Opinion: National Service Is Key to Cutting Jobless Rate

Volunteerism and service programs can play a critical part in reducing unemployment among young Americans, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit leader writes in a Washington Post opinion piece.

Jeff Franco, executive director of education-focused service organization City Year Washington, D.C., cites research by the Corporation for National and Community Service indicating unemployed people who volunteer for a year are far more likely to get jobs at the end of their service tenure.

Mr. Franco also notes the success alumni of City Year, which is affiliated with the national service agency AmeriCorps, have in securing jobs. “Given what we know about the relationship between volunteering and employment, AmeriCorps programs represent an efficient tool to tackle high unemployment and growing poverty among young Americans,” he says.