Unemployed valley residents share their stories of struggle

Fifty dollars a week. That is what Mickey Madina budgets for herself and her son, Julian Barela.

Madina and Barela, 21, moved to the valley from Pueblo, Colo., a little more than three months ago, and neither has been able to find steady employment.

Madina and Barela are two of more than 100,000 unemployed in Clark County, according to the latest statistics from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

That $50 a week has to cover everything, Madina said, including food and gas. They are living for the time being with extended family in a Spring Valley home. While in Colorado, Madina made minimum wage working as a telemarketer.

"It wasn't much, but at least it was steady income," she said.

She said she moved to Las Vegas to find a better job. Asked if she regrets the decision, she gritted her teeth.

"I just try to stay positive," she said.

Madina was waiting in line Jan. 2 at Nevada JobConnect, 3405 S. Maryland Parkway. JobConnect is a federally funded network of local and state offices that acts as an intermediary for employers and job-seekers. Employers send open positions to JobConnect where counselors attempt to match interested applicants.

Madina has been to the office several times but to no avail. She comes to the office every week and goes through the same routine. She registers with the receptionist, then checks the job board for positions that pique her interest. She also gets on the waiting list to use a computer to print résumés - she can print up to 10 copies free. On the way home, she stops at several businesses to inquire about work and pass out those résumés.

Madina said she has tried everything, including online job searches, but has not had any luck. The only work she has found is helping friends with babysitting, transportation or other small tasks. Her son gets lighting and production jobs every couple of weeks, such as at conventions.

"I'll take anything," Madina said.
"... We thought we'd come out here and do good, but we haven't found anything."

Nevada's unemployment rate dropped to 10.8 percent in November from 11.5 percent in October, its lowest since March 2009, according to the department. The rate in November 2011 was 13.2 percent.

In Las Vegas, the rate dropped to 10.4 percent, compared to 11.1 percent in October and 13 percent in November 2011.

Nevada's unemployment rate ranked No. 1 in the nation, with Rhode Island ranking No. 2 at 10.4 percent. Nevada has led in that category since May 2010. The national average was 7.7 percent.

Ryan Kennelly, an economic analyst for the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said the valley's recovery is tied to other states' recoveries.

"We're mainly dependent on growth elsewhere because tourism is such a big part of our economy," Kennelly said. "We expect the U.S. and West to continue growing at a moderate rate. We might see a pick up in growth in 2014 and 2015 but not 2013."

Kennelly said unemployment is projected to decrease 1.4 percent in 2013.

"It's a slow recovery," he said. "We're not expecting the U.S. economy to get going for another year or two. It will help our tourism sector a lot. Gaming revenue will grow and gradually will leak into our economy."

Cesar Bravo is another valley resident who was searching for work at JobConnect Jan. 2. Until about a year ago, he worked in analysis and intelligence in the Air Force but left when his time was up and he thought he had a job waiting for him. Bravo said his savings are running out.

"I think what's going to happen is I'm going to lose everything else I have left," he said. "I might end up declaring bankruptcy and then just starting over."

Bravo said he will probably move in with his mother. He also said he would like to relocate but cannot afford to.

Most of the jobs posted at JobConnect offered $8.25 per hour, minimum wage or close to it, and most jobs were part-time.

"This unemployment market is like legal slavery," Bravo said. "Minimum wage won't get me out of the situation I'm in. They want you to do this and this and this, and if you can't do it, they fire you and find someone else."

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 702-224-5524.