Five years ago, I spent the summer participating in a Student Action with Farmworkers internship program. I was placed at Migrant Head Start, a pre-school program in rural farmwork areas, where I did outreach to migrant farmwork parents. I met hundreds of parents trying to do the best for their kids, learned from co-interns from farmwork families, and began to realize that genuine relationships are the key to any true social change. I sit here five years later as a licensed social worker, and I’m graciously aware that the experience was essential in making me the person I am today.

For that reason, I will be trying to raise $1,000 in the next 5 days to support this outstanding organization.

What is Student Action with Farmworkers? SAF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works with young people from all over the U.S. (including Texas!) through internship and fellowship programs in order to fulfill their mission “to bring students and farmworkers together to learn about each other’s lives, share resources and skills, improve conditions for farmworkers, and build diverse coalitions working for social change.”

There are a lot reasons to support Student Action with Farmworkers, but I’ll hit the highlights:

1.  SAF is an excellent steward of public support. You can read about their accomplishments here.

2.  The universal relevance of farmwork issues; who doesn’t eat food? You might be surprised about the conditions people live and work in so you and I can eat three meals a day. Click here for information. It’s not our fault there’s a problem, but it’s our responsibility to be part of the solution!

3.  For me, what sets SAF apart is the way it helps young people develop into socially conscious leaders who go out and work toward social justice. As someone who has volunteered, interned, and worked at a wide variety of non-profits, I’ve never encountered an organization that invests more in young people. SAF provides a living stipend and scholarship, pays for flights, and arranges housing so that young people from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds can participate.

Throughout the week, I’ll be sending out updates and short stories about how SAF impacted me as a person. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions along the way!

SAF's grassroots fundraising goal is to raise $20,000 through online fundraising and house parties!

SAF uses money raised from individuals to:

• conduct outreach to students and farmworkers,
• provide training, stipends, and scholarships for our interns, students organizers, and youth,
• share documentaries and presentations with the general public, and
• provide a living wage and full benefits to our staff

Thanks to those that have already donated this year through our 20-year anniversary sponsorships. We hope that you will consider giving again to help sustain our work for the next 20 years.

Alexa Dilworth

Andrea Kells

Carolyn Corrie

Cris Rivera

Evan Hughes & Leanne Simon

Irene Godinez

Irving Zavaleta

Lyndsey Beutin

Mercedes Hernandez-Pelletier

Patrick Stawski

Ronald Garcia Fogarty