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>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.
JOINING US. I'M THE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
I'M THE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR FOR THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR.
FOR THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR. TONIGHT WE WILL ASK A PANEL TO
TONIGHT WE WILL ASK A PANEL TO EXPLORE HOW JOBS CAN DECREASE
EXPLORE HOW JOBS CAN DECREASE POVERTY IN TUCSON AND TO SEE
POVERTY IN TUCSON AND TO SEE ANOTHER PIECE OF THE POVERTY
ANOTHER PIECE OF THE POVERTY PUZZLE WE WILL GO OUT ON A
PUZZLE WE WILL GO OUT ON A WINTERY NIGHT WITH AN
WINTERY NIGHT WITH AN ORGANIZATION WHO PREPARES AND
ORGANIZATION WHO PREPARES AND DISTRIBUTES FOOD TO HOMELESS
DISTRIBUTES FOOD TO HOMELESS PEOPLE.
PEOPLE. >>> FINALLY WE WILL LEARN ABOUT
>>> FINALLY WE WILL LEARN ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF EVERY
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF EVERY WINTER IN TUCSON.
WINTER IN TUCSON. FIRST A LOOK AT THE TOP STORIES.
FIRST A LOOK AT THE TOP STORIES. >> THE ARIZONA COMMISSION'S
>> THE ARIZONA COMMISSION'S ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS WILL TALK
ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS WILL TALK ABOUT ENERGY AND HOW IT CAN
ABOUT ENERGY AND HOW IT CAN TRANSFORM ENERGY PROJECTS AND
TRANSFORM ENERGY PROJECTS AND PITCH NEW IDEAS TO ENHANCE CROSS
PITCH NEW IDEAS TO ENHANCE CROSS BORDER BUSINESS AND COOPERATION,
BORDER BUSINESS AND COOPERATION, THE COMMISSION MEETS TWICE A
THE COMMISSION MEETS TWICE A YEAR.
YEAR. >>> ARIZONA CITRUS INDUSTRY IS A
>>> ARIZONA CITRUS INDUSTRY IS A SHADOW OF IT'S FORMER SELF.
SHADOW OF IT'S FORMER SELF. GROWERS ARE LOOKING FOR MILLIONS
GROWERS ARE LOOKING FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE NEW FARM
OF DOLLARS FROM THE NEW FARM BILL FOR HELP TO FIGHT THE
BILL FOR HELP TO FIGHT THE CITRUS GREENING DISEASE AN
CITRUS GREENING DISEASE AN AILMENT THAT ALREADY KILLED
AILMENT THAT ALREADY KILLED MILLIONS OF TREES IN FLORIDA.
MILLIONS OF TREES IN FLORIDA. ARIZONA HAD MORE THAN 13,000
ARIZONA HAD MORE THAN 13,000 ACRES OF CITRUS TREES AND A CROP
ACRES OF CITRUS TREES AND A CROP VALLEY OF $28 MILLION IN 2010
VALLEY OF $28 MILLION IN 2010 AND HAS DROPPED BY TWO-THIRDS IN
AND HAS DROPPED BY TWO-THIRDS IN 30 YEARS.
30 YEARS. >>> A REPORT OUT THIS WEEK SAYS
>>> A REPORT OUT THIS WEEK SAYS TOXIC CHEMICALS RELEASES WERE
TOXIC CHEMICALS RELEASES WERE DOWN FROM 2011 SAYING
DOWN FROM 2011 SAYING UNDERGROUND TOXIC CHEM
UNDERGROUND TOXIC CHEM INJECTIONS AND WATER RELEASES
INJECTIONS AND WATER RELEASES STATE THE SAME AS IN PRIESTIOEV
STATE THE SAME AS IN PRIESTIOEV YEARS.
YEARS. THAT'S A LOOK AT TONIGHT'S
THAT'S A LOOK AT TONIGHT'S HEADLINES.
>>> 20% OF TUCSON'S ARE IN LIVING IN POVERTY.
LIVING IN POVERTY. THE U.S. SENSE US BUREAU SAYS
THE U.S. SENSE US BUREAU SAYS TUESDAYON HAS THE 6TH HIGHEST
TUESDAYON HAS THE 6TH HIGHEST POVERTY RATE AMONG HIGH CITIES.
POVERTY RATE AMONG HIGH CITIES. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO TURN THAT
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO TURN THAT NUMBER AROUND.
NUMBER AROUND. JOINING ME TO DISCUSS THE
JOINING ME TO DISCUSS THE EMPLOYMENT ASPECT OF POVERTY,
EMPLOYMENT ASPECT OF POVERTY, WILL TALK ABOUT THEIR
WILL TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES LIVING WITH FEW
EXPERIENCES LIVING WITH FEW RESOURCES.
RESOURCES. WE ALSO HAVE PRESIDENT OF THE
WE ALSO HAVE PRESIDENT OF THE JOB PATH BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
JOB PATH BOARD OF DIRECTORS. ALLEN A
ALLEN A ALLEN, CEASAR AND ANDREA, THANK
ALLEN, CEASAR AND ANDREA, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR STORY
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR STORY AND WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH.
AND WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH. >> I'M A EVACUATE OF HURRICANE
>> I'M A EVACUATE OF HURRICANE KATRINA FROM NEW ORLEANS,
KATRINA FROM NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA AND I'VE BEEN HERE
LOUISIANA AND I'VE BEEN HERE THROUGH THE PROGRAM THROUGH JOB
THROUGH THE PROGRAM THROUGH JOB PATH.
PATH. THAT'S WHAT GOT ME STARTED.
THAT'S WHAT GOT ME STARTED. WE STAYED IN THE WATER FOR NINE
WE STAYED IN THE WATER FOR NINE DAYS BEFORE WE SAW THE FIRST
DAYS BEFORE WE SAW THE FIRST RESCUER, THAT FIRST RESCUER CAME
RESCUER, THAT FIRST RESCUER CAME FROM WASHINGTON STATE AND I HAVE
FROM WASHINGTON STATE AND I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR WASHINGTON
A LOT OF RESPECT FOR WASHINGTON STATE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO
STATE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO RASHARD LEWLEWI
RASHARD LEWLEWI LOSE -- DOWN THERE TO BE OUR
LOSE -- DOWN THERE TO BE OUR FIRST RESCUERS.
FIRST RESCUERS. WE WERE ONE OF THE LAST ONES TO
WE WERE ONE OF THE LAST ONES TO BE EVACUATED AFTER NINE DAYS.
BE EVACUATED AFTER NINE DAYS. WE WERE PLACED ON A PLANE AND
WE WERE PLACED ON A PLANE AND BROUGHT TO TUCSON, DIDN'T KNOW
BROUGHT TO TUCSON, DIDN'T KNOW WHERE WE WERE GOING UNTIL WE GOT
WHERE WE WERE GOING UNTIL WE GOT HERE.
HERE. TUCSON WAS SO WELL PREPARED FOR
TUCSON WAS SO WELL PREPARED FOR THE EVACUATES, THERE WERE 89 OF
THE EVACUATES, THERE WERE 89 OF US AND EXPECTING 900.
US AND EXPECTING 900. >> CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOU MEAN
>> CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOU MEAN BY WELL PREPARE ZBPREPARED.
BY WELL PREPARE ZBPREPARED. >> THERE WAS A REALLY LARGE
>> THERE WAS A REALLY LARGE COLLABORATION OF CHURCHES,
COLLABORATION OF CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS BROUGHT TOGETHER
ORGANIZATIONS BROUGHT TOGETHER IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. IT SEEMED LIKE A LIFETIME FOR
IT SEEMED LIKE A LIFETIME FOR US, NINE DAYS.
US, NINE DAYS. BUT IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE US
BUT IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE US AND BE READY FOR US.
AND BE READY FOR US. AND THE HOUSING AND ALL OF THE
AND THE HOUSING AND ALL OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAME
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAME TOGETHER THAT MADE THE
TOGETHER THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE.
DIFFERENCE. WE FELT WELCOMED.
WE FELT WELCOMED. WE FELT SCARED.
WE FELT SCARED. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS NEXT.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS NEXT. IT IS REALLY A TRAUMATIC
IT IS REALLY A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FOR US.
EXPERIENCE FOR US. >> AND YOU TOLD ME EARLIER THAT
>> AND YOU TOLD ME EARLIER THAT THE FIRST THING YOU WANTED TO DO
THE FIRST THING YOU WANTED TO DO WAS FIND THE BUS STATION BECAUSE
WAS FIND THE BUS STATION BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO GET SOMEWHERE TO
YOU WANTED TO GET SOMEWHERE TO FIND WORK.
FIND WORK. WHAT KIND OF WORK DID YOU DO.
WHAT KIND OF WORK DID YOU DO. >> I LOADED CRUISE SHIPS AND
>> I LOADED CRUISE SHIPS AND EVERY OTHER SHIP THAT COMES INTO
EVERY OTHER SHIP THAT COMES INTO THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS.
THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS. >> AND WE DON'T HAVE A HIGH
>> AND WE DON'T HAVE A HIGH DEMAND FOR THAT.
DEMAND FOR THAT. >> RIGHT.
>> RIGHT. >> CAN YOU GO ON AND TELL US
>> CAN YOU GO ON AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE.
ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE. >> I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN
>> I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN TUCSON.
TUCSON. I'M A CATHOLIC WORKER AT THE
I'M A CATHOLIC WORKER AT THE SOUP KITCHEN AND I'M A MEMBER OF
SOUP KITCHEN AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE INTERFAITH COUNCIL.
THE INTERFAITH COUNCIL. I'M A SINGLE PARENT OF TWO
I'M A SINGLE PARENT OF TWO GIRLS.
GIRLS. I'M A SITE COUNSELLOR AT THEIR
I'M A SITE COUNSELLOR AT THEIR SCHOOL AND VERY INVOLVED IN
SCHOOL AND VERY INVOLVED IN THEIR EDUCATION.
THEIR EDUCATION. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TUCSON
I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TUCSON BUS RIDER UNION.
BUS RIDER UNION. I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE LIKE
I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE LIKE I SAID, GREW UP IN POVERTY, I
I SAID, GREW UP IN POVERTY, I HAD BOTH MY PARENTS IN MY HOME.
HAD BOTH MY PARENTS IN MY HOME. IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD A LOT OF KIDS
IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD A LOT OF KIDS WERE FROM SINGLE PARENT
WERE FROM SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS OR BEING RAISED BY
HOUSEHOLDS OR BEING RAISED BY GRAND PARENTS.
GRAND PARENTS. MY FATHER WAS A WELDER AND FENCE
MY FATHER WAS A WELDER AND FENCE INSTALLATION FOREMAN, MY MOM
INSTALLATION FOREMAN, MY MOM WORKED WHATEVER PART-TIME JOBS
WORKED WHATEVER PART-TIME JOBS SHE COULD FIND, USUALLY
SHE COULD FIND, USUALLY CONVENIENCE STORES, SHE WAS A
CONVENIENCE STORES, SHE WAS A SECRETARY FOR A DOCTOR FOR MANY
SECRETARY FOR A DOCTOR FOR MANY YEARS EVENTUALLY.
YEARS EVENTUALLY. BOTH MY PARENTS WORKED VERY HARD
BOTH MY PARENTS WORKED VERY HARD TO GET US OUT OF POVERTY.
TO GET US OUT OF POVERTY. >> WHAT OBSTACLES DID YOU FIND
>> WHAT OBSTACLES DID YOU FIND AS A YOUNG MAN WITH TWO
AS A YOUNG MAN WITH TWO DAUGHTERS.
DAUGHTERS. >> GROWING UP MY PARENTS MOVED
>> GROWING UP MY PARENTS MOVED US AROUND TO GET US OUT OF THE
US AROUND TO GET US OUT OF THE SO-CALLED BAD NEIGHBORHOODS, SO
SO-CALLED BAD NEIGHBORHOODS, SO THAT WAS THEIR DIEIDEA TO MOVE
THAT WAS THEIR DIEIDEA TO MOVE OUT OF POVERTY SO I WAS PICKED
OUT OF POVERTY SO I WAS PICKED ON A LOT.
ON A LOT. I GOT LOST IN THE EDUCATION
I GOT LOST IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL AT
SYSTEM, DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL AT A YOUNG AGE, STARTED
A YOUNG AGE, STARTED EXPERIMENTING WITH DRUGS AND
EXPERIMENTING WITH DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AND WENT DOWN THE WRONG
ALCOHOL AND WENT DOWN THE WRONG PATH.
PATH. WHEN MY FIRST DAUGHTER WAS BORN
WHEN MY FIRST DAUGHTER WAS BORN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD AND IT
I WAS 21 YEARS OLD AND IT SNAPPED ME INTO REALITY.
SNAPPED ME INTO REALITY. >> YOU SAID YOU LIVED AT CASA
>> YOU SAID YOU LIVED AT CASA MARIA, BECAUSE MOST OF IT IS A
MARIA, BECAUSE MOST OF IT IS A SERVICE AGENCY SO THERE'S SOME
SERVICE AGENCY SO THERE'S SOME WORKERS WHO ARE PERMANENT
WORKERS WHO ARE PERMANENT MEMBERS.
MEMBERS. >> YES I LIVE THERE WITH MY TWO
>> YES I LIVE THERE WITH MY TWO GIRLS.
GIRLS. ALL OF OUR NECESSITIES ARE
ALL OF OUR NECESSITIES ARE PROVIDED, OUR HOME, OUR
PROVIDED, OUR HOME, OUR CLOTHING, EVERYTHING COMES IN
CLOTHING, EVERYTHING COMES IN TWO DONATIONS.
TWO DONATIONS. SO WE LIVE THERE.
SO WE LIVE THERE. WE WORK THERE, MY DAUGHTERS ALSO
WE WORK THERE, MY DAUGHTERS ALSO HELP IN THE SOUP KITCHEN ON THE
HELP IN THE SOUP KITCHEN ON THE WEEKEND.
WEEKEND. >> SO ANDREA, ARE THESE THE KIND
>> SO ANDREA, ARE THESE THE KIND OF PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE ABLE TO
OF PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP THROUGH JOB PATH AND
HELP THROUGH JOB PATH AND EXPLAIN WHAT THE OPERATION IS.
EXPLAIN WHAT THE OPERATION IS. >> SURE, JOB PATH SPONSORS
>> SURE, JOB PATH SPONSORS ADULTS INTO TRAINING THAT LEADS
ADULTS INTO TRAINING THAT LEADS TO A GOOD JOB AT A GOOD WAGE AND
TO A GOOD JOB AT A GOOD WAGE AND WITH A CAREER POTENTIAL.
WITH A CAREER POTENTIAL. SO SOMEONE LIKE ALLEN CAME TO US
SO SOMEONE LIKE ALLEN CAME TO US AND HE HAD TO BE TOTALLY
AND HE HAD TO BE TOTALLY RETRAINED.
RETRAINED. HE'S NOT GOING TO BE WORKING
HE'S NOT GOING TO BE WORKING PORTS IN THE DESERT.
PORTS IN THE DESERT. SO HE TRAINED TO BE A CNA,
SO HE TRAINED TO BE A CNA, CERTIFIED NURSES ASSISTANT AND
CERTIFIED NURSES ASSISTANT AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WELL TRAINED
WE HAVE A LOT OF WELL TRAINED PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS IN TUCSONS.
PEOPLE AT ALL LEVELS IN TUCSONS. >> ONCE PEOPLE GET IN YOUR
>> ONCE PEOPLE GET IN YOUR PROGRAM, YOU'RE A FACILITATOR,
PROGRAM, YOU'RE A FACILITATOR, YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY OPERATING
YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY OPERATING PROGRAMS.
PROGRAMS. >> RIGHT.
>> RIGHT. WE SPONSOR PEOPLE IN TRAINING,
WE SPONSOR PEOPLE IN TRAINING, MOSTLY AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
MOSTLY AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE. AND SO WE WILL INTERVIEW THEM
AND SO WE WILL INTERVIEW THEM AND FIND OUT WHAT RESOURCES THEY
AND FIND OUT WHAT RESOURCES THEY HAVE AVAILABLE AND THEIR LEVEL
HAVE AVAILABLE AND THEIR LEVEL OF MOTIVATION TO WORK HARD IN A
OF MOTIVATION TO WORK HARD IN A COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT, WE GET THEM
COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT, WE GET THEM ENROLLED, WE GIVE THEM FINANCIAL
ENROLLED, WE GIVE THEM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT VARIES FROM
ASSISTANCE THAT VARIES FROM INDIVIDUAL TO INDIVIDUAL.
INDIVIDUAL TO INDIVIDUAL. WE LEVERAGE ASSISTANCE THAT IS
WE LEVERAGE ASSISTANCE THAT IS AVAILABLE IN PEL GRANTS AND
AVAILABLE IN PEL GRANTS AND FINANCIAL AID AND THE PLAN IS TO
FINANCIAL AID AND THE PLAN IS TO GET THEM THROUGH TWO YEARS
GET THEM THROUGH TWO YEARS TRAINING COURSE.
TRAINING COURSE. >> AND WHAT KIND OF JOBS ARE
>> AND WHAT KIND OF JOBS ARE THESE, WHAT KIND OF INCOME CAN
THESE, WHAT KIND OF INCOME CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO HAVE ONCE THEY
PEOPLE EXPECT TO HAVE ONCE THEY WENT THROUGH IT?
WENT THROUGH IT? >> SURE, THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN
>> SURE, THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN INCOME FROM THE TIME SOMEONE
INCOME FROM THE TIME SOMEONE ENTERS UNTIL THEY GRADUATE AND
ENTERS UNTIL THEY GRADUATE AND GET THEIR FIRST JOB IS OVER
GET THEIR FIRST JOB IS OVER $30,000 A YEAR.
$30,000 A YEAR. SO PEOPLE ARE MAKING IN THE 40s
SO PEOPLE ARE MAKING IN THE 40s WHEN THEY GRADUATE.
WHEN THEY GRADUATE. IT VARIES DEPENDING ON THE
IT VARIES DEPENDING ON THE CAREER THEY CHOOSE AND THE JOB
CAREER THEY CHOOSE AND THE JOB THEY GET.
THEY GET. SO WE'RE MOVING PEOPLE OUT OF
SO WE'RE MOVING PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY INTO THE MIDDLE CLASS IS
POVERTY INTO THE MIDDLE CLASS IS HOW IT WORKS.
HOW IT WORKS. >> SO ALLEN AND CESAR, LET'S
>> SO ALLEN AND CESAR, LET'S TALK ABOUT BASED ON YOUR
TALK ABOUT BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCES WHAT YOU SEE THAT WE
EXPERIENCES WHAT YOU SEE THAT WE NEED TO CHANGE IN ORDER TO GIVE
NEED TO CHANGE IN ORDER TO GIVE PEOPLE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO
PEOPLE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK THEIR WAY OUT OF POVERTY OR
WORK THEIR WAY OUT OF POVERTY OR REALLY TOUGH SITUATIONS, CESAR
REALLY TOUGH SITUATIONS, CESAR YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF
YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'VE SEEN IN YOUR
THE THINGS YOU'VE SEEN IN YOUR PAST.
PAST. >> YEAH AS A CATHOLIC WORKER,
>> YEAH AS A CATHOLIC WORKER, THE IDEA IS NOT JUST TO DO THE
THE IDEA IS NOT JUST TO DO THE CHARITY BUT ALSO FIGHT FOR
CHARITY BUT ALSO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE SO WE ORGANIZE AROUND
JUSTICE SO WE ORGANIZE AROUND THE TUCSON BUS RIDER COMMUNITY.
THE TUCSON BUS RIDER COMMUNITY. IN OUR COMMUNITY MOST PEOPLE
IN OUR COMMUNITY MOST PEOPLE DEPEND ON THE BUS.
DEPEND ON THE BUS. AND SO WE ORGANIZE THAT.
AND SO WE ORGANIZE THAT. ON THE 19th PEOPLE
ON THE 19th PEOPLE AND -- REGISTER FOR THE BUS
AND -- REGISTER FOR THE BUS RIDER.
RIDER. ANOTHER THING WE WORK AROUND IS
ANOTHER THING WE WORK AROUND IS PUBLIC EDUCATION.
PUBLIC EDUCATION. BOTH MY GIRLS ATTEND PUBLIC
BOTH MY GIRLS ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE TUSD SCHOOL
SCHOOLS IN THE TUSD SCHOOL DISTRICT, THEY HAVE SHUT DOWN 21
DISTRICT, THEY HAVE SHUT DOWN 21 SCHOOLS.
SCHOOLS. A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY ARE REALLY WILLING TO WORK BUT
ARE REALLY WILLING TO WORK BUT NO FULL TIME JOBS OUT THERE OR
NO FULL TIME JOBS OUT THERE OR NO LIVING WAGE JOBS OUT THERE.
NO LIVING WAGE JOBS OUT THERE. THEY HAVE TO SETTLE FOR PART
THEY HAVE TO SETTLE FOR PART TIME WORK AND IT MAKES IT REALLY
TIME WORK AND IT MAKES IT REALLY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO
DIFFICULT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO RAISE A FAMILY ON PART-TIME
RAISE A FAMILY ON PART-TIME JOBS.
JOBS. >> HOW DO YOU SEE THE SITUATION?
>> HOW DO YOU SEE THE SITUATION? >> I SEE MAYBE MORE
>> I SEE MAYBE MORE COLLABORATION AND LOANS,
COLLABORATION AND LOANS, DIFFERENT BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE
DIFFERENT BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE WAGES THAT ARE DECENT WAGES,
WAGES THAT ARE DECENT WAGES, TRAINING FROM VARIOUS PROGRAMS,
TRAINING FROM VARIOUS PROGRAMS, AND INCREASING THE EDUCATION,
AND INCREASING THE EDUCATION, NOT JUST FROM HIGH SCHOOLS AND
NOT JUST FROM HIGH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES TO DEVELOP MORE SKILLS.
COLLEGES TO DEVELOP MORE SKILLS. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SKILLS THAT
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SKILLS THAT IS NEEDED OR THE JOBS THAT ARE
IS NEEDED OR THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE, LET'S SAY EVEN IN THE
AVAILABLE, LET'S SAY EVEN IN THE NURSING PROGRAM THAT I WENT
NURSING PROGRAM THAT I WENT THROUGH, AND THE OCCUPATIONAL
THROUGH, AND THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY
THERAPY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS, WE NEED MORE GROUP AND
PROGRAMS, WE NEED MORE GROUP AND HELP TO GO THROUGH THOSE
HELP TO GO THROUGH THOSE PROGRAMS, NOT JUST GRANTS THAT
PROGRAMS, NOT JUST GRANTS THAT WIND UP WHEN YOU ARE FINISH A
WIND UP WHEN YOU ARE FINISH A PROGRAM YOU WIND UP WITH A
PROGRAM YOU WIND UP WITH A $40,000 GRANT, BUT SOMETHING YOU
$40,000 GRANT, BUT SOMETHING YOU CAN GET INTO IMMEDIATELY AND
CAN GET INTO IMMEDIATELY AND START BUILDING YOUR OWN BASE OF
START BUILDING YOUR OWN BASE OF INCOME.
INCOME. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO. >> YOU KNOW, I THINK ANOTHER
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK ANOTHER THING TO THAT IS REALLY
THING TO THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, THINKING ABOUT
IMPORTANT, THINKING ABOUT EDUCATION AS A HOLE FROM EARLY
EDUCATION AS A HOLE FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ALL THE
CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH COLLEGE LEVEL.
WAY THROUGH COLLEGE LEVEL. CERTAIN SCHOOLS HAVE VERY HIGH
CERTAIN SCHOOLS HAVE VERY HIGH DROP OUT RATES AND A LOT OF
DROP OUT RATES AND A LOT OF THESE KIDS END UP ON THE STREETS
THESE KIDS END UP ON THE STREETS OR WORK FAST FOOD PLACES IT
OR WORK FAST FOOD PLACES IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO GET GOOD
MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO GET GOOD PAYING JOBS AND HAVING GOOD JOB
PAYING JOBS AND HAVING GOOD JOB SKILLS.
SKILLS. I THINK WE TREAT PEOPLE WITH
I THINK WE TREAT PEOPLE WITH DRUG ADDICTIONS AS CRIMINALS
DRUG ADDICTIONS AS CRIMINALS RATHER THAN GIVING THEM THE HELP
RATHER THAN GIVING THEM THE HELP THEY REALLY NEED.
THEY REALLY NEED. >> WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THE WAR
>> WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THE WAR ON POVERTY FOR 50 YEARS, WHAT
ON POVERTY FOR 50 YEARS, WHAT ONE THING YOU SEE THAT WE COULD
ONE THING YOU SEE THAT WE COULD CHANGE.
CHANGE. >> WE NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE IN OUR
>> WE NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE IN OUR APPROACH.
APPROACH. WE NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE IN OUR
WE NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE IN OUR TRAINING, AND IN SEEKING THE
TRAINING, AND IN SEEKING THE JOBS, TRAIN FOR THE JOB THAT'S
JOBS, TRAIN FOR THE JOB THAT'S ARE REALLY THERE AND ARE GOING
ARE REALLY THERE AND ARE GOING TO BE THERE IN THE NEXT TWO OR
TO BE THERE IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS.
THREE YEARS. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
TODAY. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. >> NEXT WEEK WE'LL CONTINUE
>> NEXT WEEK WE'LL CONTINUE DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES AT A
DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES AT A FREE PUBLIC EVENT.
FREE PUBLIC EVENT. ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA IS
ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA IS SPONSORING A FORUM NEXT
SPONSORING A FORUM NEXT WEDNESDAY AT THE FOX THEATER
WEDNESDAY AT THE FOX THEATER DOWNTOWN.
DOWNTOWN. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE AZPM.ORG.
>>> THE DRUG STORE CHAIN CVS SAID TODAY IT WILL STOP SELLING
SAID TODAY IT WILL STOP SELLING CIGARETTES AND ALL OTHER TOBACCO
CIGARETTES AND ALL OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS BY OCTOBER.
PRODUCTS BY OCTOBER. THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE
THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE STORIES WE'RE COVERING ON
STORIES WE'RE COVERING ON TONIGHT'S NEWS.
>>> DON'T CALL BUSY RIOT A PUNK BAND, THE RUSSIAN BAND MATES
BAND, THE RUSSIAN BAND MATES WERE JAILED FOR TWO YEARS AFTER
WERE JAILED FOR TWO YEARS AFTER STAGING A PROTEST AGAINST
STAGING A PROTEST AGAINST PRESIDENT PUTIN TWO OF THEIR
PRESIDENT PUTIN TWO OF THEIR MEMBERS SPEAK OUT ON THE NEXT
MEMBERS SPEAK OUT ON THE NEXT MORNING EDITION OF NPR NEWS.
MORNING EDITION OF NPR NEWS. >>> 27% OF THE STATE'S HOMELESS
>>> 27% OF THE STATE'S HOMELESS POPULATION LIVES IN PUMA COUNTY
POPULATION LIVES IN PUMA COUNTY MAKING THE FREQUENCY OF
MAKING THE FREQUENCY OF HOMELESSNESS HIGHEST IN THE
HOMELESSNESS HIGHEST IN THE STATE AND HIGHER THAN THE
STATE AND HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, ACCORDING TO A
NATIONAL AVERAGE, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE ARIZONA
NEW REPORT FROM THE ARIZONA ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY.
SECURITY. DURING THE PAST SEVEN YEARS ONE
DURING THE PAST SEVEN YEARS ONE LOCAL GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS TOOK
LOCAL GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS TOOK TO THE STREETS TO HELP FEED THE
TO THE STREETS TO HELP FEED THE HUNGRY AND HOMELESS.
HUNGRY AND HOMELESS. ANDREW BROWN BRINGS US THE
ANDREW BROWN BRINGS US THE STORY.
STORY. >> WE SERVE RIGHT OUT OF THE
>> WE SERVE RIGHT OUT OF THE BACK.
BACK. WE HAVE HOT CHOCOLATE, SOUP, WE
WE HAVE HOT CHOCOLATE, SOUP, WE TRY TO GET BLANKETS, THEY
TRY TO GET BLANKETS, THEY USUALLY PROVIDE THOSE FROM FEMA.
USUALLY PROVIDE THOSE FROM FEMA. I TRY TO GET THIS AS FULL AS
I TRY TO GET THIS AS FULL AS POSSIBLE SO NOTHING FLOPS
POSSIBLE SO NOTHING FLOPS AROUND.
AROUND. >> IT IS THURSDAY NIGHT ON
>> IT IS THURSDAY NIGHT ON TUCSON'S WEST SIDE.
TUCSON'S WEST SIDE. JERRY AND THE REST OF HIS TEAM
JERRY AND THE REST OF HIS TEAM ARE LOADING THE MINISTRY'S VAN
ARE LOADING THE MINISTRY'S VAN WITH SOUP, HOT CHOCOLATE, BREAD
WITH SOUP, HOT CHOCOLATE, BREAD AND OTHER SUPPLIES BEFORE THEY
AND OTHER SUPPLIES BEFORE THEY HEAD OUT TO SERVE THE HOMELESS.
HEAD OUT TO SERVE THE HOMELESS. THEY ARE THE SOUP PATROL, THE
THEY ARE THE SOUP PATROL, THE MAIN COURSE IS HOT SOUP.
MAIN COURSE IS HOT SOUP. >> WE HAVE TO TEST IT FOR HEAT.
>> WE HAVE TO TEST IT FOR HEAT. WE'RE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE,
WE'RE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE, THEY COME IN AND INSPECT OUR
THEY COME IN AND INSPECT OUR KITCHENS AND WE'RE UP TO CODE.
KITCHENS AND WE'RE UP TO CODE. >> WEEKDAYS THE SOUP IS PREPARED
>> WEEKDAYS THE SOUP IS PREPARED BY CARRY DODD COMMUNITY KITCHEN,
BY CARRY DODD COMMUNITY KITCHEN, ON WEEKENDS VOLUNTEERS DO THE
ON WEEKENDS VOLUNTEERS DO THE COOKING IN THEIR OWN KITCHEN.
COOKING IN THEIR OWN KITCHEN. PRESS ILLA IS A MEMBER OF
PRESS ILLA IS A MEMBER OF TONIGHT'S SOUP PATROL.
TONIGHT'S SOUP PATROL. >> THEY ARE ALWAYS HUNGRY.
>> THEY ARE ALWAYS HUNGRY. IT IS AMAZING TO SEE SOMEONE
IT IS AMAZING TO SEE SOMEONE START EATING THE BREAD YOU GIVE
START EATING THE BREAD YOU GIVE THEM, IMMEDIATELY.
THEM, IMMEDIATELY. IT BRINGS TEARS TO YOUR EYES.
IT BRINGS TEARS TO YOUR EYES. YOU CAN'T HELP BUT BE MOVED.
YOU CAN'T HELP BUT BE MOVED. >> THEY ARE SNOW BIRDS SPENDING
>> THEY ARE SNOW BIRDS SPENDING SUMMERS IN WISCONSIN.
SUMMERS IN WISCONSIN. THEY HAVE VOLUNTEERED NEARLY
THEY HAVE VOLUNTEERED NEARLY EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT FOR THE
EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS.
PAST SIX YEARS. NIGHT THEY RIDE WITH ELLY.
NIGHT THEY RIDE WITH ELLY. >> SHE'S BEEN HERE SIX MONTHS
>> SHE'S BEEN HERE SIX MONTHS AND SHE JUST JUMPED RIGHT IN.
AND SHE JUST JUMPED RIGHT IN. >> THEY ARE FOUR OUT OF NEARLY
>> THEY ARE FOUR OUT OF NEARLY 70 VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE UP THE
70 VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE UP THE MATTHEW 25 MINISTRY WHICH IS ONE
MATTHEW 25 MINISTRY WHICH IS ONE OF NUMEROUS CHURCH-BASED GROUPS
OF NUMEROUS CHURCH-BASED GROUPS FINDING WAYS TO SERVE THE
FINDING WAYS TO SERVE THE HOMELESS IN TUCSON.
HOMELESS IN TUCSON. >> FOR THOSE SLEEPING OUTSIDE
>> FOR THOSE SLEEPING OUTSIDE WHO WANDER IN THE DAYTIME,
WHO WANDER IN THE DAYTIME, FAMILIES BROKEN.
FAMILIES BROKEN. >> AT THE CHURCH BEFORE WE LEAVE
>> AT THE CHURCH BEFORE WE LEAVE WE SAY A PRAYER AND THEN WE TALK
WE SAY A PRAYER AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT WHO WANTS TO DO WHAT.
ABOUT WHO WANTS TO DO WHAT. DO YOU WANT TO SERVE HOT
DO YOU WANT TO SERVE HOT CHOCOLATE, SOUP, WHAT DO YOU
CHOCOLATE, SOUP, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO AND THEN WE JUST GO
WANT TO DO AND THEN WE JUST GO AND DO IT.
AND DO IT. >> THEY LEAVE THE CHURCH AT 6:20
>> THEY LEAVE THE CHURCH AT 6:20 AND MAKE SEVEN STOPS OVER THE
AND MAKE SEVEN STOPS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE HOURS.
NEXT COUPLE HOURS. >> WE TRY TO BE ON TIME BECAUSE
>> WE TRY TO BE ON TIME BECAUSE THEY'RE WAITING FOR US.
THEY'RE WAITING FOR US. THEY HAVE THINGS TO DO TOO,
THEY HAVE THINGS TO DO TOO, ALSO.
ALSO. SO WE TRY TO BE THERE AT A
SO WE TRY TO BE THERE AT A CERTAIN TIME.
CERTAIN TIME. SOME PEOPLE WANT TO TALK, SOME
SOME PEOPLE WANT TO TALK, SOME DON'T.
DON'T. I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT
I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF IT TOO IS TO MAKE
PART OF IT TOO IS TO MAKE SOMEONE FEEL RESPECTED LIKE
SOMEONE FEEL RESPECTED LIKE YOU'RE NOT JUST SHOVING
YOU'RE NOT JUST SHOVING SOMETHING AT THEM.
SOMETHING AT THEM. JUST HELLO AND HOW YOU DOING.
JUST HELLO AND HOW YOU DOING. JUST TAKES A MINUTE TO DO THAT
JUST TAKES A MINUTE TO DO THAT AND SOMETIMES IT IS PRETTY
AND SOMETIMES IT IS PRETTY IMPORTANT.
IMPORTANT. >> THE FIRST STOP IS THE PARK,
>> THE FIRST STOP IS THE PARK, THE TEAM ARRIVES PROMPTLY AT
THE TEAM ARRIVES PROMPTLY AT 6:30 AND A GROUP OF MEN ALREADY
6:30 AND A GROUP OF MEN ALREADY GATHERED AROUND THE VAN.
GATHERED AROUND THE VAN. THEY OFFER SOUP, CLOTHES, AND
THEY OFFER SOUP, CLOTHES, AND WELL WISHES.
WELL WISHES. THE MEN ARE MOSTLY QUIET
THE MEN ARE MOSTLY QUIET REPRESENTING THE HANDFUL OF MORE
REPRESENTING THE HANDFUL OF MORE THAN 2200 COUNTED IN LAST YEAR'S
THAN 2200 COUNTED IN LAST YEAR'S STREET COUNT.
STREET COUNT. MOST FOLKS WHO WORK IN SOCIAL
MOST FOLKS WHO WORK IN SOCIAL SERVICES THAT SURVEY DOESN'T
SERVICES THAT SURVEY DOESN'T PAINT AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE
PAINT AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL NUMBERS.
ACTUAL NUMBERS. NEXT STOP FOR THE SOUP PATROL IS
NEXT STOP FOR THE SOUP PATROL IS THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY.
THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOD BLESS.
GOD BLESS. >> GOD BLESS YOU.
>> GOD BLESS YOU. >> MY NAME IS DAN DUN, I MOVED
>> MY NAME IS DAN DUN, I MOVED TO TUCSON ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
TO TUCSON ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I MOVED HERE BECAUSE MY THREE
I MOVED HERE BECAUSE MY THREE GRANDDAUGHTERS LIVE HERE AND I
GRANDDAUGHTERS LIVE HERE AND I WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH
WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEM.
THEM. THEY NEED TO KNOW THEIR GRANDPA
THEY NEED TO KNOW THEIR GRANDPA BETTER.
BETTER. THEY GOT SOME HOT COCOA AND
THEY GOT SOME HOT COCOA AND TASTY BEEF STEW, LOOKS GOOD ANY
TASTY BEEF STEW, LOOKS GOOD ANY TIME.
TIME. MAN NEEDS TO EAT.
MAN NEEDS TO EAT. >> SOUP PATROL ORGANIZERS SAY
>> SOUP PATROL ORGANIZERS SAY THEIR NUMBERS ARE UP, ONE NIGHT
THEIR NUMBERS ARE UP, ONE NIGHT SERVING OVER 200 PEOPLE,
SERVING OVER 200 PEOPLE, PREVIOUS THURSDAY SERVING 176.
PREVIOUS THURSDAY SERVING 176. HE SEES A CHANGE IN THE
HE SEES A CHANGE IN THE POPULATION.
POPULATION. >> ONE THING I SEE IS YOUNG
>> ONE THING I SEE IS YOUNG PEOPLE, SOME CHILDREN, YOU SEE
PEOPLE, SOME CHILDREN, YOU SEE SOMETIMES MORE OF THAT.
SOMETIMES MORE OF THAT. AND MORE LADIES.
AND MORE LADIES. IT USED TO BE A LOT OF MEN BUT
IT USED TO BE A LOT OF MEN BUT YOU SEE MORE LADIES NOW TOO.
YOU SEE MORE LADIES NOW TOO. AND THE NUMBERS ARE UP TOO.
AND THE NUMBERS ARE UP TOO. YOU'RE SEEING MORE OF THAT.
>> A LOT OF TIMES WHAT WE EAT IS LIKE COLD FOOD, SANDWICHES AND
LIKE COLD FOOD, SANDWICHES AND THE LIKES OF THAT.
THE LIKES OF THAT. SO HAVING A HOT MEAL, REALLY
SO HAVING A HOT MEAL, REALLY MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. >> WILLIAMS SAYS HE'S GRATEFUL
>> WILLIAMS SAYS HE'S GRATEFUL FOR THE SOUP PATROL AND THEIR
FOR THE SOUP PATROL AND THEIR WORK.
WORK. HE SHARES A SIMILAR CONCERN FOR
HE SHARES A SIMILAR CONCERN FOR HIS HOMELESS BROTHERS.
HIS HOMELESS BROTHERS. >> OCCASIONALLY WE WILL GRAB
>> OCCASIONALLY WE WILL GRAB SOUPS FOR A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO
SOUPS FOR A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAMP AT THIS LOCATION.
CAMP AT THIS LOCATION. OF COURSE THERE'S LEFT OVERS IF
OF COURSE THERE'S LEFT OVERS IF SOMEONE IS HUNGRY WE GIVE IT TO
SOMEONE IS HUNGRY WE GIVE IT TO THEM.
>> NOW I HAVE MANY, MANY BLANKETS, THAT'S ONE THING I
BLANKETS, THAT'S ONE THING I KEEP, MY BLANKETS AND MY
KEEP, MY BLANKETS AND MY SLEEPING BAG AND I CAMP RIGHT
SLEEPING BAG AND I CAMP RIGHT NEXT TO A SOUP PATROL SPOT.
NEXT TO A SOUP PATROL SPOT. >> SOME OF THESE GUYS WOULDN'T
>> SOME OF THESE GUYS WOULDN'T EVEN EAT IF YOU WEREN'T OUT
EVEN EAT IF YOU WEREN'T OUT HERE.
HERE. >> LAST STOP ON THIS NIGHT IS
>> LAST STOP ON THIS NIGHT IS THE PARK IN DOWNTOWN TUCSON.
THE PARK IN DOWNTOWN TUCSON. >> IF WE GOT ANYTHING LEFT OVER
>> IF WE GOT ANYTHING LEFT OVER WE GOT A COUPLE OTHER PLACES WE
WE GOT A COUPLE OTHER PLACES WE GO ALSO, PLACE WHERE'S PEOPLE
GO ALSO, PLACE WHERE'S PEOPLE ARE IN NEED OF FOOD.
ARE IN NEED OF FOOD. >> WHEN YOU ARE OUT ON THE
>> WHEN YOU ARE OUT ON THE STREETS, NO FOOD AT 7:00 AT
STREETS, NO FOOD AT 7:00 AT NIGHT, GETTING FOOD MAKES IT SO
NIGHT, GETTING FOOD MAKES IT SO YOU CAN SLEEP.
YOU CAN SLEEP. >> HE AND HIS WIFE ARE RECENT
>> HE AND HIS WIFE ARE RECENT ARRIVALS, ASIDE FROM A FEW,
ARRIVALS, ASIDE FROM A FEW, PEOPLE IN TUCSON HAVE BEEN KIND
PEOPLE IN TUCSON HAVE BEEN KIND AND GENEROUS.
AND GENEROUS. THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING ON THE
THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING ON THE STREETS FOR OVER A YEAR.
STREETS FOR OVER A YEAR. >> HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE
>> HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE TOO, THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO GET
TOO, THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO GET BY LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
BY LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. NOBODY KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED.
NOBODY KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY BEEN
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY BEEN THROUGH OR WHAT HAPPENED TO
THROUGH OR WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM.
THEM. THERE'S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
THERE'S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF US.
US. EVERYBODY'S GOT A DIFFERENT
EVERYBODY'S GOT A DIFFERENT STORY.
STORY. >> JERRY AND PRISCILLA SAY THEIR
>> JERRY AND PRISCILLA SAY THEIR WORK ON THE SOUP PATROL IN THE
WORK ON THE SOUP PATROL IN THE LAST SIX YEARS HAS BEEN
LAST SIX YEARS HAS BEEN REWARDING IN MANY WAYS AND
REWARDING IN MANY WAYS AND GIVING BACK BROUGHT THEM JOY AND
GIVING BACK BROUGHT THEM JOY AND NEW PERSPECTIVES.
NEW PERSPECTIVES. >> I THINK AT ONE TIME IN MY
>> I THINK AT ONE TIME IN MY LIFE I LOOKED DOWN.
LIFE I LOOKED DOWN. I DON'T LOOK DOWN ON PEOPLE ANY
I DON'T LOOK DOWN ON PEOPLE ANY MORE.
MORE. I FEEL SORRY FOR THEM AND WISH
I FEEL SORRY FOR THEM AND WISH WELL FOR THEM.
WELL FOR THEM. EVERYBODY HAS A STORY AND WE
EVERYBODY HAS A STORY AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR SITUATION
DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR SITUATION IS.
IS. SOMETIMES YOU JUST THINK THAT
SOMETIMES YOU JUST THINK THAT THEY JUST WANT TO BE LIKE THIS.
THEY JUST WANT TO BE LIKE THIS. >> I DON'T THINK THIS IS A FIRST
>> I DON'T THINK THIS IS A FIRST CHOICE FOR ANYBODY.
CHOICE FOR ANYBODY. >> NO.
>>> VENDORS ARE IN TOWN SELLING BEADS AND JEWELRY TO THOSE OF US
BEADS AND JEWELRY TO THOSE OF US WHO LIVE HERE AND DRAWN BY THE
WHO LIVE HERE AND DRAWN BY THE SHOW AND OUR CLIMATE.
SHOW AND OUR CLIMATE. JOINING ME IN THE STUDIO TO
JOINING ME IN THE STUDIO TO DISCUSS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF
DISCUSS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE SHOW THROUGHOUT TUCSON IS
THE SHOW THROUGHOUT TUCSON IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF VISIT
THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF VISIT TUCSON.
TUCSON. THANKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY. >> THANK YOU MARIEIA.
>> THANK YOU MARIEIA. >> TELL US HOW MANY VENDORS AND
>> TELL US HOW MANY VENDORS AND VISITORS ARE HERE.
VISITORS ARE HERE. >> WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
>> WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS. WE WISH EVERY MONTH WAS FEBRUARY
WE WISH EVERY MONTH WAS FEBRUARY W4
W4 .
. THE BIG ONE IS THE GEM SHOW.
THE BIG ONE IS THE GEM SHOW. MORE THAN 40 SHOWS WILL OPERATE
MORE THAN 40 SHOWS WILL OPERATE FEBRUARY 1st THROUGH THE 16th.
FEBRUARY 1st THROUGH THE 16th. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF VISITORS ROUGHLY 50,000 PEOPLE
VISITORS ROUGHLY 50,000 PEOPLE IS WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING.
IS WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING. WE HAVE ABOUT 15,000 HOTEL ROOMS
WE HAVE ABOUT 15,000 HOTEL ROOMS THROUGHOUT METRO TUCSON AND
THROUGHOUT METRO TUCSON AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM WILL BE
ALMOST ALL OF THEM WILL BE FILLED THROUGH THE MONTH OF
FILLED THROUGH THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.
FEBRUARY. WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. >> WHAT'S THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF
>> WHAT'S THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT IN OUR AREA.
ECONOMIC IMPACT IN OUR AREA. >> IN 2007 WE FOUND IT WAS $100
>> IN 2007 WE FOUND IT WAS $100 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT JUST
MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT JUST FROM THE GYM SHOW.
FROM THE GYM SHOW. SO WE HAVE THAT STUDY IN PLACE
SO WE HAVE THAT STUDY IN PLACE AGAIN THIS YEAR.
AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE'RE EAGER TO UPDATE THAT.
WE'RE EAGER TO UPDATE THAT. THE PAST FEW YEARS AFTER THE
THE PAST FEW YEARS AFTER THE RECESSION WE LOWERED IT TO $65
RECESSION WE LOWERED IT TO $65 MILLION.
MILLION. WE WILL FIND OUT MORE IN THE
WE WILL FIND OUT MORE IN THE COMING DAYS.
COMING DAYS. >> HOW DO YOU CALCULATE THAT
>> HOW DO YOU CALCULATE THAT FIGURE?
FIGURE? >> WE HAVE INTERCEPT INTERVIEWS
>> WE HAVE INTERCEPT INTERVIEWS GOING ON.
GOING ON. WE HAVE A LOCAL COMPANY IN
WE HAVE A LOCAL COMPANY IN TUCSON WHO GOES OUT AND
TUCSON WHO GOES OUT AND INTERVIEWS THE OWNERS AND
INTERVIEWS THE OWNERS AND OPERATORS AND EXHIBITORS AND
OPERATORS AND EXHIBITORS AND BUYERS AND ATTENDEE AS WELL.
BUYERS AND ATTENDEE AS WELL. WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW
WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT
MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT THROUGH THE THE DESTINATION ON
THROUGH THE THE DESTINATION ON ANYTHING FROM RENTING SPACE TO
ANYTHING FROM RENTING SPACE TO HOTELS AND FOOD, ET CETERA, ALSO
HOTELS AND FOOD, ET CETERA, ALSO THERE IS TYPICALLY A MULTIPLIER
THERE IS TYPICALLY A MULTIPLIER AND IMPACT STUDIES OF 1 AND 1.5
AND IMPACT STUDIES OF 1 AND 1.5 TIMES THE DIRECT SPEND THAT
TIMES THE DIRECT SPEND THAT WOULD GIVE A TOTAL ECONOMIC
WOULD GIVE A TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT FIGURE.
IMPACT FIGURE. >> IF YOU WOULD HAVE TO GUESS
>> IF YOU WOULD HAVE TO GUESS BETWEEN $100 MILLION OF A FEW
BETWEEN $100 MILLION OF A FEW YEARS AGO AND A LOWER FIGURE DO
YEARS AGO AND A LOWER FIGURE DO YOU THINK WE ARE BACK UP.
YOU THINK WE ARE BACK UP. >> I THINK SO.
>> I THINK SO. IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF WE
IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF WE WEREN'T IN THE 80 TO $85 MILLION
WEREN'T IN THE 80 TO $85 MILLION RANGE.
RANGE. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE LOW.
HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE LOW. >> WELL YOU TALKED ABOUT THE
>> WELL YOU TALKED ABOUT THE SPECIFIC IMPACT OF THE GEM
SPECIFIC IMPACT OF THE GEM SHOWS, BUT WHAT ABOUT, COULD YOU
SHOWS, BUT WHAT ABOUT, COULD YOU BREAK IT DOWN FOR US IN TERMS OF
BREAK IT DOWN FOR US IN TERMS OF THE ENTIRE WINTER SEASON AND
THE ENTIRE WINTER SEASON AND THEN THE ROLE IN THAT, ALSO THE
THEN THE ROLE IN THAT, ALSO THE RODEO AND THE GOLF TOURNAMENT
RODEO AND THE GOLF TOURNAMENT COMING UP AND THAT ENTIRE WINTER
COMING UP AND THAT ENTIRE WINTER SEASON ECONOMIC IMPACT.
SEASON ECONOMIC IMPACT. >> ABSOLUTELY AS WE LOOK AT
>> ABSOLUTELY AS WE LOOK AT WINTER THAT IS OUR PEAK SEASON
WINTER THAT IS OUR PEAK SEASON FOR TOURISM.
FOR TOURISM. WE LOOK AT JANUARY THROUGH APRIL
WE LOOK AT JANUARY THROUGH APRIL TIME FRAME WHEN WE NEED TO MAKE
TIME FRAME WHEN WE NEED TO MAKE THE MONEY.
THE MONEY. WE LOOK AT TOTAL NUMBERS ON A
WE LOOK AT TOTAL NUMBERS ON A YEAR ROUND STANDPOINT, $2.1
YEAR ROUND STANDPOINT, $2.1 BILLION IS WHAT VISITORS SPEND
BILLION IS WHAT VISITORS SPEND IN TUCSON ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BUT
IN TUCSON ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BUT HAS BEEN STAGNANT IN RECENT
HAS BEEN STAGNANT IN RECENT YEARS.
YEARS. WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO MARKET
WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO MARKET TUCSON AND ARIZONA, I THINK WE
TUCSON AND ARIZONA, I THINK WE STARTING TO REALLY SEE SOME
STARTING TO REALLY SEE SOME TRACTION.
TRACTION. THIS POLAR VORTEX WAS HELPFUL
THIS POLAR VORTEX WAS HELPFUL BEING ABLE TO GET OUT AND TALK
BEING ABLE TO GET OUT AND TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER AND
ABOUT THE WEATHER AND ATTRACTIONS HELP IN A LOT OF
ATTRACTIONS HELP IN A LOT OF WAYS AND PUTTING THOSE IN TOP
WAYS AND PUTTING THOSE IN TOP FEEDER MARKETS LIKE NEW YORK AND
FEEDER MARKETS LIKE NEW YORK AND CHICAGO AND SAN FRANCISCO,
CHICAGO AND SAN FRANCISCO, PHOENIX IS ALSO AN EMERGING
PHOENIX IS ALSO AN EMERGING MARKET FOR US.
MARKET FOR US. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MARKET ON A
WE WILL CONTINUE TO MARKET ON A YEAR ROUND BASIS.
YEAR ROUND BASIS. BUT WINTER SPECIFICALLY WE NEED
BUT WINTER SPECIFICALLY WE NEED TO MAKE THE MONEY DURING THIS
TO MAKE THE MONEY DURING THIS TIME FRAME, BIGGEST WAY TO DO
TIME FRAME, BIGGEST WAY TO DO THAT IS THROUGH EVENTS.
THAT IS THROUGH EVENTS. GOING BACK TO THE RODEO AND GOLF
GOING BACK TO THE RODEO AND GOLF TOURNAMENT.
TOURNAMENT. THE RODEO IS ONE OF THOSE EVENTS
THE RODEO IS ONE OF THOSE EVENTS THAT LOST A LITTLE BIT OF ITS
THAT LOST A LITTLE BIT OF ITS LUSTER NATIONALALLY BUT LOCALLY
LUSTER NATIONALALLY BUT LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY IT IS STILL ONE
AND REGIONALLY IT IS STILL ONE OF THE TOP 25 RODEOS IN THE
OF THE TOP 25 RODEOS IN THE UNITED STATES.
UNITED STATES. THAT IMPACT IS MAJOR AND BEING
THAT IMPACT IS MAJOR AND BEING ABLE TO ATTRACT OVER 100,000
ABLE TO ATTRACT OVER 100,000 PEOPLE TO THE PARADE ROUTE.
PEOPLE TO THE PARADE ROUTE. IT IS A TUCSON TRADITION AND ONE
IT IS A TUCSON TRADITION AND ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHEN WE TAKE A
OF THOSE THINGS WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT TOURISM, IF WE CAN BUILD
LOOK AT TOURISM, IF WE CAN BUILD EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT WORK
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT WORK FOR VISITORS AND ADD TO THE
FOR VISITORS AND ADD TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE THOSE ARE THE
QUALITY OF LIFE THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS ATTRACTED TO
TYPES OF THINGS ATTRACTED TO VISITO
VISITO VISITO
VISITO VISITORS.
VISITORS. >> IN THE TIME WE HAVE LEFT
>> IN THE TIME WE HAVE LEFT TODAY TALK ABOUT THE NEW
TODAY TALK ABOUT THE NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT'S GOING ON
DEVELOPMENT THAT'S GOING ON DOWNTOWN, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE
DOWNTOWN, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A NEW HOTEL COMING, WE HOPE, THE
A NEW HOTEL COMING, WE HOPE, THE MODERN STREET CAR, A MAJOR
MODERN STREET CAR, A MAJOR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY
INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER, THAT MUST BE A BOOM FOR
CENTER, THAT MUST BE A BOOM FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN TRYING
YOUR ORGANIZATION IN TRYING ATTRACT PEOPLE HERE IN DIFFERENT
ATTRACT PEOPLE HERE IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF GROUPS.
KINDS OF GROUPS. >> ABSOLUTELY FROM OUR
>> ABSOLUTELY FROM OUR STANDPOINT WE ARE INTERESTED ON
STANDPOINT WE ARE INTERESTED ON THE CONVENTION SIDE, BEING ABLE
THE CONVENTION SIDE, BEING ABLE TO BRING IN NEW GROUPS.
TO BRING IN NEW GROUPS. IF WE WANT TO GROW WE HAVE TO DO
IF WE WANT TO GROW WE HAVE TO DO IT THROUGH GROUPS.
IT THROUGH GROUPS. WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW AN $8
WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW AN $8 MILLION INVESTMENT INTO THE
MILLION INVESTMENT INTO THE ARENA, I THINK THE ARENA ONCE IT
ARENA, I THINK THE ARENA ONCE IT IS FIN ISHED WILL BE REALLY
IS FIN ISHED WILL BE REALLY VIABLE.
VIABLE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
HERE TODAY. >> MY PLEASURE.
>> MY PLEASURE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.