Recent Events
Here's a closer look at our education and advocacy activities during the past three months.
Supervisors Authorize $1 million for Farm Worker Housing
As a follow-up to our
HFW!
Summit event in March of 2015, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a one-time $1 million budget allocation to farm worker housing. On February 23, 2016, the BOS approved funding to go to three projects. The first is a project in Oxnard, developed by Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation. The other two projects are in Ventura and will be developed by the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura.
The funding from the Board of Supervisors is an opportunity for these projects to be more competitive as they apply for and
leverage
other funding. Collectively, the three projects will provide 106 new farm worker housing units.
"If we want our farm worker housing applications to be as competitive as possible [...] it is just essential that we play a role and step up and be a part of this kind of funding." --Supervisor Steve Bennett at the meeting
House Farm Workers! is appreciative of the Board of Supervisors' commitment to making sure our farm workers have a safe and decent place to call home. Below, HFW! board member and Senior Developer at the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura, Karen Flock, speaks to the Board of Supervisors.
HFW!
Young Advocates Committee has Launched!
The Young Advocates had their first official meeting in January. Through social gatherings, storytelling and community engagement, the Young Advocates Committee encourages young people to become advocates for farm worker housing. If you are a young person who wants to get involved and make a difference in the lives of farm worker families, join us! The Young Advocates meet monthly. Contact our program coordinator for meeting dates and times at housefarmworkers@verizon.net.
"From Harvest to Home" Film Showings
We have recently made efforts to show our film at local high schools and universities, as a way to inform a broader audience and engage more young adults in farm worker advocacy. Thanks to
La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks and the
CSUCI Chicana/o Studies program for showing our film to your students! Interested in showing the film to your community group? Contact us!
Save the Date!
Our 6th annual "From Field to Fork" fundraiser will be held at the beautiful Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Ranch in Moorpark. Join us on Thursday, July 21, 2016 as we bring together the farmers that produce Ventura County's agricultural bounty, the local chefs who celebrate that bounty on their menus, and the farm workers whose labor makes it all possible. More information to follow.
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