Empowering Youth Through Employment

While doing some research for an article, I came across a banner that said, “If I can, you can: Fight Child Poverty.” I asked myself, “What can I do to fight child poverty?” After researching the strategies of that particular website which included sending kids to schools and teaching them about Jesus, I thought a bit more could be done than some form of child welfare.

So what did I come up with? Well, if the problem is poverty the best treatment is income. So let’s get those kiddies out there in the work force. Now I know that child labor has gotten a really bad rap but with the right management these kids can enter the workforce empowered. So I started a 501(d) not-for-profit organization, Kid Power.
First, we took on child poverty here in the States. It is of course legally required to send our children to school at a certain age so after that time they probably won’t be able to hold a full-time job for a time, so before that mature age of 6, we challenged ourselves to get those kids out of their impoverished situation.

3 year old Katie can finally attain some financial independence thanks to her new waitress position at the corner coffee shop I helped her acquire. By the time she’s six she’ll be able to afford her own school supplies which will ease the burden on her family.
Madelyn (4) loves working as an auto-detailer, “Fun!” she screams as she washes a family mini-van. Yet another youth empowered by employment.

Some of the criticisms of child labor are that children work in extreme and dangerous conditions and aren’t able to receive an education. Our response is that adults work in extreme and dangerous conditions as well, so why discriminate on children trying to earn a living? It just doesn’t make sense.
As for lack of education, I scoff at the notion. These kids are learning valuable trades that will assist them in earning a wage. Just take a look at Enrique working at one of many jobs that offer hands-on technical experience.

Think you can wire steady-state transistors? Yeah, didn’t think so.

Chittra must apply her math and measurement skills in order to earn a living. Kids State-side don’t acquire these skills until around 3rd grade. That means she’s way ahead in education than the deadbeats that depend upon the welfare of their parents. Clearly, work based kids know the value of education and employment. And just look how happy she is!

Speaking of happiness, our kids report a high rate of job satisfaction. Just take a look at a few of our much sought after positions.

Maria, age 5, place matter.

Philippe, age 8, nudist steak driver.

I don’t know about you, but if I were a kid again and someone asked me if I wanted to be in school or ride my bicycle all day for money I’d damn sure take the bicycling for money. Hell I’d still take it if I weren’t so damn busy getting these kids all these sweet ass jobs.

When I was growing up, one of my most favorite things to do was to play with blocks. If I had died as a child and went to heaven, I imagine this is what it looks like:

Take a look at this little rascal:

This kid is going to get so much ass it’s not even funny.

Taking our inspiration from those we serve, our home office is no exception to the rule. Meet 4 year old Megan, our CFO.

I find it quite ironic that child labor is called abuse but when an adult does its just called work.