RMM NOTES

              (News From Rural & Migrant Ministry)

                               February 2008
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
 
Visit our website for additional information on the following events or the mark your calendar section in this newsletter:
 
  • Justice For ALL Speakers Forum presents Billy Easton 3/9/2008 @4pm
  • Just US Youth Conference 5/3/2008
 

 

 

 

Sister Organization Links
 
CONTACT US 
 
 
Eastern New York
 
Address:
P.O. Box 4757
Poughkeepsie, NY12602
Phone:
(845) 485-8627
Fax:
(845) 485-1963
 
 
 
Western New York
 
Email:
Address:
14 State Street
Brockport, NY 14420
Phone:
(845) 637-8360
Fax:
(585) 637-8362
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mission

Rural and Migrant Ministry works for the creation of a just rural New York State through:
  • Nurturing leadership
  • Standing with the disenfranchised, especially, farmworkers and rural workers
  • Changing unjust systems and structures
 
Meditation
 
One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on life's highway. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth.
With righteous indignation, it will look across the seas and see individual capitalists of the West investing huge sums of money in Asia, Africa and South America, only to take the profits out with no concern for the social betterment of the countries, and say: "This is not just."
It will look at our alliance with the landed gentry of Latin America and say: "This is not just."
- MLK Jr.
 

News/Analysis

 
  

Farmworker

Advocacy Days

 

New York excludes many of our brothers and sisters from basic human rights. 

 

Farmworkers are excluded from such rights as:

  • A Day Of Rest
  • Overtime Pay
  • Protection When Bargaining Collectively

JUSTICE FOR FARMWORKERS CAMPAIGN

Become an Ally & JOIN US!

For the following FARMWORKER ADVOCACY DAYS:
February 25th  (In Collaboration with the New York Immigration Coalition)

March  4th (In Collaboration with the NYS Labor-Religion Coalition 40 Hour Fast)

March 31st    (In Celebration of the birthday of Cesar Chavez)

April 15th  (Tax Day!  Farmworkers pay millions of dollars in taxes)

May 5th (In Celebration of Cinco de Mayo)

May 19th   (In Collaboration with the NYS Labor-Religion Conference)

June 1st and 2nd (A special overnight gathering!)

 

Join us in Albany from 11am to 4pm.  The days will include:  Orientation, visits with key elected officials, a justice vigil and planning for next steps.

 

For more information and to register, call Rural and Migrant Ministry 845-485-8627 or email Jordan Wells at farmworkerjustice@gmail.com

 http://www.ruralmigrantministry.org/

"Read Jordan Wells' response to the Governor's State of the State address"Justice for Farmworkers in Albany Times Union

Youth Arts Group (YAG NEWS)

  • YAG is pleased to welcome two new members: Daniela and Nancy 
  • On January 19, 2008, YAG participated in a fundraising Coffee House supporting Rural and Migrant Ministry at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church. It was a delightful time as both members of the congregation and YAG participated.  We are very grateful to Hitchcock - thanks!
  • Beginning Friday, February 15th, YAG will begin a series of presentations and workshops on Using Art for Social Change.  We cordially invite local artists who are using their art as a means for creating community change to contact us.  We would love to know about your work!

We are pleased to announce that  Laura Lecour will be joining Rural and Migrant Ministry as our Managing Director.   
 
Laura brings a wealth of experience in managing organizations. She has also been committed to farmworker justice for many years - as she has worked with migrant education and has served as the translator of Justice For Farmworkers Campaign.  Laura has long been an ally of RMM and is excited about our mission. Laura will be responsible for the financial and administrative side of RMM.

Mark Your Calendar
  • Justice For All Speakers Forum Presents:
Billy Easton
 
 
Politics of Education: Whose Kids? Who Cares? 
March 9, 2008 @4pm at Pleasant Plains  Church in Staatsburg
2 Fiddler's Bridge Rd
 
Billy Easton-Executive Director
Alliance for Quality Education
 
Founded only in 2000, the Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) is statewide non-profit that unites a coalition of over 230 organizations of parents, children's advocates, schools, teachers, clergy, labor unions, business leaders and others in the fight for quality public education.
Working with all stakeholders, but emphasizing the involvement of parents and youth, AQE combines leadership development, community organizing, electronic activism, extensive media relations, policy work, and lobbying within a cohesive campaign for fundamental education reform. For additional information visit www.allforjustice.org

 

  • Please join us as we join the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition for their annual forty hour fast in support of immigrant workers. New York Labor-Religion Coalition 40 Hour Fast information

  • We Cordially invite all young people and community leaders to join us May 3rd in New Paltz for our 5th Annual Just Us Conference. If you would like to get involved or get more information, please contact Meghan or Andres at 845-485-8627.

"Last years Just Us Conference featuring guest speaker and YAG Alum, Chakera MacIntosh from London, England. 
 
  • THE GOOD WORD ABOUT FAITH AND MONEY will explore, through a series of presentations, charitable giving and strategies for building stronger partnerships.   Presentations will include:
  1. Different types of charitable giving
  2. "You don't have to have a lot of money to make a difference"
  3. How to approach donors
When: Saturday April 5th, 2008 9:30-3:30

Where:  St. Paul's Episcopal Church 161 Mansion Street Poughkeepsie

Sponsored by: Rural and Migrant Ministry, Episcopal Church Foundation, AXA Services and the Mid-Hudson Region of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.  For additional information call Rural Migrant Ministry @ 845-485-8627.

  • April 26th at Vassar College - a benefit performance for the Justice For All Speakers Forum. "Archaeology of a Storm" a shadow theater production by Cave Dogs.

 
We Sure Could Use Your Help!!
 
 
JOB OPENING at RMM
 
Education Coordinator (part time Hudson Valley
The Education Coordinator will direct and expand a unique education program that brings together  rural and migrant peoples and allies who seek to create a more just rural community in New York. For more information please visit our web-site www.ruralmigrantministry.org  To apply send resume and cover letter to Richard Witt, PO BOX 4757 Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
 
Volunteers Needed
  • RMM is seeking volunteers with website development skills to work with the Justice for Farmworkers campaign and Youth Arts Group in developing an online venue where folks can visit to learn more about and connect with our work.  If you are interested please call us at 845-485-8627 or e-mail Jordan at farmworkerjustice@gmail.com.
  • We are looking for writers who would like to volunteer to help tell RMM's story.  Give Richard Witt a call at 845-485-8627. Looking for a different way to spend a part of your week?  Come volunteer at RMM's offices - Either in Lagrange or Brockport!
  • YAG is currently working on a Radio Show that will be aired on WJFF in Sullivan County.  If anyone would like to volunteer to work with us on this project, please contact Andres at 845-485-8627

YAG Wish List

In order to improve our YAG program, we identify some important needs that will help us to  achieve our goals. Here is a list of things needed by YAG.  We greatly appreciate any contribution you can make!

1- Digital Video Camera
2- Digital photo camera
4 -MAC laptops computers
2- Audio CD recorders