In the 1930s . . .  in the midst of the Jim Crow era  . . .  farmworkers were excluded under New York Labor Law from basic human rights, including a day of rest, overtime pay and protection while bargaining collectively.  Now, in 2009, the New York State Senate can right this wrong, and all of New York can feel the freedom of the yoke of injustice    being removed.

Join Us!
 
Albany area       
Thursday, Oct. 15
5:30-6:30 p.m.  (Outside the headquarters of the New York State Farm Bureau, 159 Wolf Rd. in Colonie)

Middletown
Friday, Oct 16
6 p.m.   (United Presbyterian Church, 50 East Main St., former Webb Horton Church)

Millbrook
Friday, Oct. 16
6 p.m.  (Grace Episcopal Church, 3328 Franklin Ave.)

New York City    
Saturday, Oct. 17
7 p.m. (Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 316 E 88th St.)

Monticello
Sunday, Oct. 18
6 p.m. (St. John's Episcopal Church, 15 St John St.)

White Plains        
Monday, Oct 19
7 p.m. (St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 82 Prospect St.)

Ithaca                 
Monday, Oct. 19
5 p.m. (First Baptist Church, Dewitt Park)

Long Island          
TBD   (Setauket)  
For further information call the Rev. Noelle Damico (631) 371-9877.

Rochester
Wednesday, Oct. 21
7 p.m. (St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 15 St Mary's Place)

JUSTICE FOR FARMORKERS: THE TIME IS NOW!
 
For more information, call Rural & Migrant Ministry at (845) 485-8627

By Andres Chamorro

We have 11 active members in the Youth Arts Group; two members are currently  in college and are part of the group.

We have three college interns working with YAG. Two of them are our wonderful and inspiring interns from last year, John and Kristina.

On Sept. 25, we had an important meeting in which members from YAG presented our program and all parents shared their testimonies about the benefits of the group to new applicants and their parents.

One of our important activities is our annual recruitment. Recently, we had a good group of nine applicants. The presentations were acceptable for some of them, and a few were really good. Another three applicants were scheduled to present on Friday, Oct. 9. After that, YAG members will decide and choose the new members.

We have space for nine applicants, and we may have 11 applicants in total.

We have a powerful group led by the Rev. Richard Witt, two great interns Argelia and Lillian, and our impressive YAG members: Stephan, Elsa, Joana and Valeria that is working hard in creating our new entrepreneurial program, YAG Funds.  (Led by the Rev. Richard Witt, two great interns Argelia and Lillian, and our impressive YAG members: Stephan, Elsa, Joana and Valeria. This program is getting more solid every time.

Future activities:

On Oct. 16, we will host a vigil to support farmworkers in their struggle to obtain equal labor rights.  We would like to extend an invitation to you to join us at this important event. Here is more information:

Activity: Vigil to Support Farmworkers

Date: Oct. 16

Time: 6 to 7 p.m.

Middletown, NY 10940  

Finally, on Oct. 23 and 24, we will have our first overnight in New York City.

Our summer camps are made possible by the generous donations of the following sponsors:

The Adelante Donor Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the McKnight Fund of the UMC, the Presbyterian Women of Hitchcock Church, Scarsdale, Episcopal Social Services, Stissing National Bank, the Pine Plains Council of Churches, St James Church, Hyde Park, St. Mary's Church, Tuxedo Park, Johann Huleatt of Rifton Church Communities Foundation and the many, many individuals and congregations that have responded and continue to respond to our summer appeal!

Govans Economic Management Senate and Dr. Roja Singh, president of the Dalit Solidarity Forum to UNLOCK YOUR DESTINY -  our 5th Annual Destiny Rural Women's Conference on Dec. 4 and 5 at the Holiday Inn in Binghamton, New York -- a gathering for rural women and their allies from across New York State working for change.
Come join us and women of faith, congregations, agencies, organizations and student groups for two days of networking and education. Workshop topics include Domestic Violence, Trafficking, Community Building, Strength & Spirit, Family & School, Women's Health Care, Career, Youth and Diversity.  Spanish translation and daycare provided.
For Registration / Sponsorships / Underwriting opportunities / Vendor and Educational tables, or for more information, please call Ruth Faircloth or Laura LeCour at ( 845) 485-8627.
Scholarships are available

* Nurturing leadership
* Standing with the disenfranchised, especially farmworkers and rural workers
* Changing unjust systems and structures