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RMM Notes
September 2009
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JFW Update
Onward and Upward!
Dear friends, Many of you have approached or e-mailed us over the
past few days to ask what happened in Albany on and since Thursday.
The answer is complicated. Basically, the Senate leadership failed to
bring the bill to the floor for a vote, but -- thanks to those who called
and faxed (many thousands!) Sen. Sampson, and to those who journeyed
from all across the state to join us in Albany -- we have progress to
report.
About 25-30 of us traveled to Albany to gather in our red shirts outside the Senate chamber, eager to witness history (see: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/opinion/09wed4.html). A farmworker from Sullivan County hand-delivered a letter to Sen.
Sampson, the leader of the Democratic Conference, asking him to put the
bill on the agenda (a copy of the letter was posted by the Albany Times
Union here: http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/18003/farmworkers-group-bemoans-lack-of-action/).
And then we waited and waited in the lobby, meeting briefly with
members of the Senate as they passed into and out of the Senate
chamber -- all supporters of equal rights.
Finally, Sen. Sampson emerged with Majority Leader Espada and
the senator whose vocal opposition to the Farmworkers Fair Labor
Practices Act was largely responsible for keeping the bill off of
Thursday's agenda. Together the three promised: although the bill
wouldn't be on their agenda for the day, they would take it up during
the next two months. They shook the hands of the farmworkers and
allies gathered, promising action, and returned to the Senate chamber.
The Senate leadership's failure to deliver on Thursday must be called that, a failure (see for example, http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/09/14/2009-09-14_pedro_ducks_and_covers.html).
But they still have an opportunity to do the right thing in the coming
weeks. And of our allies throughout the faith and labor communities will
encourage them in every way possible to make good on their pledge.
Thank you for your prayers, phone calls, passion and willingness
to be an ally. Last week's progress simply wouldn't have happened
without your vigilance. We will be in touch.
Onward and upward!
Richard and Jordan
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Workplace Education Center
dedicated in Monticello
RMM
is proud to announce the Dedication and Grand Opening of
the Workplace
Education
Center
of Sullivan
County, which took place on
Sunday, Sept. 13, at
St.
John's Episcopal Church in Monticello, New
York.
The Workplace Education
Center,
through educational programs that link and benefit both
workers and businesses, is working to improve living standards
in Sullivan
County.
This Center is the result of a unique
partnership of seven organizations: The Kairos Project ,
the New
York State
Labor-Religion Coalition, Rural
& Migrant Ministry ,
St.
John's
Episcopal Church, the United
Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the United
Food and Commercial Worker's Union Local 342,
and
the Worker's Rights
Law Center,
who
have joined together to benefit the common good of this community.
We want to thank all who came out to show
their support as well as all those who worked so hard to make this dream a
reality!
Education Program Information is
available by contacting David Montanye at (845) 485-8627.
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Summer Report
Thank you, interns
During this summer the Youth Arts Group (YAG) has been involved in a series of
educational presentations and trips.
One of our accomplishments was that 10 members completed internships
with RMM in the following areas:
Gender Violence, Art for Change and Day Camps. Every participant demonstrated maturity,
responsibility, creativity and hard work. They are truly an inspirational group of young people and a positive
representation of today's youth. The people who have been involved with our interns as mentors are very
impressed with their performances. Each intern did more than was asked or expected of them.
The mentors did a great job supporting and guiding our
interns. I thank them for providing a safe and
educational environment.
On another note, in our leadership presentations this
summer we invited teen attendees to apply to YAG for 2009-2010, and we have a
list of 15 who are interested.
The Gender Violence and Art for Change interns presented
workshops based on what they learned in their internships, which increased their
skills in important areas, such as public speaking, self-confidence, networking,
working as a group, and time management.
Thank you interns and mentors for your hard work this
summer and to RMM staff for your support.
-- Andres Chamorro
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Yes! Believe! Dreams Do Come True!
Summer reflections 
Thanks to the
commitment and hard work of the staff that plan, create and organize; thanks to
all our supporters (individuals, churches and organizations) that generously
send the funds; and thanks to the churches that collected needed supplies and
especially new sports equipment, Dreams Do Come True!
Each summer RMM offers
opportunities to almost 200 children and youth to learn and grow through summer
day programs and at overnight camp. A
committed staff and returning summer interns made this year notable. The churches that through their outreach and
VBS programs (The Reformed Church, Poughkeepsie; Trinity Episcopal Church,
Fishkill; St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Tuxedo Park; New Hackensack Reformed
Church, Wappingers Falls; and Beacon Reformed Church,
Beacon) collected beach towels, new sports equipment, composition books for
creative writing workshops and cabin supplies for overnight campers, saved
countless hours of time and made preparations easy.
And, last, but certainly not least, to all
who so generously contributed financial gifts that made it all possible, Thank You! You helped us make a difference!
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Leadership Camp Celebrates 20 Years!
by Wendy
Goodman
On
Friday night Aug. 28, at Kutz Camp in Warwick,
Rural & Migrant
Ministry celebrated the 20th Anniversary of its week-long Leadership
Camp for rural and migrant worker children.
The
evening began with a Reunion Reception for camp alumni with about 35 past
counselors, campers, arts staff and administrative support (including Camp Founders and Board Members). The celebration was full with
discussion, a slide show of moments from years past, music created by RMM
campers (a preview to a full CD of camp songs to come), delicious finger food
and a door prize drawing where CDs of the music and a few gift baskets were
given out. Attendees also received
a beautiful pictorial and historic write up of the 20 years that camp has
existed.
Later, campers and alumni alike delighted as they entered the
Lake
Pavilion for a special
celebratory dinner. Along with a
buffet set up with delectable deserts and main courses, the balloons, table
clothes and live music announced that this was indeed a special evening. Some camp songs were sung,
and Richard honored many of those
who have made a mark in camp these many years. In honor or Nurse Peggy's retirement
after 15 years as RMM Camp Nurse, the Camp Nurses
Scholarship was renamed the Nurse Peggy Camp Nurses Scholarship. Jeannine Otis then surprised
Ruth with a rendition of 'Victory' that
had Ruth up and dancing and singing in
all her glory and Richard surprised her with a lovely photo collage of her years
past. To Richard's surprise, Ruth surprised him with a similar collage with
Richard as the focus!
The
campers were excited about the talent show, the high energy dinner and the
imminent camp end. With energetic song as backup, all headed up to one of the
most delightful talent shows and evening vespers where everyone was reminded
once again of the powerful impact RMM camp has and has had on so many lives it
has touched.
None of this would have been
accomplished without the support and constant last minute 'stepping up' by Linda Gluck and Jane
Konitz, the planning involvement of Lynne Martinez, the beautiful baskets pulled
together by Rosa Fairchild, and of course the continual guidance and
participation of Richard, Ruth and Shiena. The Camp Kutz staff was also
delightfully responsive to our needs and desires. Thank you all.
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Thank you!
From the Managing
Director
Congratulations and thank you to the staff,
interns and volunteers of Rural & Migrant Ministry on making
2009 another fabulous Summer Camp experience for so many children!
We cannot forget that our children
come from a population that is easily marginalized. There are few
opportunities and resources for these children and the Overnight Camp is often their one big
opportunity each summer to be kids and have fun since the rest of the
summer they are either in summer school, working or migrating. With the rising
gasoline prices, their lack of transportation (public or private) and their
geographic isolation it is a real challenge to reach these children and provide
them with a tangible opportunity to connect. Their trip to the Dutchess County
Fair was a truly unique and special event for most of them.
You all worked very hard to make this dream come
true for so many kids and I wanted you to know that your efforts and dedication
will not be forgotten!
Laura Lecour,
Managing Director
Rural &
Migrant Ministry
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United Methodist Women
Host Annual District Meeting
Rev. Dr. David Montanye to be Keynote Speaker Sept. 26
The
Catskill-Hudson District United Methodist Women have scheduled their Annual
District Meeting on Saturday, September 26 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Saugerties United Methodist Church.
The Keynote Speaker
for this event will be the Rev. Dr. David Montanye, RMM Social Justice
Education Coordinator. The United Methoidist Women have long been
active in issues of justice for farmworkers, workers rights, and
economic justice. |
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Save the Date
Sowing the Seeds fo r Justice Dinner
Thursday, November 12
The Riverside Church, New York City
Beginning at 6 p.m.
Enjoy a three-course dinner, open bar, silent auction,
guest speakers and artists. For more information, call (845) 485-8627 or e-mail rmmllecour@optimum.net
This year's honorees include Kerry Kennedy, founder of
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights; a NY Farmworker whose identity we must protect at this time; and the Rev. Jim and Louise Palm, long-time volunteers
with RMM and former leaders of the
Stony Point Conference
Center.
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Destiny 2009
Rural Women's Conference
December 4 & 5  Holiday Inn, Binghamton, NY A Gathering for Rural Women and their allies. Keynote Speakers: To be announced Registration $150.00
Scholarships are available Contact Ruth Faircloth for further information at (845) 485-8627.
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MIGRANT STORIES
Copies now available; get yours today 
RMM is pleased and proud to announce the publication of an educational
bulletin "Migrant Stories," a collection of stories describing the
lives, hopes, fears, and dreams of 13 New York State Farmworkers,
(several names have been changed to protect their identities.)
These stories were recorded and transcribed by one of our summer interns, Tara Garcia Matthewson, as well as by members of our Youth Arts
Group.
Copies are available for $7.95. Please make your checks payable to RMM or contact us for further information.
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Meditation
"The future does not belong to those who are
content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike,
timid and fearful in the face of new ideas and bold projects. Rather it will
belong to those who can blend vision, reason and courage in a personal
commitment to the ideals and great enterprises of American
Society."
-- Ted Kennedy
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Our 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 |
Rural Migrant Ministry
P.O Box 4757
Poughkeepsie, New York 12602
rmmjustice@gmail.com
845-485-8627
http://ruralmigrantministry.org/ |
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