Fran Barrett: Want to Create Jobs? Don't Forget Low-Hanging Fruit in Nonprofits

Fran Barrett: Want to Create Jobs? Don't Forget Low-Hanging Fruit in Nonprofits: "The nonprofit sector employs 500,000 in New York, and 12.9 million individuals nationally. In New York alone the government contracts out about $4 billion to non profit organizations. Each nonprofit job brings value to a community. These workers provide services where there is a growing demand, particularly in this recession. One youth worker (average salary in New York is about $30,000) helps about 50 to 75 young people a year. They help them stay in school, avoid pregnancy, consider college, participate in civic and community activities, get familiar with the arts, and understand their own potential. One outreach worker saves hundreds of lives connecting at risk people with HIV/AIDs testing information, and linking them to appropriate services."