SURVEY RESULTS FOR RESIDENTS OF

HARDIN, JEFFERSON AND ORANGE COUNTIES

Prepared by Dr. James Vanderleeuw, Director, Lamar University Center

for Public Policy Studies, with Dr. Jason Sides and Dr. Thomas Sowers, Department of Political Science, Lamar University. Also, Lamar

University students Adeola Adeyemo, Macy Deng, Sarah Irwin, Joanna

Joseph, Candida Rodriguez and Brian Williams.

In collaboration with Catholic Charities, Carol Fernandez, CEO and the

Lamar University Community Outreach Program, Elton Payne, Director.

Funding provided by Entergy.

Methodology

Permission was requested from church, civic and nonprofit leaders to distribute

surveys to members of their congregation/organization; at least three attempts were

made to contact all such groups where an email address or phone number could be

obtained.

The identification of, and collection of information on churches and agencies

began in the summer of 2012. The effort to contact church and community

organization leaders began during the fall of 2012 and continued through the

summer of 2013. The report was finalized by February 2014.

In all, 26 organizations form Hardin, Orange and Jefferson counties participated in

the study. This effort yielded 384 returned surveys.

The following tables display needs regarding Employment (tables 1-4), Education

(tables 5-7) and Housing (Table 8). Following these tables are respondent

socioeconomic characteristics and a list of participating organizations.

Most Citizens Say lack of Education Contributes to Unemployment in Their Community

Table 1: Unemployment is a problem in this area because (check all that apply)

% of Surveys n

Lack of Education 56 213

Lack of Good Paying Jobs with Benefits 47 181

Substance Abuse 43 166

Problems with Child Care (hours, cost…) 38 146

Cost/Lack of Transportation 33 125

Lack of Computer Skills 29 112

Language Skills 27 105

Employers Leaving the Area 21 80

Percent for each item is the number of returned surveys where the item was checked divided by the total number of returned surveys (N=384 for Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties); column percent will not add to 100 because respondents could check more than one item.

Citizens Identify Lack of Education as a Key Barrier to Their Own Employment Goals

Table 2: Please identify your barriers to securing employment (check all that apply)

% of Surveys n

Education 23 89

Credit History 13 50

Criminal Background 12 46

Lack of Reliable Transportation 11 44

Lack of High School Diploma/GED 11 41

Permanent Health/Disability 11 41

Lack of Reliable Dependent Care 9 36

Language 8 30

Lack of Proper ID (driver’s license…) 8 29

Temporary Disability Problem 5 20

Unauthorized to Work (expired green card…) 5 19

Pregnancy/Illness 5 18

Emotionally Unable to Work 3 12

Lack of Veteran Status 2 7

Percent for each item is the number of returned surveys where the item was checked divided by the total number of returned surveys (N=384 for Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties); column percent will not add to 100 because respondents could check more than one item.

Most Citizens are Employed Full-Time, Though a Sizable Portion are Unemployed and Not Looking for Work

Table 3: What is your current employment situation? (check only one)

% n

Employed Full Time 56 206

Unemployed, Not Looking for Work 24 89

Employed Part Time 12 44

Unemployed, Looking for Work 7 26

Of the 384 returned surveys from Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties, 365 contained a response to this question; column percentages are based on 365; column percentages do not add to 100 due to rounding.

Among Individuals Who Need Unemployment Services, Various Services are Needed – These Include Skills Training, Resume Writing and Help with a Career Search

Table 4: Do you need any of the following employment services? (check all that apply)

% of Surveys n

Skills Training 12 47

Resume Writing 11 44

Career Search 11 41

Job Seeking 9 36

Job Interview Skills 8 32

Small Business Ownership 7 27

Dress for Success 5 21

Vocational Rehabilitation 5 19

Percent for each item is the number of returned surveys where the item was checked divided by the total number of returned surveys (N=384 for Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties); column percent will not add to 100 because respondents could check more than one item.

Citizens Say that Lack of Tuition is a Key Educational Problem in Their Community

Table 5: Education is a problem in this area because (check all that apply)

% of Surveys n

Lack of Tuition Money 45 174

Lack of College Education 32 122

Lack of Dropout Prevention Program 27 102

No High School Diploma 22 84

Lack of Vocational Skills Programs 21 82

Lack of Computer Skills Programs 21 81

Problems with Child Care (hours, cost…) 21 81

Cost/Lack of Transportation 20 75

Threats of Violence in School 14 55

Lack of GED Programs 13 49

Lack of Preschool Programs 8 30

Percent for each item is the number of returned surveys where the item was checked divided by the total number of returned

surveys (N=384 for Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties); column percent will not add to 100 because respondents could check more than one item

Among Individuals Who Identify a Barrier to Their Own Educational Goals, Multiple Barriers are Identified – These Include Lack of Dependable Transportation and Prior Default on School Loans

Table 6: Please identify your barriers to completing or continuing your education (check all

that apply)

% of Surveys n

Default on School Loan 8 31

Previous Difficulty with School 6 24

Dependable Transportation 5 20

Criminal Background 4 14

Dependable Child/Dependent Care 4 17

Lack of High School Diploma/GED 3 13

Percent for each item is the number of returned surveys where the item was checked divided by the total number of returned

surveys (N=384 for Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties); column percent will not add to 100 because respondents could check more than one item

Among Individuals Who Need Educational Services, Financial Aid Dominates

Table 7: Do you need any of the following educational services? (check all that apply)

% of Surveys n

Financial Aid 17 65

Tutoring, Reading, Math, Science… 7 28

Vocational Rehabilitation 4 17

English as a Second Language 4 15

ABE/BED Classes 4 14

Citizenship Classes 2 8

Veterans Benefits 2 7

Percent for each item is the number of returned surveys where the item was checked divided by the total number of returned

surveys (N=384 for Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties); column percent will not add to 100 because respondents could check more than one item

Citizens Say Cost is a Problem to Obtaining Housingin Their Community

Table 8: Housing is a problem in this area because (check all that apply)

% of Surveys n

Monthly Cost of Rent/House Payment 36 138

Affordable Rental House/Apt not Available 28 106

Move-in-Costs (deposit for rent, utilities) 24 93

Long Wait List for Section 8 or Other Housing

Assistance 21 82

Affordable Single Family House not Available for

Purchase 21 80

Housing Not Avail in Accept Neighborhoods 19 74

Lack of Shelters for Families, Women, Men 17 65

Lack of Assistance for Repairs/Maintenance 15 58

Lack of Supportive Services 13 49

Lack of Public Housing 10 38

Housing Size Does Not Meet Family Needs 9 33

Percent for each item is the number of returned surveys where the item was checked divided by the total number of returned surveys (N=384 for Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties); column percent will not add to 100 because respondents could check more than one item

Characteristics of Survey Respondents

Mean Age = 49 (N=359)

Gender = 67% Female (n=241), 33% Male (n=118)

Ethnicity/Race:

Asian American = 1% (n=4)

African American = 26% (n=94)

Hispanic/Latino = 9% (n=33)

Caucasian (non-Hispanic) = 63% (n=223)

Other = 1% (n=2)

Household Income:

Above $100,000 = 20% (n=70)

$75,001 to $100,000 = 14% (n=48)

$50,001 to $75,000 = 20% (n=69)

$25,001 to $50,000 = 25% (n=87)

$10,000 to $25,000 = 13% (n=45)

Below $10,000 = 8% (n=27) Does not add to 100% due to rounding

Education Level:

Master’s or Ph.D. = 17% (n=59)

Bachelor’s Degree = 24% (n=83)

Some College or Associate’s Degree = 38% (n=133)

High School or GED = 18% (n=63)

Less than High School = 4% (n=14) Does not add to 100% due to rounding

Participating Church and Community Organizations from Hardin, Jefferson and Orange CountiesOrganization City County

Calder Baptist Church Beaumont Beaumont Jefferson

Circle Drive Baptist Church Bridge City Orange

Common Ground Community Church Bridge City Orange

Crestwood Baptist Church Kountze Hardin Cristo Ray Beaumont Jefferson

Diocese of Beaumont Hispanic Ministry Beaumont Jefferson

Fellowship Baptist Church Bridge City Orange First Baptist Church Lumberton Lumberton Hardin

First Baptist Church Nome Nome Jefferson

First Presbyterian Church Orange Orange Orange First United Methodist Church Kountze Hardin

Hillcrest Baptist Church Nederland Jefferson

Junior League of Beaumont Beaumont Jefferson

Knights of Columbus Port Neches Jefferson Macabe Roberts Ave United Methodist Church Beaumont Jefferson

Nederland Ave Church of Christ Nederland Jefferson

One Way Outreach Port Arthur Jefferson Silsbee Kiwanis International Silsbee Hardin