Letter: Ways to break the cycle of poverty

Re: the Leader’s Mailbag on Aug. 16 had great letters from across the political divide. First Mr. Veazy’s idea for a business incubator, or even more targeted with my own addition, a tech incubator. Tech companies typically bring in good-paying jobs and better-than-average benefits. On the other end of the spectrum we have Molly Shore’s quite on-point message that our city’s mass transit options and benefits are vanishing. Burbank’s post-55 retired residents need access to as many transit options as possible. It seems returning to a subsidized monthly Metro pass would be a welcome relief for those who can’t afford the high gas prices.

Taking these ideas further, one of the best ways to break the poverty cycle is education. I saw that Burbank Adult School’s budget has also been hit. A robust adult education program pays for itself many times over. It shouldn’t be a difficult task for a great city like Burbank to develop and maintain a schedule of classes in English as a second language (ESL), computer and vocational training.

What about getting some local sponsorship for training in-demand skills? Subsidized computer graphics classes sponsored by Nickelodeon and their friendly competitor across the way, Cartoon Network? Information technology certification classes sponsored by the numerous companies who are always looking for great IT workers? Follow them up with internships and now you have an educated and experienced workforce. No doubt this is easier said than done, but I’ve seen impactful and meaningful programs Burbank has put together and these would be no different.

Alfred Aboulsaad
Burbank