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Permalink Reply by John Boutet on May 2, 2011 at 3:31pm

My main concern as we consider this Margy is that we do it in a way that the kids are kept as safe from predators as possible.  I don't think there are any "kids" on Location19.  The hope would be that the parents of kids and would-be employers are connected in a safe way that does not let someone lurking on the site easily misuse information.  When someone applies to join Location19 we primarily vet them to try to keep likely spammers off the membership list.  We approve them if another member invited them, if we know them, if we can look-up their email address or if their profile information gives us confidence they are indeed not a computer and particularly if they give enough info for us to verify that someone by that name lives on the street they claim.  In some cases this my not be as much as one would like for parents to feel comfortable and since anything posted on Location19 so far is Google-able that makes some people uncomfortable posting more info.

What we might consider looking into is setting up a Moderated Membership "Kids Wanting Jobs" Group.  You can see this type of moderated group on the SouthWedge.org site in South Wedge Landlords .  I think the safest way to do this would be to make the selections shown in the highlighted section of this picture of the Add a Group page which shows the Moderated Membership with Allow people to request membership checked off.  That would ensure that only people who join Location19 as members and pass the vetting process will be able to see what is in the group.  The moderated group's creator or approved administrator(s) would set up the required vetting process for membership in the group.  I usually don't push for this type of group because open groups make people consider their words more, but in this case kids well-being and parents peace of mind is at stake.

Parents whose kids are looking for work could join, and would be employers or any other Location19 member who doesn't mind a more stringent vetting could join.  Google or non-group-members would not have the ability to search the group.

What do you think?   I've never used this type of group so we should research is a bit more.  You can search Ning's Help site for info on this type of group. 

Attachments:

• Add Group - Moderated.png, 47 KB

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Permalink Reply by John Boutet on May 4, 2011 at 2:19pm

I ran this Discussion by CPO Kris Runion to get her input.  The note I sent her Tuesday afternoon said:

• Any thoughts of using a group for matchmaking kids with jobs in a safe and legal way?
• Does my reply suggesting using a Moderated Group on Location19 go far enough for safety?
• How do the child labor laws apply to this?
  Kids/Young adults who will work/do small jobs

I heard back from Kris that evening!  She had some great thoughts and good information for the concept:

• Child Labor laws do not apply to neighbors hiring neighbors.  You have to be a government entity, school, hospital or company that declares more that $500,000.00 worth of business a year (or
  something like that) to be held to the FLSA (fair labor standards act). 
• It seems that this would be better managed by individual block clubs/ streets.  You could do something with loc19, but I agree with the sentiment that it would bring liability and it would require a lot of work on your part.  What about a suggestion to block clubs that they put together a list of available teens on their streets and what they can do, including if they have their own equipment.  For example, the street's 'president' or other rep could assemble all the info, maybe by
  going door to door or sending email, flyers, whatever. Parental consent would be obtained prior to including a kid on the list.  All contact info should be right on the list.  I could assemble the list, including making a quick call to parents confirming their approval and make copies for distribution.  The list could look similar to:
• Lawn mowing:
• John Smith, age 13, 100 Inglewood, mom- Susan Smith, he has his own mower, $20 per yard, 555-1234.
• Mark Brown, age 14, 101 Inglewood, dad-John Brown, he will use your mower, $15 per yard, 555-1235.
• Raking: ETC.....
• Babysitting: ETC....
• Pet Care: ETC.....

• I like the concept.  It goes a long way toward the whole "owning your street", taking care of each other type thing.  Some streets might even want to consider a "senior discount"!!  That would be fun and teach the old concept of 'respecting one's elders'.  What a good ice breaker too, go door to door and ask the question "do you have someone here that needs a little work, could stand to earn a buck or two?".  I really like it John, lets push the concept.
  

She certainly is right that this is something best handled by the individual block clubs.  You mention Margy that: "We have a few kids right on our street who do this kind of work so we have posted phone numbers/names of kids who are willing/able to work."  Is that on your Marlboro Road Neighbors web site?  For block clubs who only have a Location19 online presence using an open group, I suppose they could each set up a moderated membership group for their club to handle this sort of thing.  It would have to be the responsibility of the block group setting up the moderated membership group to vet its members and work with Kris to make sure things are safe.
The question of liability does need to get looked into.  Neither Location19 nor individuals setting up a moderated group on Location19 or separate web sites on which such neighborhood job lists would be kept can afford to open themselves to a legal quagmire.

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on May 4, 2011 at 5:01pm

What a shame that we even need to think about liability!

Yes, we posted this information on our Marlborough Road Yahoo group - information was posted about kids/contact information WITH their parent's permission. Word of mouth about neighbor kids willing to work is also helpful - we have hired a neighbor kid for the past few years to do various small jobs. Others, hearing of our experience, have also hired him. THe young man now has 'sub-contractors' of slightly younger kids who help him from time to time. One of the 'sub-contractors' has seen the value of hard work and now wants to market himself for various jobs!  So, finding ways to make these connections is critical -  I suppose that we can leave it to individual block clubs to do this but because there only a few of us (block clubs) in the area it takes away opportunities for other ways to make the connections between people who want to hire kids and kids who want to work.

Just as in the 'real world', finding/getting a job depends a lot on who you know and what networks you are part of.  I think our kids need our (adult) help to create these types of networks and opportunities and I hope we'll find ways to support them in doing good, productive stuff.

Maybe if there are parents of kids who want to work on THIS group they can simply send a message saying something like : 14 year old looking for lawn mowing/yard work jobs- reasonable rates - contact me via private message for information.

On a similar note - and related to a question Eleanor raised about transportation options for people needing to get to work, there is an international organization called "TIME BANK" (http://www.timebanks.org/going-deeper.htm) - the general concept is this

 

"Our society’s problems lead to a tragic loss of human potential. More children are going into foster care than ever before. More children come home from school to an empty house, cope with drugs, cross the line into delinquency, and go to schools that lose 40% of those who enter. The problems don’t end when they grow up. As adults, these children face constantly shifting job markets, difficulties earning a living wage, unemployment, a shortage of affordable housing and health care. Minorities are the targets of racism and discrimination as well.

At the other end of the age spectrum, senior citizens face the loss of a useful role, loneliness, the cost of health care they need to handle the increasing health care needs that aging brings. Our societal inability to tap their wisdom and their experience deprives their final decades of joy.

Time Banking offers a new way out of these problems and a set of principles for addressing social challenges like these.

 

What is Time Banking All About?

At its most basic level, Time banking is simply about spending an hour doing something for somebody in your community. That hour goes into the Time Bank as a Time Dollar. Then you have a Time dollar to spend on having someone doing something for you. It's a simple idea, but it has powerful ripple effects in building community connections.

Each Time Bank has a website where you list what you would like to do for other members. You look up Time Bank services online or call a community coordinator to do it for you. You earn Time Dollars after each service you perform and then you get to spend it on whatever you want from the listings.

With Time Banking, you will be working with a small group of committed individuals who are joined together for a common good. It connects you to the best in people because it creates a system that connects unmet needs with untapped resources. To see what happens each week when you are part of Time Bank is deeply fulfilling, especially if you are helping to make it run."

 

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Permalink Reply by John Boutet on May 4, 2011 at 6:25pm

Margy,

I think that we need to look at the mechanism of setting up Block Club "Kids wanting jobs" groups as a mechanism for promoting block club formation.  If twenty people from nearby streets want to join your"Kids wanting Jobs" Moderated group either because they want to hire or want to have their kid hired for a job,  the neighbors running your moderated  group can approve a temporary "satellite" membership for someone two blocks over with the stipulation they work on starting their own group.  If this is a Location19 Moderated Group I think that Moderated Group conditions for joining would include the person to post their picture and that they agree to some form of screening.  Having access to a secure way of seeing kids employed creates a reason for some people to want to see block clubs form and take an active part in it.

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Permalink Reply by Jes Karakashian on May 13, 2011 at 6:51am

Let's also make sure kids know how to find out where sex offenders are located prior to accepting any jobs.  They can go to this site and enter the zipcode where they will be working:

http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/

Don't want to be sending kids around anyone who could potentially cause them harm.  Sad that we even have to worry about such things.

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Permalink Reply by Norton Suda on May 9, 2011 at 10:47pm

Hello Everyone,
I am currently providing lawn mowing services to those in the 19th Ward. I am a college student at the University at Buffalo and I have lived in the 19th Ward my entire life. I just finished my freshman year at college and am ready to provide lawn mowing services from now until late August. I will be able to provide follow-up services with clients as often as desired and am offering low rates for my services. Please give me a call (585-317-6376) or send me an email (nort@rochester.rr.com) and I will respond as soon as possible.

Thank you,
Norton Suda
43 Inglewood Dr.

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