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The federal government recently released a jobs report showing record-low unemployment and rising wages, continuing an economic recovery nearly a decade in the making. The Inland Empire has also seen improved economic prospects; earlier this year, the Press-Enterprise reported that the region leads California in job growth.
But these promising projections hide a troubling fact: More than half of Inland Empire residents (51 percent) are working but struggling with poverty (compared to 47 percent of Californians overall), according to new data from PRRI, a nonpartisan research organization that focuses on American society and public policy. The James Irvine Foundation commissioned the research firm this summer to survey 3,318 Californians, including 1,068 workers in or on the brink of poverty.
The survey’s findings about the region are eye-opening and disturbing — and require employers and civic leaders to act. For example, only 47 percent of the region’s residents now believe in the American dream, and 71 percent of Inland Empire respondents would encourage young people in the community to leave for more opportunity elsewhere.
Pessimism about the future is understandable given the tough conditions struggling workers experience across California: 42 percent have put off seeing a doctor and/or cut back on food because of economic hardship, and 37 percent believe they can never afford to retire.
Solutions aimed at narrowing the gap between haves and have nots should tackle the specific barriers many in our communities face to opportunity. Yet in a time of unprecedented wealth, we’re collectively failing millions of Californian families who can’t make ends meet despite working sometimes two or three jobs.
Fortunately, the news isn’t all bad. The region is also home to encouraging efforts to boost innovation, quality jobs and training opportunities.
The Irvine Foundation is investing $200 million over five years in nonprofits working with and on behalf of low-wage workers. This includes connecting workers with good jobs that pay a family-sustaining wage (and the chance to advance) as well as expanding enforcement of wage and work laws. Other foundations such as The California Endowment and Weingart Foundation are also investing to address poverty and inequity in the region.
But philanthropy and public agencies are not going to solve this problem alone; we need the private sector at the table in designing and investing in the future. And in the Inland Empire, several leaders are stepping up. For example, community colleges including Norco and Chaffey have developed innovative programs that lead to higher-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing and logistics. In addition, the workforce development boards in each county have been working in closer coordination with each other and with major employers. County economic development agencies have also participated in regional efforts with higher education and private-sector partners to help grow middle-class jobs.
The Warehouse Worker Resource Center, based in the Inland Empire, is also leading promising efforts to support workers in recovering more than $30 million in stolen wages and has helped thousands of workers improve the health and safety of their workplaces in the crucial warehouse sector.
These and other efforts give us hope for a better future. Let’s build on them and ensure that the region’s future growth benefits all communities, especially those who have been left behind historically because of poverty and race. The region’s future, and the California dream, depend on it.
Karthick Ramakrishnan is a professor of public policy at the University of California, Riverside, and director of UCR’s Center for Social Innovation (CSI). Don Howard is president and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation. CSI has received funding from The James Irvine Foundation, in addition to other sources like Weingart Foundation, The Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, and The Strategic Growth Council.
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