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Extend Migrant Camp Residence for Farmworker Families with School-Age Children
Migrant farmworkers who reside in California’s subsidized migrant camps can remain in the camps only from May 1st of a given year to the end of November. Their children’s education is seriously interrupted, since they arrive at the camps at the end of the school year in May and are required to vacate their apartments two months into the following school year in November.

The CFWF is working with Richard Hobbs, a San José immigration attorney to change the state law requirement so that migrant farmworkers have the option of remaining in the camps for the duration of the school year. Their children will then have a greater opportunity for academic success. Richard Hobbs has written new legislation entitled “The Migrant Farmworker Children Educational Protection Act of 2010.” Assemblyman Paul Fong of San José will carry the legislation forward in the 2010 California legislative cycle.

An Army of Tutors for School-Age Children in Watsonville
As a result of what they have learned on the Farmworker Reality Tours, literally a small dedicated army of De Anza College students make weekly visits to farmworker families with school-age children. The students learn about the lives of farmworkers while assisting the children with improving English skills and tutoring and assisting with homework assignments.

Workshops on Preparation for College Work and Application to College
During the rainy winter season, when farm fields are virtually dormant, De Anza students host a workshop that is attended by parents and their children who are interested in the possibility of a college education. Presenters discuss preparation for college work in high school, choosing a college, the college application-for-admission process, and how to acquire financial support from scholarships, loans and on-campus work.

Farmworker Family Christmas

Each year the CFWF is notified of families in Watsonville and Salinas that are too poor to enjoy a Christmas celebration and provide gifts for their children. Dr. López’ father, David López, dons his Santa costume each year and let’s these families and children know that they are not forgotten, that Santa loves all children.

This year has been especially difficult for farmworkers living year-round on the Central Coast. The downturn in the economy and rising cost of living have pushed them further into poverty. These days they are even less able to provide for their children. Please support us in carrying on a family tradition by providing funds for the purchase of gifts and coats for the farmworker parents and their children so that we can continue to bring joy and excitement to families that deserve so much and have so little.

Click here to read about and view photos from Farmworker Family Christmas 2009.

Computers and Printers for Buena Vista Migrant Camp Families

The one desire that all farmworker families ardently express is that they want their children educated so that they become eligible for a career and won’t have to work in the fields. However, because of impoverished salaries, most cannot afford to purchase computers and printers for the household. Click here to read more and view photos.

Generous donors have provided the funds for the purchase of four office quality computers, printers, speakers, keyboards, and other accessories. The computers are checked out to four families with older children and adults who are continuing their education. The CFWF intends to acquire future funding to continue to purchase computers for migrant farmworker families living in the Buena Vista migrant camp in Watsonville.

Farmworker Reality Tours

One of the goals of the Center for Farmworker Families is to effectively bridge the communication gap between the farmworker community and those of us who enjoy the fruits of their hard labor.

Farmworker housing is typically located in remote areas far from cities and towns, thereby rendering farmworkers invisible to the general public. Farmworker Reality Tours correct this disconnect by allowing participants to meet, dialogue with, and hear the testimonials of farmworkers.

The tours challenge participants to better understand the conditions of Mexican farmworkers in Northern California by sharing in their lives, food, and living quarters. In 2009, requests for Farmworker Reality Tours increased significantly from a variety of organizations. The San José Human Agenda organization has always sponsored a yearly FW Reality Tour. In 2009, De Anza College immigration class instructors, Marc Coronado and Karen Chow, brought several classes of students to the fields to learn about the lives of farmworkers.

Click here to view more pictures from our California project.

For more information about the Reality Tours project, please click here.