding.
Some people may not have internet connection for obtaining help, can you announce the phone number for the Community Service Society NY
Just a quick response to the caller's comment about Ikea furniture not lasting longer than a few years. My family is a huge fan of Ikea - we have a dining room table and chairs and a futon couch that we've had for 15 years and they look as good as when we bought them. We've also used the same crib and children's bed for two very active boys, and have several Billy bookshelves that are still in great shape after 10 years.
Brian, I'm truly surprised by how out of touch you seem to be about the lives of working families. You're usually so well versed in every niche demographic of the city.
Thank you Brian. I am a Brazilian living in NY and have worked my whole life in social services in Brazil's inner cities and slums. If Paulo is listening to your show online, that means he's part of 20% of Brazilians that do have access to the internet... Unfortunately, not many of these Brazilians (the ones that do have access to the internet) make it a habit of visiting or finding out what life is really like in these slums. The divide is real, historic, and unimaginable. I find it somewhat clueless and bit offensive to hear from a Brazilian that it's sustainable to be poor in Rio. That sounds like something right out of the mouth of someone who's not (poor)!
This guy Jeremy is full of wind and is devoid of substance. He is a poster child for condescening social services. He avoids direct questions and is more in love with his job than he is with assisting people in need.
I am out of work and this guy can't do nuttin for me.
To "Worker":
In fact, I have presented lectures to students on starting successful businesses (free, by the way). Moreover, I have the outline of a book I have yet to write on the subject. With your permission, I would like to use your suggested title. ;-0
All these folks talking about Housign Works and Craig'sList forget one think: Transportation. There is a cost to transporting used furniture. Housing works gives you 48 hours to pick up large furniture. If you don't have a car/truck, you're shelling out for transportation. AND on short notice. Those places cater to people with money and health.
Gary
go for it.
i'm glad you're doing your part. without people like you we would soon be a 3rd world country.
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