Working Together

Publisher:  National Council of Welfare, Ottawa, Canada
Year Published:  1978
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX783

A report on the effects of unemployment.

Abstract: 
This report focuses on a segment of the jobless who have always suffered most severely from unemployment -- the poor. High rates of unemployment are experienced among the poor when the economy is healthy, and when in decline, as it is now, the situation of the low-income workers becomes more desperate. The whole community is affected and a complexity of problems confront them in any job search.
The report continues with an outline of three projects that illustrate concrete ways in which unemployment among the poor can be combated: planning and participation -- Guysborough, Nova Scotia; Creating Jobs with a future -- weathercheck, Winnipeg; Community Economic Development - New Dawn Enterprises -- Sydney, Nova Scotia. These projects have been successful in establishing long-term solutions for some of the unemployed by using local resources to create jobs that provide the community with valuable goods and services. In each case the projects were initiated by members of the community concerned, and the unemployed themselves. The projects are set up as small businesses with intention of reducing their dependence on outside support.
The unemployment situation in different communities will require varying responses. However both the problems and the accomplishments of New Dawn, Guysborough, and Weathercheck offer guidelines that can be useful in most communities where unemployment is high.