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 | | |  | From the Desk of the Executive DirectorDaniel Sheehan, AFOP Executive Director November 25, 2024
It’s lightening round!
Welcome to the six new NFJP grantees and AFOP members! The new grantees are San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties in California, Southeastern Non-Profit Housing, Inc. in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina, the State of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and Northeastern Technical College in South Carolina. I know I speak for the entire AFOP community when I say we very much look forward to working with you in the weeks ahead.
Congress is moving forward with legislation to renew and amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the law that among many other things authorizes the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). Happily, the legislation would preserve NFJP as a national program and grant DOL the authority to begin working on NFJP grant awards beginning April 1, as opposed to July 1. AFOP suggested this change and has seen it included in the yearly appropriations bills since that time. This WIOA provision would change the underlying law.
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| Lawmakers also must do something to renew the spending patch keeping the federal government open. The current law expires on December 20. Some want to see Congress complete action on the pending fiscal year 2025 spending bills before year’s end to clear the way for the president-elect’s new initiatives, while others want to extend the patch to March to give the incoming administration time to put its stamp on spending. While the president-elect has not yet signaled a preference, the House leadership is pushing the latter path.
The expiring Congress officially dissolves on January 3, 2025, when the new 119th Congress formally sits. The presidential inauguration follows shortly thereafter on January 20. At that point, the Republican party will control the White House, all the federal departments, and both the House and Senate in Congress. They will then have a free hand to set the agenda and pursue policy changes. In most instances, the Senate will need 60 votes to pass legislation, so compromises with the Democratic minority will likely be necessary.
Believe it or not, the AFOP winter board meeting and leadership conference is just around the corner. Go to AFOP.org to register for the conference and reserve your hotel rooms. Early room reservations allow AFOP to negotiate better concessions for meeting attendees, so please do lock in the rooms for you and your senior staff today.
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| Have a happy Thanksgiving, a merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year! Enjoy our members’ notes of gratitude, compiled by AFOP Director of Workforce Development Kendra Moesle, and remember how very grateful AFOP is for YOU! |
| | | |  | What are You Thankful For?November 26, 2024
With Thanksgiving in just a few short days, AFOP posed this timely question to our members: what are you thankful for? Here is what they said…
I am thankful for life, to be able to assist our farmworkers that make clothing and food possible by working in the cotton, vegetable, and fruit fields. I’m thankful for my family that can enjoy a meal, all thanks to our hard-working farmworkers. God bless them all. ~ Rachel Salazar, MET
I am thankful for having the pleasure to work where I can serve others. This was always one of my dreams, and it came true! ~ Lorena Sotelo, California Human Development
Motivation Education and Training, Inc., would like to express heartfelt thanks for the trust that was placed in our agency as one of the recipients of NFJP funding. ~ Cherri Ann Brignac, MET
I am deeply grateful for the privilege of supporting an incredible team, whose unwavering dedication uplifts our migrant and seasonal farmworkers across Kansas. ~Joel Leiva, Kansas SER Corp
I'm thankful I have a job that has meaning and that I get to be a part of changing peoples' lives. ~Michelle Engel-Silva, Proteus, Inc.
I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to serve others each day. I am also profoundly THANKFUL for the farmworkers who work tirelessly to put food on our tables. ~Mileidy Soto, PathStone Puerto Rico
I’m thankful for my family, coworkers that make me laugh, and my health. I am also grateful for those performing the jobs many of us can choose not to. ~Vashti Kelly, AFOP
I am thankful for family & friends, life, health, and strength. I am also thankful for the people that we serve and the difference made in their lives. ~Felicia Hepburn, PathStone
I am thankful to farmworkers, my heroes, who feed America and our neighbors beyond. ~Thomas Stuebner, CHD
I am thankful for the people in my life who care about me. I am thankful that I will get to live today and look forward to tomorrow. ~Marisa Maldonado, MET
I'm thankful for life, health, a sound mind, and my family. ~Pear Byers, ARHDC
I am thankful and honored to serve those who make possible for all of us to have a plate of food on our tables: the Farmworkers. ~Delia Cardenas, CHD
Thank you to all the dedicated farmworkers whose hard work and commitment bring fresh, nourishing food to our tables. Your tireless efforts are truly appreciated and make a significant difference in all our lives. ~Josh Sankowski, PathStone
Grateful for all my blessings! Everyday is a blessing but definitely blessed with my job that allows me to help farmworker families in many ways and also the opportunity to have an amazing job that provides sustainable income to provide for my family. ~Renae Barela, Rocky Mountain SER
From AFOP: Thank you to all farmworkers, whose hands expertly tend and pick the food that nourishes our bodies. Thanks also to all of YOU, our members, for creating such a vibrant community of passionate service providers who, in everything you do, always keep the FARMWORKER first. Have a very happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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|  | |  | Memories made at AFOP NC24Some highlights from Vegas: A clumsy-waiter-turned-plenary-speaker; exciting salsa lessons from PathStone Puerto Rico; pictures with Cesar Chavez; celebrating incredible people at the AFOP Excellence Awards; and many amazing presentations from top-notch speakers! Thank you all for coming and making it so memorable! |
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|  | 2025 AFOP Leadership Conference to be Held in Alexandria, VANovember 21, 2024 |
| AFOP is once more holding its wintertime Leadership Conference in Old Town Alexandria in the new year, from January 28-29, 2025. Formerly a fledgling colonial town, Alexandria is now a haven for the arts and a popular spot with the locals for fine dining and shopping along its cute, cobblestone streets. It’s also convenient, close to Reagan National Airport as well as a short metro ride to all the sights in nearby Washington, DC.
Come for the colonial vibes, stay for the training and collaboration with your AFOP peers! On Day One, AFOP’s Board of Directors will conduct business from 1:00-5:00 p.m. while senior staff participate in a concurrent leadership training led by Life Coach Glorymar Morales, back by popular demand following her debut at the National Conference in Las Vegas.
On Day Two, U.S. Department of Labor National Office staff as well as guest speakers from partner agencies will provide the latest updates and training for National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) grants. They will also discuss what could be around the bend for farmworkers and for NFJP in the coming years – something we are all bound to be curious about by January 29, just nine days after the inauguration.
Don’t miss out! Book your hotel and register today.
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| |  | AFOP to Host its First Podcast November 22, 2024 |
| Exciting developments are happening at AFOP: starting in 2025, we will be getting our very own podcast!! Workforce Development Director Kendra Moesle will partner with Workforce180 to host, produce, and publish a monthly podcast that is all about AFOP members, job training for farmworkers, and the incredible things this community and its participants accomplish every day.
If you are tired of all your best success stories not getting the limelight they deserve, send us an email! AFOP would love to interview you on the air, so the whole world can learn about these amazing opportunities that are available for farmworkers and their families.
Want just a taste? In early November, Workforce180 President and Co-founder Mike Fazio interviewed Kendra Moesle for his 180Podcast. Take a listen! |
|  | This could be you! Email Kendra Moesle at kmoesle@afop.org if you have an idea for a podcast topic or someone special in mind you think AFOP should interview! |
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| AFOP Joins Call for Federal Disaster Relief Grants for Farmworker-Serving EntitiesOctober 30, 2024 |
| Hurricanes Helene and Milton are expected to have caused over $50 billion in damage, two of the costliest hurricanes in United States history. They devastated communities that are struggling to meet basic everyday needs like food, water, housing, and diapers and baby formula for families. This includes farmworkers who labor to put food on family tables every day. Entire crops in Georgia, like peaches, pecans, and green vegetables, have been destroyed, largely ruining the harvest and putting farmworkers out of work for the next six to 12 months. This reality is exacerbated by a lack of language skills and accessible, trusted information that farmworkers can use to find assistance.
Unfortunately, federal natural disaster funding most often only goes to agricultural employers and does not reach farmworkers. In joining with other farmworker-service allies, AFOP has asked Congress and the Biden administration to address this shortcoming in the coming disaster-relief package by including grants to charitable organizations that serve farmworkers. Indeed, in mobilizing to address the economic damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration and Congress made sure that its efforts included relief for farmworkers, grocery store, and meatpacking workers through charitable organizations. During a citrus freeze in 2008, the federal government responded to the subsequent economic damage by creating grants to charitable organizations to offer affected farmworkers emergency services. |
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| | | CET to Hold Holiday Dinner Celebrating Co-Founder and CEO Hermelinda SapienCET November 22, 2024 |
| | The Center of Employment Training (CET) will be holding a holiday party on December 14 to celebrate the spirit of the season and honor a remarkable leader: co-founder and CEO Hermelinda Sapien.
Hermelinda retired in March after 57 years of dedicated service, leaving a legacy of leadership, advocacy, social justice, and unwavering support for farmworkers and workforce development. Hermelinda also served for decades on AFOP’s Board of Directors and was integral to AFOP’s strategic leadership team. She is also a member of the AFOP Farmworker Advocate Hall of Fame.
Through her visionary leadership, CET touched countless lives and communities, empowering individuals to achieve economic independence and a brighter future.
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| | |  | AFOP Member Rocky Mountain SER Wins New USDA GrantUSDA November 1, 2024 |
| Colorado AFOP member, Rocky Mountain SER, won a new grant with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) called the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Planning Grant Program (HFFI). HFFI is designed to support new and expanded markets for a diversity of growers while helping people across the nation access affordable, healthy foods.
Rocky Mountain SER’s project is to develop a Food Market within a 100-unit affordable housing complex in Pueblo, CO. This Food Market will enhance access to healthy foods in an underserved area, support local food systems, and create economic opportunities for residents. This initiative aligns with RMSER’s mission to empower underserved communities through sustainable, community-driven projects.
Congratulations, Rocky Mountain SER, and good luck with the new project!
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| | |  | Community Council of Idaho Recognizes Dedicated Employees in its Annual Longevity Award CeremonyCC of Idaho October 18, 2024 |
| Each year, the Community Council of Idaho honors and celebrates its team members who have committed years of their lives to helping CC of Idaho help its communities. This year, CC of Idaho held daylong celebrations in each of its service regions (East, Central and West) and invited all its team members from each program area to attend. The organization openly and earnestly celebrated these award recipients and the entire community of employees. The real joy of the event was when co-workers cheered and whistled, lining up to give them bouquets of flowers and special individual gifts and hugs.
At each of these events, there are multi-generational award recipients, mothers and daughters, sibling pairs, and cousins. One of the reasons CC of Idaho has such longevity is because its team members “get” what we do. They believe in CC of Idaho’s mission and services. They believe in the future of the community. |
| |  | Photos of Hurricane Helene’s impact in Georgia and Tennessee, courtesy of Telamon. Clockwise starting in the top left-hand corner: Bridge collapse on Interstate 26 in Unicoi, TN; damaged entrance at the Douglas, GA, Head Start Center; Donated food & supplies at donation & distribution center in Carter County, TN; Flooding in Unicoi County; the inundated Unicoi County Hospital, where 50+ patients and staff had to be evacuated to the roof and rescued by helicopter. |
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| Telamon Reports Damage to Head Start Centers, Deaths in Tennessee and GeorgiaAFOP October 6, 2024 |
| Hurricane Helene had a devastating impact on farmworkers in the southeast, particularly in the states of Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. AFOP member Telamon Corporation provides Head Start services to low-income farmworker families in Tennessee and Georgia. In a report to the National Head Start Association, Telamon reported that all but two centers in those states were closed due to impassable roads, loss of power or running water, or both.
Fortunately, none of the centers sustained significant structural damage, and all Telamon staff were safe. However, many Head Start families were not so fortunate. Not only were farmworkers suddenly out of a job with the hurricane wiping out most crops, but many experienced near or total loss of property as flooding swept over and into their homes. Several staff members lost their homes and had to relocate or host others whose homes were lost. Eleven families paid the ultimate price, losing loved ones in Erwin, Tennessee, according to this excerpt from Telamon’s report:
Raging flood waters swept away 11 workers at a plastics factory in Erwin, TN. Four of the 11 were former Telamon program participants whose current school age children attended our Early Head Start (EHS) and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) program. The victims’ families have set up GoFundMe and online fundraisers for funeral costs, including transporting their loved ones’ body back to Mexico for burial. Current Telamon employees are related to these families.
Rose was one of our migrant children served through 2022. She had a big personality and was not afraid to tell her classmates to keep in line if she didn’t like that they were doing. Her mother passed away this week in the flood.
Arianny was enrolled in the program up through 2023. She has a heart-breaking story where her mother died in childbirth and never got to see Arianny after she was born. Lydia, her grandmother, passed away in the flood.
Felix attended Telamon MSHS for three years, and staff describe his mother, Monica, as “the sweetest parent.” Felix was always a little timid and so kind. Monica’s family shared that her last wish was to be buried in Mexico beside her late daughter.
Despite their heartache, Telamon employees leaped immediately into action: setting up Amazon wish lists for displaced families; using the working kitchen facilities to prepare hot meals for families and emergency workers; conducting home visits with enrolled families, assessing individual needs and delivering diapers, wipes, and infant formula; providing interpretation services throughout the community “since few relief workers can communicate in Spanish to families/residents in need”. In one local news story, Telamon staff can be seen interpreting for one flood victim’s family member.
Nearly two months later, most roads have opened back up and power has been restored to Telamon Head Start centers. However, hurricane clean-up efforts and relief continue in the hardest-hit areas, with farmworkers looking for work and families continuing to grieve.
Read these other farmworker news stories out of Tennessee:
'We have to complete the contract' | Migrant workers face uncertainty after storms sweep away East Tennessee farms – NBC News
'I’m so grateful to these people.' Latino workers in storm-hit Tennessee feel isolated but hopeful - NPR |
|  | In loving memoryFrom L-R: Lydia, Rosa Maria, and Monica lost their lives in Hurricane Helene. |
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| | | |  | USDOL Acting Secretary Julie Su poses for a photo with family members of Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, and Peter Velasco, recent Hall of Honor Inductees. |
| Acting Secretary Julie Su Inducts Filipino Farmworker Labor Leaders into USDOL Hall of HonorUSDOL November 20, 2024 |
| The U.S. Department of Labor has inducted three farmworker labor rights leaders into the USDOL Hall of Honor: Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, and Peter Velasco. These three ground-breaking leaders inspired farmworkers to organize and stand up against powerful grape industry growers, which led to the historical Delano Grape Strike. Later they helped create the United Farm Workers union and fought for greater protections, fairer wages, and humane treatment for farmworkers.
Said Acting Secretary Julie Su, “I'm honored to induct Larry Dulay Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, and Peter Gines Velasco into the Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor where they take their rightful place among giants in the labor movement leaders who have shaped the fabric of American history." |
| | |  | USDOL Announces Implementation of H-2A Final Rule in Training and Employment Notice (TEN) 27-23, Change 1Employment & Training Reporter October 14, 2024 |
| Following legal challenges brought against new H-2A regulations in 17 states, the U.S. Department of Labor announced implementation of the Final Rule on October 2, 2024, in compliance with a district court order. The linked memo explains court-imposed limitations of recent worker protection regulations for the H-2A agricultural worker visa program. The Employment and Training Administration finalized these rules in April. The regulations include procedures for states to follow to discontinue services to employers, farm-labor contractors, and other parties in cases of program violations or violations of employment laws.
Based on a legal challenge to the regulations by a coalition of 17 states and program users, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking implementation of the policy in those states. For these states, H-2A policies generally shift back to those that were in place before the end of June. In the other 34 states and territories, the new regulations remain in effect. |
| | |  | USDOL Issues New Graphic Novel Illustrating Agricultural Workers’ RightsUSDOL September 19, 2024 |
| Migrantworker.gov recently published a new resource to help agricultural workers and the public more fully understand farmworkers’ rights on the job: a comic strip. This short graphic novel illustrates some of the abuses farmworkers face, such as substandard housing, withheld paychecks, locked bathrooms, and unlawful recruitment fees. |
| | | | |  | DACA Renewals and $555 Grants with Juntos CommunityJuntos Community October 24, 2024 |
| Juntos Community recently launched Virtual DACA Clinics available for DACA recipients nationwide. For those that are income eligible, Juntos Community offers a $555 grant to cover the USCIS fee.
Register here for their upcoming virtual clinics: bit.ly/DACA-VIRTUAL
Register here for one-on-one renewal support on Fridays and Saturdays: bit.ly/1on1Clinics |
| | | | | |  | What to Expect from a New CongressCongressional Progressive Caucus Center By Catherine Rowland and Mariam Malik November 12, 2024 |
| A new Congress brings more than new members: it can shepherd in numerous changes to the House and Senate’s operations. This explainer breaks down some of the key changes that can come with a new Congress, including the following questions:
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| | |  | Republicans to Use Rare Budget Process to Bypass Filibuster and Pass Tax and Spending Cuts PackageCenter for American Progress November 20, 2024 |
| The Center for American Progress (CAP) has published a helpful report that explains a budget-consideration process — known as “reconciliation“ — and how Republicans will use it to get around Democratic objections to pass a massive package that is expected to: (1) extend the president-elect’s signature 2017 tax act; and (2) cut deeply both federal non-defense discretionary spending (programs like NFJP) and mandatory accounts (such as Social Security, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program). This CAP publication will help you understand the budget news coming out of Washington, D.C. in the weeks ahead. |
| | | | |  | This Florida Farmworker Is 75 and Still Toiling in the HeatNew York Times October 26, 2024 |
| After two heat strokes and damaged kidneys, José Delgado remains stunned that Florida banned counties from enacting protections for outdoor workers. |
| | |  | When a Florida Farmer-Legislator Turned Against Immigration, the Consequences Were Severe. But Not for Him.ProPublica October 29, 2024 |
| For a lawmaker’s political career and his farm, the H-2A visa program was a lifeline. For a young father trying to meet his son’s mounting medical needs, that same lifeline failed him. |
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