A report from the 1988 Aspen Institute Conference reports that Hispanic youth are more likely to work at full-time jobs and are slightly more likely to work year-round than either Blacks or Whites, regardless of gender or age. But although jobs are available and Hispanics want to work, fundamental changes in the nature of the economy, low wage scales for unskilled labor, and low educational achievement are keeping the American dream out of Hispanic reach. Public/private strategies that address the specific problems of the following age groups are examined: (1) 0 to 6; (2) 7 to 13; (3) 14 to 18; and (4) 19 to 24. In order to break the cycle of poverty the following recommendations should be implemented: (1) build on Hispanic strength in local neighborhoods; (2) support Hispanic institutions dedicated to the overall development of Hispanic communities; (3) develop flexible strategies to prepare young Hispanic men and women for the new work place; (4) provide the crucial support young Hispanics need to enter or reenter education and training programs or to work; (5) promote fundamental restructuring of schooling and the use of schools to make them more responsive to the year-round learning and caring that poor youth and their families require; and (6) encourage mainstream and Hispanic media to play an active role in disseminating information and reinforcing the goals described in this report. Tables and figures illustrate the data. A list of references is included. Conference participants are listed. (BJV)