The National Youth Administration (NYA) was established in 1935 as one of FDR’s many alphabet agencies created to alleviate the sting of the Great Depression; it was tasked with providing work and education for young Americans between the ages of 16 through 25. By the time World War II kicked -in, many in Congress felt it was time to do away with the organization, but as this article spells out, NYA members could now be put to work in the defense plants:
“About 75,000 young men and women are being trained for war work in 4000 NYA workshops throughout the country, many states have labor surpluses. The NYA decided to shift some of these trainees to labor-hungry states like Connecticut… Before a volunteer is accepted for work in Connecticut by the NYA, he must meet certain specifications. He must be between 18 and 20, at least 5 feet 6 inches tall and not under 130 pounds. He must have his parent’s consent and have been examined in his home by an NYA
physicians.”
Click here to read about the travails of young adults during the Great Depression.
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