Given this situation, we need to consider new approaches for the creation of jobs targeted to those still on the rolls. The welfare reform effort in New York City has concentrated on cutting the rolls rather than creating jobs. A survey by the city's Human Resources Administration in September 1998 of former welfare recipients found that 43 percent were not working six months after their cases were closed. A third of recipients' families said they were worse off than when they were on welfare. Most had no health insurance or child care benefits.
All indicators show job growth in the city has been uneven.
While Wall Street is booming, not everyone is doing well. In 1998, the unemployment rate for Black women was 12 percent, for Hispanic women it was 13 percent, and it was nearly 16 percent for women with less than a high school degree. If a recession hits, we can only guess about the severity of unemployment for these and other groups. Jobs Programs Here is where community-jobs programs can make a difference. Participants in the programs would have a real job with clear responsibilities and adequate supervision.