Farmworkers Self-Help, Inc.

Given that some of the counties most severely affected by the freeze are also among the most economically disadvantaged in the state, increased unemployment is significantly straining the resources of local social service agencies. Food banks in affected areas are experiencing a significant increase in the number of people seeking food assistance which has rapidly depleted their supplies.

Early estimates from Florida show 10 consecutive nights of freezes destroyed nearly a third of the state’s winter fruit and vegetable production and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. Harvesting remained stopped in many areas as growers wait for warmer weather to see what they can salvage. The severe cold struck all central and south Florida’s growing regions, from Plant City’s strawberries to vegetables in Immokalee and Naples in southwest Florida to Belle Glade in West Palm Beach County, to Homestead and areas along the East Coast.

Though damage estimates aren’t fully known yet, severe cold weather has harmed south Florida vegetable production and is sending vegetables prices skyrocketing — and the worst is yet to come. Growers and shippers were assessing damages caused by freezing weather that struck the Sunshine State early in the week of January 4th.

Immigrant workers from indigenous communities who are working in low-wage jobs are often stigmatized for their origins, their status, and their poverty. For them, achieving the American Dream means overcoming the historic biases of contemporary economic, cultural, social, and political systems. The Dream Fields of Florida explores the limits of accessibility to the American Dream for Mexican-American farmworkers.

Late last Thursday, one or more young people spray painted the letters L S G on the side of our teen center here in Tommytown. L S G is supposed to stand for Lock Street Gang, a loose knit group of troubled teens looking to gain fear and respect by tagging buildings in our community. Maybe it was in retaliation for the prayers that we said outside the home where they hang out; maybe it was just because we threaten their existence just by being there.

AgJOBS is a bipartisan, compromise bill that is the result of years of negotiations among farmworkers, growers, and Members of Congress. The legislation has two parts: 1) an earned legalization program for unauthorized farmworkers who meet certain eligibility requirements; and 2) a revision of the H-2A temporary foreign agricultural worker program. Numerous organizations from across the political spectrum believe that the bill is necessary to create a stable agricultural workforce, improve the lives of farmworkers, and give employers access to the workers they need.

The fun started after the health fair on our basketball court. There were fewer contests this year but the prizes were bigger. There was plenty of music and dancing. Our own Teen Dream Team danced and Ballet la Onda also performed. Local families once again served authentic Mexican food at bargain prices. We want to thank everyone that helped to make this year's even a success and a very special thank you to our staff that worked so hard to prepare the parade and fiesta.

For years, FSH has been committed to improving women's health. In January 1997, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut sponsored H.R. 135, the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 1997, in the 105th Congress. The bill sought to "amend the Public Health Service Act and Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require that group and individual health insurance coverage and group health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies and lymph node dissections performed for the treatment of breast cancer."

Maybe the folks with no faith say that there is an economic crunch but God didn’t say it because His people took care of over 1,000 children and fed them well. We were worried that there would not be enough food and presents to go around but just as Jesus fed the multitude with two fish and five loaves of bread, I believe God multiplied the toys food and blankets. His children and all the parents went away content and happy and there was food left over.