Monthly Newsletter - July 2024
Cultivating Leaders: Indigenous Workers Rising as Organizers
CBDIO’s Monterey and Central Valley staff have started on a year-long journey with the Rural Organizers Academy at the University of Merced. This invaluable program has equipped CBDIO staff with practical and dynamic training, focusing on engaging in impactful one-on-one conversations with workers, motivating them to take action, and empowering them to lead campaigns. During the academy, the CBDIO team explored a range of critical topics, including conducting effective home visits, organizing and uniting workers to advocate for their rights, and fostering safe spaces for open dialogue. We practiced active listening techniques and developed strategies to inspire workers, transforming fear into courage, despair into hope, uncertainty into clarity, and division into unity. Furthermore, the team engaged in discussions on identifying and nurturing committed leaders who are prepared to drive meaningful changes within their communities.
Indigenous Farmworkers Committee Holds Press Conference to Inform Workers of Their Rights Amidst Extreme Heat
Fresno, CA - On July 12th the Indigenous Farmworkers Committee called for a press conference to raise awareness among farmworkers about their labor rights, regardless of immigration status. Recognizing the critical role they play in the state's agricultural industry, the Indigenous Farmworkers Committee wants to ensure that other farmworkers understand they have protections while working under extreme temperatures. They aim to empower all farmworkers to stand up for their rights, emphasizing that no one should fear reporting violations or seeking better treatment due to their immigration status. “We want to be heard worker to worker, so our fellow workers know that we have rights.”(Mariano Carranza, a member of the Farmworkers Committee.)
“We want those responsible for enforcing the law and ensuring compliance to take this very seriously to protect our health and our lives. We want our fellow farmworkers to know that the work we do is very important, that we are the ones who know how to harvest and care for nature, and we are the ones who work to bring food to the tables of all humanity. Therefore, we deserve for our work to be valued, recognized, and for us to be seen as knowledgeable human beings.” (Francisco Arriaga, a member of the Farmworkers Committee.)
*The Indigenous Farmworkers Committee stems from the Labor Justice Program of the Binational Center for the Development of Oaxacan Indigenous Communities (CBDIO) in Fresno and Madera Counties. They meet monthly to educate themselves about their rights as farmworkers and to organize to take action on issues that affect them and improve their workplaces. The vision of CBDIO is “to achieve the well-being, equity, and self-determination of indigenous communities.
Facilitating farmworker hearings in Indigenous languages with EDD
Salinas, CA - The CBDIO Salinas office has a great collaboration with Ivett Perez, a representative of the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the state government agency that administers Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Paid Family Leave programs. With interpretation support from CBDIO’s Derechos Laborales team, Ivett has provided individualized case services to Indigenous farmworkers at CBDIO’s Salinas office, helping to resolve cases and guide individuals through the EDD system. Language barriers and a complex process to resolve wage claims (and other labor rights issues) have made it difficult for the community to navigate labor rights laws and learn about their rights and protections.
Cultural Workshops Unite Indigenous Mothers
Greenfield, CA - With strong community support, our Greenfield office resumed their weaving cultural workshops this summer. The purpose of the weaving workshops is for Indigenous mothers to have the space and time to engage in cultural activities, connect with the CBDIO team, and convivir (“bond together”) with other mothers in the community. These cultural workshops provide a safe, welcoming, and joyful space for the Indigenous mothers, many of whom have commented that these events and activities remind them of their time at home in Oaxaca. The mothers have expressed that having these workshops is very therapeutic because they can take time for themselves, focus on weaving and reminiscing about memories of their villages. Other family members have also attended the workshops, including fathers and children. These family activities benefit the families as a whole since they all get to spend time together. In the last session we made handmade bags, and in future workshops we will have other activities, such as making woven hairpieces. These workshops will be held until we start our Maternal Mental Health Talks in October.
Strengthening Inclusion and Communication in Greenfield High School
Greenfield, CA - On July 25, a meeting was held at Greenfield High School, where 20 Indigenous parents and 3 students came together to discuss issues related to inclusion and education in our community, and ways to build strong relationships between students and teachers. The active participation of parents and students allowed us to better understand the areas that need support at the High School to ensure a more inclusive and equitable educational environment. Thanks to the invitation of Griselda Delgado, Assistant Superintendent, the Salinas and Greenfield teams were then able to share parent perspectives with the district’s educators on August 1, 2024. The presentation focused on the diversity of backgrounds in the Indigenous community, the need for more inclusive classrooms, and strategies to improve communication with families and students.
CBDIO appreciates the collaboration of the South Monterey County Joint Union High School District and its interest in building its relationship with Indigenous families and students. We also want to thank all of the parents and students who participated in the meeting and shared their experiences as their voice is critical to improving the quality of education in their communities.
Successful Mixteco After School Program - Summer Workshops and Planning for the Next School Year
Salinas, CA - CBDIO’s Mixteco After School Program instructors successfully completed their first year of Summer Workshops at Santa Rita Elementary School's summer academy. The workshops focused on developing students’ skills in drawing, painting, embroidery and dance. It was also a space for cultural enrichment–the program highlighted the multicultural nature of the world and of our community. During the program, the students were actively engaged and many expressed wanting more opportunities to learn and speak the Mixteco language. Many realized that being trilingual is a great skill and asset. At the end of July, the CBDIO team assisted parents in registering students for the school year and after school program using the district’s online platforms, which are difficult for many of the families to navigate on their own. While learning the platform was also a challenge for the team, it was an opportunity that inspired them to continue finding solutions and better ways to support parents so that in the future the parents can access their students’ school systems more easily.
Statewide Reach
Updates
Immigration
USCIS Keeping Families Together Program
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now accepting online applications for the Keeping Families Together program, which was announced on June 18, 2024.
Application Fee:
USCIS is charging $580 to process the application.
Prepare Documents:
Community members should gather the necessary documents to apply. However, it is crucial to receive a comprehensive screening by an authorized legal provider before filing.
Beware of Notary Fraud!
Notaries and tax preparers are not legal providers. They have no authority to assist with immigration benefits.
Bad help can hurt!
We strongly advise the community to seek assistance from a competent DOJ Accredited Representative or a qualified Immigration Attorney.
Be cautious of anyone charging more than $580 for the filing fee. Always seek advice from reputable organizations, a qualified DOJ Accredited Representative or an immigration attorney to ensure you are receiving proper guidance.
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