More than 40 million workers in the United States have filed jobless claims since government imposed shutdowns began going into effect. A transition to the most in-demand jobs may mean a pay cut, unsafe environment, or poor prospects for growth for many unemployed Americans. Is there another way forward?
New America has reported that one way to assist the millions of out of work Americans is for congress to invest in good jobs that integrate education and training with paid work, subsidizing apprenticeships or paying the wages of new hires while they attend college or attain the necessary credentials. Another is to accelerate skills-based hiring programs and policies that will make a career transition efficient and affordable.
Recently a new cause for concern has emerged in the conversation around coronavirus fallout: a jump in labor-replacing automation as the result of a recession. Brookings’ Mark Muro noted that during the last three recessions of the past 30 years, 88% of permanent job loss took place in “routine,” automatable occupations. While some industries, such as health care, education, and tech are relatively isolated from job displacement, many jobless Americans work in automation vulnerable sectors of the workforce such as restaurants and bars, hotels, personal services, and brick-and-mortar department stores. It is important for these jobseekers to be informed about long-term, resilient job projections so as not to waste time and resources on education, career paths, or credentials that may become irrelevant in a few years time.
We identified 178 low automation risk occupations that presently employ at least 5,000 workers in California and that have (prior to the coronavirus) a positive 10-year projected growth from 2016-2026. In 2018 there were more than 940,000 job postings for the top 20 such occupations.
Skills Based Hiring
A key question for policymakers and employers during the recovery from this crisis is what good jobs will be created to replace the jobs lost, especially those that do not require an advanced degree to earn a family-sustaining wage. How can we set up vulnerable workers to be best suited for the changing economy in places like Fresno county, where only 15% of sales workers and 8% of food service workers have a Bachelor's degree?
With the recent upheaval in the labor market, supporting flexible learning to help workers adapt is more important than ever. The ability to acquire new qualifications and in-demand skills is one way to strengthen resilience to economic shocks and help connect workers to stable, resilient job opportunities. It is also likely that many Americans are better prepared for an unconventional career shift than they know. In Fresno, San Francisco, and the state of California, Microsoft Excel, Customer Service, and Communication Skills were the top three skills requested in March and April 2020.
Nice Work If You Can Get It
How Skillsets Help Workers Stay Relevant and Resilient
By Margaret Streeter
June 8, 2020
New America
Breaking the Two Party Doom-Loop
The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America
January 22, 2020
New America
American democracy is in deep crisis. After years of zero-sum partisan trench warfare, our political institutions are deteriorating and our norms are collapsing. Democrats and Republicans no longer see each other as opponents, but as enemies, unable to engage in healthy debate or compromise. As we move into election season the question looms: what can we do about this?
In his new book Breaking the Two Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America New America Senior Fellow Lee Drutman charts how American politics became so toxic, and makes a case for escaping the "doom loop of two-party warfare." Weaving together history, democratic theory, and cutting-edge political science, Drutman argues that the way to move past the crippling division and dysfunction is to give America true multiparty representation.
On Wednesday, January 22nd, join New America NYC and the Political Reform Program for a wide-ranging conversation with Lee Drutman and Aisha Moodie-Mills that takes a critical look at the growing disillusionment with our political system, exposing some of the myths and misunderstandings about our democratic institutions and exploring how major electoral reform could produce a more representative, responsive, and stable democracy.
Going Rural
Lessons from an Upstate Convening
By Margaret Streeter
December 6, 2017
New America
Over the past decade, Wassaic, New York, population 1,279 has remade itself from a small, dwindling hamlet into a re-emerging cultural hub in an unlikely setting. This transformation was begun, in no small part, by close collaboration between the Wassaic community and the The Wassaic Project a year round artist-residency, exhibition space, and performance venue with a vision for social change. The project emerged from a handful of young initiators who saw promise in the town’s key architectural assets: the vacant seven-story grain elevator is now a stunning exhibition space; the massive auction barn, a studio and workshop.
It was here last weekend that a diverse crowd walked, drove, and took the train to the last stop on the Hudson Line for an afternoon workshop co-presented by New America NYC. The convening brought together local and national leaders in art, policy, and philanthropy to discuss the role of arts education, higher education, and regional catalysts for economic growth in the Dutchess county region.
The Workshop
The day-long symposium was structured around a series of breakout sessions, with an interactive survey bookended by two large panel discussions. Eve Biddle, a co-founder of the Wassaic Project welcomed the first panel by emphasizing the unique format of the afternoon as an exchange between many facets of the community — both on and off the stage.
New America fellow Katherine Zoepf began the session, “The Lessons of Art Curriculums in Rural Education” by asking panelists what “positive impact” meant for each of them personally. All spoke to the short and long-term benefits of the arts, both for the well-being of the community, as well as the students themselves. Many spoke to the identity-affirming effects that exposure to mentors, new perspectives, and collaboration has on youth. Linda Marston-Reid, the director of Arts Mid-Hudson, and Jenny Hansel,of the North East Community Center, emphasized the long-term effects arts enrichment has in providing “21st century skills” like critical thinking, empathy, and confidence. Craig Wickwire, an art teacher at Webutuck High School, acknowledged the more immediate impact of arts education:
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Although considered the G.O.A.T. today, not all of Bach’s works were well received when he was alive. Indeed, many hundreds of pieces were forgotten after he died on July 28, 1750 – 272 years ago today.
He staged a comeback with the help of Felix Mendelssohn who conducted his now beloved –but then virtually unknown– St Matthew Passion in 1829. 🎼 🎻
In honor of his feast day today, enjoy a clip from our March performance of this masterpiece, featuring The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys and New York Baroque Incorporated.
🎥 Watch the full concert, conducted by Dana Marsh, at trinitywallstreet.org/videos.
The chorus translates to:
Have lightnings, has thunder vanished?
in the clouds?
We simply cannot get over how beautiful this new window is (or how it looks at night!) 🤩 🥰
Our newest #stainedglass window in over a century illustrates the Parable of the Talents and now shines out above our main entrance at Broadway and Wall Street!
Creating the window became an almost three-year journey for British artist Thomas Denny, and the window is unusual because, unlike most stained-glass, it’s designed to be seen by those who are not inside the church building.
✨ 👉🏽 Explore videos about our stained glass – from sanctuary tours, to lectures, to shorts about this project – at trinitywallstreet.org/stainedglass or via the link in our bio.
“Love is one of the pivotal points of the Christian faith. And there is another side called justice. And justice is really love in calculation. Justice is love correcting that which revolts against love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dec 5, 1955
Four days after Rosa Parks was arrested, 26-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr. addressed 5,000 attendees in Montgomery, Alabama, urging nonviolent protest and inspiring a movement. Even though King wrote the Montgomery Bus Boycott speech in less than an hour, it contains “everything he lived, did, and thought,” offered the Rev. Phil Jackson in his MLK Sunday sermon.
King’s “profoundly Christian” message that “justice walks hand in hand with love” offers us a radical roadmap to 21st-century understanding: “Love your enemies” without qualification.
Last year we stationed our Christmas crèche outside so passers-by on Broadway could take a look while our doors were closed. Tonight we joyfully welcome it back to the sanctuary as we mark the transition from Advent to Christmas.
The tradition of building a Christmas crèche is believed to have been invented by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223 after an inspiring visit to the Holy Land, where he visited Jesus' traditional birthplace. Francis staged the first nativity scene in a cave near Greccio, Italy with *real* 🐑 animals and people cast in biblical roles so that worshipers could contemplate the birth of Jesus in a particularly direct and personal way.
We can’t wait to adore our own “living nativity” tonight at our Christmas pageant!
Faith-inspired. Values-driven. Community-oriented. If this sounds like you, apply to join the new Trinity Leadership Fellows Program!
This free program will prepare emerging professional and faith leaders with the practical skills they need to energize and empower their communities —and build lifelong mentoring relationships along the way!
Hear from the Rt. Rev. Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves on why you should apply to join the cohort today.
✍🏽 Register for the Q&A session on March 18 to learn more and apply by March 31 at trinitywallstreet.org/TLFellows.
Although we had hoped we would be able to see more of you in person this year, we’ve loved staying connected through social media and are truly touched by the bond we’ve felt with our followers all over the world this year! Thank you for your comments, shares, likes, retweets, and views!
🤳🏽 Here are a few of our favorite posts YOU shared of US this past year here on Instagram. We feel truly blessed to have such amazing supporters and will continue to be here for you in the new year (so keep the shares and tags coming!)
The Astor Memorial Doors, or “the bronze doors,” have been around for over a century, yet folks visiting Trinity can easily miss them, especially when they are open, as they almost always are!
🧐 Take a closer look at the doors at the south entry, which commemorate six, not biblical, but historic events related to the history of New York and Trinity Church ––from a visit by George Washington, to Henry Hudson on his ship the Half Moon, to the 1846 consecration of Trinity Church.
Stay tuned for more about the other 2 sets of Astor Memorial Doors, as our summer visitor experience continues!
Gregorio Allegri’s sublime nine-voice setting of Psalm 51, “Miserere mei, Deus” is considered one of the great choral works and is traditionally sung by a choir and solo quartet during the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday.
Composed for the Sistine Chapel in 1638, the pope forbade this masterpiece from leaving the Vatican and were it not for Mozart, who as a teenager transcribed it from memory, we wouldn’t have a record of it today.
Like many choirs around the world today, the Choir of Trinity Wall Street sang it during our Ash Wednesday service.
The penultimate work of Handel’s career, Theodora is very different from his earlier, more extravagant oratorios. “An intimate work, Theodora has a tragic ending and is deeper and more philosophical in its mood and ideas,” offers conductor Avi Stein.
It tells the story of the Christian martyr Theodora and her Roman lover, Didymus by taking us into the minds and hearts of its five central characters as they struggle to do the right thing.
“Theodora speaks to themes we can relate to now. Personal freedom and expression in an authoritarian society. Capital punishment. The ability to stand strong against oppression.”
We invite you to watch the full recording of the sold-out, thrilling performance recorded live here at Trinity Church on July 31.
Avi Stein conducts Trinity Baroque Orchestra, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, + five stunning soloists (including @arcostanzo as Didymus - heard here!)
💻 youtube.org/trinitywallstreet
🎥 trinitywallstreet.org/videos
After 2+ years of Zoom conference calls, virtual halloween parties, and team meetings full of emojis, we’re gratefully – and gradually 😉 – adjusting to life here at the office. A full week back and it’s *almost* like we never left!
We count our many blessings for all those who helped make the transition, both away from and now back to 76 Trinity Place, seamless.
It’s been an absolute joy to reconnect with old colleagues and welcome the many who joined our staff since March 13, 2020! 💗 🎉
The present Trinity Church, designed by Richard Upjohn, was consecrated 175 years ago this week! It is considered a classic example of Gothic Revival architecture and is a National Historic Landmark, featuring some of the earliest examples of #stainedglass in the United States.
Swipe ➡️ to see what the neighborhood would have looked like at the time. The terrific 1849 panorama of Lower Manhattan by Henry A. Papprill was taken from the tower of St. Paul’s Chapel! The Trinity Church spire would remain the city’s tallest structure for another 40 years.
The world doesn’t often feel new these days. Sometimes it feels like we’ve heard every story, mourned every loss, and we’re actually moving backwards. “Last night another person motivated by hate took brothers and sisters from us in Buffalo. Our hearts and hands and prayers will all be needed in the days ahead,” preached the Rev. Elizabeth E. Blunt at our 11:15am Holy Eucharist.
In the midst of all the brokenness that persists in this world, “we’ve been commanded to set ourselves apart through love. Love, which by nature resists boundaries, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things.”
We’re far from perfect, but wherever there is love, things are being made new.
Our biggest pipe organ is having its very own #GildedAge moment! ✨ Take a look at the drama unfolding this week during the latest – and shiniest – phase of this installation, in which incoming pipes are gilded with gold leaf and hoisted to the organ loft.
🎵 Watch more videos about what it takes to build an 8,000-pipe organ at trinitywallstreet.org/pipeorgans or at the link in our bio.
It’s MESSIAH Week 🎶 at Trinity and we’re counting down to Thursday’s live streamed performance by spotlighting the many talented choral singers who have also been featured soloists over the years.
Did you know that although the structure of Handel’s MESSIAH resembles an opera, there are actually no characters and only one “scene?” There’s still plenty of drama, though! One of our favorite moments from last year’s performance is Steven Hrycelak’s uplifting rendition of “The People That Walked in Darkness.”
📽 Catch his performance of a different arioso this Thursday! Find details at the link in our bio.