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The people have a plan for a better San Bernardino

“There are jobs in San Bernardino right now, but that doesn’t mean they’re good jobs,” said Raymond Blevins of his experience working in San Bernardino’s warehouse industry. “A good job is one that doesn’t pressure you, so you don’t hurt yourself, and one that pays well.”

Blevins is one of nearly 5,000 San Bernardino residents involved in the development of the “The People’s Plan for Economic Inclusion,” a community-driven effort to tackle economic and social challenges that will serve as “a roadmap for economic policies and projects to develop local, grassroots-based solutions focused on job creation that is sustainable and community-owned.”

The recently released plan is a project of Just San Bernardino, a coalition of nine community-based organizations, and a grantee of Irvine’s Priority Communities initiative, which supports community efforts to create an economy where all residents can thrive.

Although San Bernardino’s diverse community members are its greatest assets and represent California’s future, residents lack the same access to resources as our state’s coastal cities. That’s exactly what The People’s Plan aims to address. Different from traditional economic planning efforts, the People’s Plan relies on resident engagement and innovative strategies that put people first. The Plan offers a roadmap to change the course of economic opportunity in San Bernardino and the greater Inland Empire to ensure that working families can advance economically. Just SB also created the People’s Dictionary to make the technical language of economic planning more accessible to residents.

The People’s Plan, which offers clever strategies, beautiful visuals, and accessible language, is a strong example of inclusive economic planning that fosters meaningful community participation and could serve as a model for other California communities grappling with similar issues.

Raymond Blevins contributed to the plan through community organizing efforts with Warehouse Workers Resource Center, a Just SB coalition partner and grantee of Irvine’s Fair Work initiative. I’m eager to share his perspectives, which speak to both the challenges facing residents but also exemplify the drive and dedication of community members who are working to create a better future for the people of San Bernardino.

Excerpted from The People’s Plan for Economic Inclusion

Originally from New York, Raymond Blevins moved to San Bernardino 10 years ago to help support his family. As a chef, he worked at various restaurants in the area but found it difficult to keep a job when he became ill with congestive heart failure.

Unable to work, Blevins lost his apartment and became houseless. Blevins was eventually referred to the Department of Rehabilitation in San Bernardino County where they helped him get back into the workforce, find housing and get the support he needed.

Raymond Blevins is a San Bernardino resident and community leader working to ensure that residents have access to secure jobs that offer advancement opportunities. 

Photo by Fabian Torres (@wiskrshoots).
Raymond Blevins is a San Bernardino resident and community leader working to ensure that residents have access to secure jobs that offer advancement opportunities. Photo by Fabian Torres (@wiskrshoots).

“They offered me free housing, help with resume building, work clothes and other supplies I might’ve needed on the job and even bus passes so I could get to work,” he said. “I was really grateful!”

His health affected his ability to keep up with the demand of the restaurant industry and so he began working at multiple warehouses, like Amazon. Blevins worked at an Amazon facility in San Bernardino, which required heavy lifting, long periods of time on his feet, and unrealistic quotas.

“There are jobs in San Bernardino right now, but that doesn’t mean they’re good jobs,” Blevins said as he described his experience in the warehouses.  “A good job is one that doesn’t pressure you, so you don’t hurt yourself, and one that pays well.”

At Amazon, Blevins often skipped lunch to keep up with the workload and said he felt guilty taking his full breaks. He was also promised overtime or holiday pay that he didn’t receive.

“Warehouse workers need to make more,” Blevins said. “These facilities should compensate their staff with a livable wage, basic medical insurance coverage, and other incentives like childcare.”

Blevins now uses his experiences from the workforce in San Bernardino as a community leader to advocate for a Community Benefits Agreement. He also wishes to support the houseless community in the city who are often turned down for jobs sometimes just because they don’t have a physical home address. “Rents are high out here, but folks are willing to work,” Blevins said.

In his efforts with Just SB, Blevins hopes to organize residents, so they gain respect and are included in plans for future developments at the airport in San Bernardino. Blevins wants to ensure that the community has access to long-lasting jobs that offer training and opportunities for advancement.

*The masthead used for this blog is by Marc Mutan. See the full illustration in the People’s Dictionary.