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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!

Inside AFOP

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!

2025 AFOP Leadership Conference to be Held in Alexandria, VA

November 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.


CET to Hold Holiday Dinner Celebrating Co-Founder and CEO Hermelinda Sapien

CET

November 22, 2024

AFOP Member Rocky Mountain SER Wins New USDA Grant

USDA

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!


Community Council of Idaho Recognizes Dedicated Employees in its Annual Longevity Award Ceremony

CC 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.  

Telamon Reports Damage to Head Start Centers, Deaths in Tennessee and Georgia

AFOP

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

Inside USDOL

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 Honor

USDOL

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 1

Employment & 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’ Rights

USDOL

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

DACA Renewals and $555 Grants with Juntos Community

Juntos 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


  • December 14 @ 3pm ET, 2pm CT, 1pm MT, 12pm PT

  • January 15 @  8pm ET, 7pm CT, 6pm MT, 5pm PT    


Register here for one-on-one renewal support on Fridays and Saturdays:  bit.ly/1on1Clinics

HILL HAPPENINGS

What to Expect from a New Congress

Congressional 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:



Republicans to Use Rare Budget Process to Bypass Filibuster and Pass Tax and Spending Cuts Package

Center 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.

What We’re Reading

This Florida Farmworker Is 75 and Still Toiling in the Heat

New 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.