Current Projects
Monthly Distributions
Our Monthly Distributions provide food, household items, clothing, and other essential products and services to address the immediate needs of farmworker families facing food insecurity, clothing shortages, and other critical support requirements.Farmworker Reality Tours
Farmworker Reality Tours offer a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between the farmworker community and those who enjoy the fruits of their hard labor. On this immersive tour, you'll have the chance to meet and engage in meaningful conversations with farmworkers, listen to their powerful testimonials, and experience their daily lives firsthand.Oaxacan Community Shed
The Oaxacan Community Shed improves family life by providing clothing, essential household goods, and food items. It also serves as a central hub for sharing information, local service updates, and activities that benefit both families and the wider community.Rental Assistance Program
The primary goal of the rental assistance program is to alleviate housing instability and prevent homelessness among unemployed and underemployed farmworker families by offering financial assistance with rental payments.Bridging the Digital Divide
Our computer literacy program for farmworkers aims to provide essential digital skills. The goal is to empower farmworkers with the knowledge and tools to access online resources and enhance their overall quality of life. Each participant will take a computer home with them.Farmworkers’ Rights
We work to advance farmworkers' rights by advocating for and supporting legislative and regulatory changes (such as AB 2240 below).Removing the 50-Mile Regulation - California AB 2240 - 2024 Signed by Gov. Newsom
Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) introduced AB 2240, a farmworker housing bill, to ensure that farmworkers and their families are not forced to leave housing centers because of outdated requirements that disrupt their lives and children’s education. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) is the principal co-author.Holiday Gift Giving Drive
Our gift giving drive brings joy to the children of farmworker families during the holiday season. This community-driven effort collects new, unwrapped gifts such as toys, books, sports balls, clothing, and gift cards to ensure that every child experiences the magic of the holidays.Campaign for Organic & Regenerative Agriculture (CORA)
CORA is dedicated to achieving an environmentally and socially just agricultural system. CORA envisions a future in which the entire Pajaro Valley region will be farmed organically. In the immediate future, we want the fields near our homes and schools to be converted to organic in order to protect the health of our children and community. CORA recently released an infographic map of fields using toxic pesticides around Watsonville area schools and neighborhoods. The multi-page infographic map also has breakout maps of fields around 13 specific Pajaro Valley schools and highlights some of the most dangerous pesticides that cause cancer and severe health problems.
In the News
Lookout Santa Cruz (Nov 7, 2024): After Trump win, leaders say they’ll protect Santa Cruz County’s immigrants
Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development (Oct 17, 2024): Pesticide Use and Civil Rights in Central California: Slow Violence and the State
The Mercury News (Aug 27, 2024): ‘Brutal’ trade-offs keep some South Bay farmworkers laboring in dangerous heat
Lookout Santa Cruz (July 30, 2024): It’s time for Driscoll’s to take responsibility for farmworker health and well-being in Watsonville and Pajaro
Lookout Santa Cruz (Sept 5, 2023): California is its own sort of slave state — we need to enact farmworker rights now
GoodTimes (June 21, 2022): How the Push for Farmworker Housing is Hindered by Persistent Myths
East Bay Times (Aug 24, 2019): In Santa Cruz, a clandestine food bank draws hundreds of farmworkers