Green jobs for real people: The story behind the recovery numbers

[ProSense]

Green jobs for real people: The story behind the recovery numbers

640,329

That figure represents the number of jobs that have been created or saved so far through the Recovery Act, according to a report released by the Obama administration on Friday.

But the true significance of this number lies in the people behind it.

People like Thalia Williams. Thalia is a single mother of a 3-year-old son, in Brooklyn, N.Y. “Construction is something that I wanted to do for a long time,” she said. “I had no way of knowing how to get into this field because I always heard it was a man’s world.”

Now, thanks to an organization that is able to expand and recruit women using Recovery Act funds, Thalia has a job weatherizing homes in New York.

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Thalia is just one of thousands of people who are finding jobs, hope, and opportunity in the clean-energy economy.

Their stories show the true return on investment that America’s communities are reaping from Recovery Act funding. (You can see more stories from the growing green economy on Green For All’s Green Economy Roadmap, released today).

With just over one-quarter of the Recovery funds paid out, the jobs and opportunity created will only grow in the coming months.

In addition to creating jobs in the short term, the Recovery Act is proving to be an essential jumpstart to the clean-energy economy, seeding new programs and expanding successful models across the country.

But the Recovery Act was primarily meant to stabilize our economy in the midst of a sweeping recession, and most funding from the Act will end by 2011. To build a thriving, healthy economy for future generations, we need long-term investment and policies.

Congress now has the historic opportunity to provide that long-term stability, and build on the foundation laid by the Recovery Act through climate and clean-energy legislation. The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act in the U.S. Senate could transition America to clean energy, creating millions of jobs in the process. And key provisions in the bill will ensure that the clean-energy economy is inclusive with opportunity for all.

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Video: Weatherization in New York Creates Jobs, Opportunity

[Cha]

1. It's our future and it's

NOW! We're so fortunate to have a Prez who gets it.

[ej510]

2. Green Jobs are on it's way to the bay area.

[JuniperLea]

3. Lets not forget these people are spending money earned on those jobs...

And thereby supporting local businesses, who can do the same, and so on, and so on.

This isn't the same old BS trickle down economics. This is putting money in at the ground level, and letting it grow up the trellis, instead of trickling down the drain.

There should be other reports out there on the jobs created for fixing our infrastructure... there are signs popping up all over So Cal noting the American Recovery Act funding.

Hang in there folks... at least we are finally heading in the right direction.

[ProSense]

4. Exactly. n/t

[JuniperLea]

6. Shameless kick of your awesome OP!

Sad how irrefutable good news goes largely unnoticed around here.

We're not there yet, but seeing that we're facing the proper direction gives me a lot of hope.

[Fire1]

5. Wonder what organization she is referring to that recruits

women. I'd like to look that up.

[Uncle Joe]

7. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, ProSense.:thumbsup: