RMM NOTES

              (News From Rural & Migrant Ministry)

                               March 2009!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 by:
  • Nurturing leadership
  • Standing with the disenfranchised, especially farmworkers and rural workers
  • Changing unjust systems and structures

Medition

 "Fighting for social justice is one of the most profound ways in which one can say yes to one's dignity, and that really means sacrifice. There is no way on this earth in which you can say yes to one's dignity and know that you're going to be spared some sacrifice." - Cesar Chavez
 

News/Analysis

Announcing the Justice for Farmworkers website!  The website is the place for farmworker allies to get campaign materials and get the latest updates on the legislative campaign.  Thanks go out to a Cornell student volunteer for working with Jordan on the design and construction of the new site.



 
 
 
 
Youth Arts Group/Youth Empowerment 
 
The following is a comment by Vassar College intern The following is a comment by Vassar College intern John Joyce regarding the workshop presented by some YAG members at the High Schools Organizing for Labor Action (HOLA) Conference!
At Swarthmore College (Philadelphia):HOLA was a national conference that brought  high school students/youth from around the country together to learn about workers' rights, social justice and how to fight for change in our schools  

 

Well I think that the members leading the workshop really stepped up for the group when they needed to.  Not only did they not have a lot of time to prepare, but plans changed at the last minute and they were able to adjust accordingly in order to make the workshop a success.  It really got everyone in the room thinking about different issues in their own communities, and the ways that we go about thinking about possible solutions.  The workshop had all of the participants energized, and I saw a lot of them afterward talking about different issues with YAG members and exchanging information to try to collaborate on future efforts.  I know that I was proud to be part of YAG at that point, and I can only speak for myself, but I sense that everyone else at the workshop associated with YAG--those who led it and those who did not--were proud as well, of the positive impression we gave to other youth.
 
YAG ACTIVITIES: 
  • We have 3 phenomenal interns from Vassar College.
  • YAG is working hard on chosen themes for this semester: Gender Violence, Farmworker Justice, Access to College for Undocumented Students, and the YAG bank (creating micro loan funds for YAG).   
  • On March 6, we had a presentation from the New York State Youth Leadership Council regarding important information on Immigrant Students' Access to Higher Education (Dream Act - Defending our Right to Dream, Exercising our right to Act!)
  • Finally, it is my pleasure to inform you that the Youth Arts Group was honored to receive the news that our group will receive a grand of $ 26,000 from the Self-Development of the People -National Level. We are really thankful for this wonderful opportunity. This grant will allow YAG to continue creating positive change in our communities and people's lives.

    The Youth Arts Group (YAG) sponsored by the Rural and Migrant Ministry, is currently working hard on some fund raising efforts to support scholarships for our members. On April 24, 2009 we will be hosting an event call Art-A-Thon, in which we are planning to create art pieces for 10 straight hours about important issues that are currently affecting our youth. Issues include racism, adultism, poverty, immigration, education, and human rights. This event will take place at 25 Orchard St, United Presbyterian Church in Middletown, NY. Our goal is to raise at least $1,000.00



Andres Chamorro
Youth Arts Group Coordinator
Rural & Migrant Ministry - RMM
Office: (845) 485-8627
Fax: (845) 485-1963
Cellular: ((845) 518-9210
artforchange@hotmail.com
chamorro@ptd.net

 
 

Mark Your Calendar

Join us for an inspiring evening with Randy Shaw, author of the new book, Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW, and the Struggle for Justice
in the 21st Century  (University of California Press) in NYC at Bluestockings Bookstore (172 Allen Street between Stanton and Rivington) on March 30 at 7:00pm.
 
 
Our very own David Montanye will be speaking about the work of RMM at the United Methodist Women Spring Meeting on April 1at 1pm at Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church, 2381 New Hackensack, Poughkeepsie.  For more information call: (845) 485-8627.
 
Pine Plains Leadership Day Camp Reunion and Pot Luck
 
An evening of food, fun, and making some plans for the summer
 
The Pine Plains Council of Churches and staff of RMM is gather at the Lions' Pavilion in Pine Plains near Stissing Lake on April 26 at 5PM to share fellowship and make plans for the Leadership Day Camp in Pine Plains this summer.  This event represents RMM's continuing commitment to youth empowerment in earstern Dutchess County.
The fun begins at 5 pm

SAVE THE DATE                  
Rural & Migrant Ministry invites you to a WALK-A-THON and BRUNCH June 6, 2009 at 10:00am starting at Vanderbilt Loop ending at St. James Church to celebrate our 20th anniversary of our Summer Overnight Leadership Camp. Detail will follow! For more information call 845-485-8627


 
We Sure Could Use Your Help!!
 
 
Rural and Migrant Ministry
 
 
The Kairos Project Program Coordinator 
 
RMM's partner The Kairos Project is looking for a progressive individual to coordinate the Kairos Project's programs and further its organizational development in Sullivan County, New York.  This position is based in Monticello, NY and involves a commitment of 20-30 hours per week.  Formed in 2007, the Kairos Project is designed to promote social and economic justice in Sullivan County.  Working in the areas of economic development, immigration, and youth development, Kairos seeks to provide a space where people of good will can explore the hidden potential of beautiful Sullivan County.
Working with the Kairos Steering Committee, the Program Coordinator has the following responsibilities:
- Serve as a catalyst for the development of social and economic justice in Sullivan County, especially seeking to nurture fair trade business opportunities where a living wage is earned by all workers.
- Strengthen the participation of a broad coalition of community leaders and allies to participate in the improvement of life in Sullivan County. Primary activities include: outreach, education, networking, and relationship building with a strong focus on communities of faith, economic justice organizations, students, and the labor community among others.
- Coordinate the educational programming, community meetings, and opportunities that help build community among diverse groups of people and advance the Kairos mission.
- Work in partnership with the Kairos Steering Committee to coordinate the fundraising activities of the Kairos Project.
 
Please send a cover letter and resume to:
Rev. Ninon Hutchinson
St. John's Episcopal Church
15 St. John Street
PO Box 107
Monticello, NY 12701
 
 
Workplace Education Center Wishlist
The Workplace Education Center is coming along and needs the following:
  •  Desks, office chairs and small tables for meetings
  • A cabinet to store materials for workshop leaders
  • Paint in neutral colors, preferably beige and white
  • Tables/chairs and a filing cabinet
Please contact Rev. David Montanye at (845) 485-8627 or davidmontanye@yahoo.com if you are interested in contributing any of the above items.

Volunteers Needed 

Got a few extra hours and enjoy writing?? We need writers to help us tell RMM's story. We have a lot of important things happening and we need to get the news out!
  • Help in the office call Laura @ 845-485-8627
  • Drivers to help our Youth Arts Group get around