Hi Friends and Family,

This summer I will be interning with Student Action with Farmworkers (SAF) through their Into the Fields Internship for ten weeks. I will be in Columbia, South Carolina, where I will have the incredible opportunity to work with the Migrant Education Program. I will be going into farmworker camps and recruiting eligible students to Migrant Education as well as aiding farmworker families in improving their English. In order to offset my living, travel, and housing expenses, I am fundraising for a total of $750. If you can, anything you donate is highly appreciated. Thank you!

Why Farmworkers?

Living in the Napa Valley, I grew up surround not only by the vineyards but by field workers, including my dad. Unfortunately, farm workers have been excluded from laws that protect laborers, putting them in a vulnerable position. Working conditions for farmworkers are incredibly difficult, with continuous exposure to pesticides and exteme weather conditions as well as longer work hours with little to no benefits. Additionally, the work done by farm workers is seasonal and with low wages, they often struggle economically. Although farmworkers in California are slowly receiving better conditions, that is not true for others across the nation, who tend to fall behind.

Why SAF?

In high school, I had the opportunity to work with ESL students and recruit several other bilingual peers to mentor the students in English, as well as academics. Through this experience I realized that I was incredibly interested in social justice, especially in regards to education.

When I came to Sacramento State, I was fortunate enough to become a student in the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), that helped me navigate my first year of college. As a CAMPer, I served on a panel during Cesar Chavez Legacy Week, where I talked about my family’s background in farmwork to my campus community. This academic year, I serve as a peer mentor for the CAMP program. Through bi-weekly meetings with students, I help them grow academically, professionally, and personally. Through this internship, I have also been able to advocate for farmworkers through the Farm to Fork Dinner where I was able to share my experience coming from a farm working background. Additionally, I have reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in academics, particularly serving underrepresented or marginalized groups.

SAF will allow me to gain experience working with farm worker children and farm workers, particularly those with much different working conditions than those in California. Through my work with SAF, I hope to gain experience working with underprivileged students in nontraditional settings which will help me in my future career.

Again, anything you can donate would be incredibly helpful in my journey ahead and is greatly appreciated!

Three Ways to Donate:

1. Donate Online!
2. Donate by Check! - Checks can be made out to Student Action with Farmworkers (memo: Jacqueline's Fundraising Campaign) and given to me to take to SAF, or mailed to:
   • Student Action with Farmworkers 1317 W. Pettigrew Street Durham, NC 27705
3. Donate Cash! - If you see me in person, I can pass your cash donation along to SAF! Please do not mail cash.