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  RMM Notes
March 2010 |
- Harvesting Justice Film Series to conclude for the year;
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Dear friends of the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign,
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On Saturday, March 4th a group of allies traveled to Brooklyn to march through Senator Dilan's district and to bear witness to the farmworkers in front of his office. The Senator, a Democrat, had voted against the Farmworker Fair Labor Act in the Labor Committee; has refused to sponsor the Bill and has worked against it. We wanted the people of his district to know of his actions, and to let him know that he couldn't hide from his vote.
Often it is easy to wonder if our actions have any impact. I am pleased to say that this time they did. The Senator was very much aware of our presence and later called. That being said, he appears to be willing to sit down with us and talk about changing his stance. The Senator is a critical vote needed for passage of the Bill - so thank you to those who came - You had an impact!
On Monday, March 1st the Senate Agriculture Committee held a sham hearing to consider the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act. Rural & Migrant Ministry and the Diocese have been pushing for equal rights for farmworkers in New York for over fifteen years. Over Christmas week we reached an agreement with the Senate leadership about the Bill. We had to compromise in order to make it work for small family farms, but the essence of equality remained. Instead of the Bill going quickly go through the Labor Committee and other committees to the Senate floor for a vote, the Agriculture Committee requested that it be sent to them. (This might seem logical, but isn't, as the Agriculture Committee has no jurisdiction - this is a labor law bill) The Chair of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Aubertine has gone on record saying that this Bill will pass over his dead body.
We believe Senator Aubertine held thehearing as an effort to discredit and sabotage the Bill. He invited 45 people to testify; of those, only 5 wer from the Justice For Farmworker Campaign (and only after we raised a ruckus to get some voice present) The only farmworkers he invited were those who got invitations through their bosses. Our speakers included: Kerry Kennedy, Denis Huges (president of the NYS AFL-CIO), Dick Ianuzzi (President of the NYS United Teachers), Bishop Howard Hubbard of the NYS Catholic Conference, Librada Paz (RMM Board) and Legislative Campaign Coordinator, Jordan Wells. A special thanks to Librada Paz for her courage and persistence in giving voice to fellow farmworkers and to Jordan Wells who represented farmworkers with amazing clarity and precision of fact - while pointedly drawing attention to the farce of the hearing and being repaid with intense scorn from the Senators. See links below:
and for a refreshing change!:
This hearing once again reminds us of the ease of those who have power to ignore the voice of the poor, in their efforts to maintain the status quo. Thank you for joining us in helping to tip the scales of justice.
Richard Witt |
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March Report: YOUTH ARTS GROUP
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the YAG members and our precious college interns for all the support, hard work, and inspiration that all of you offer to our community.
· On January 29, YAG participated in a workshop presentation about Farmworkers' Rights, with Ms. Kate Mackler from USCW. The presentation was very informative and provided our teens with the opportunity to learn more about working conditions. Also, the stories and testimonies from the factory workers were really powerful.
· On January 30, YAG had the last workshop about college preparation. Some parents and other youth attended the workshop. All members agreed that education is critical to their success.
· On February 12, we had a presentation about Youth Media with Emily Benison from Children's Media Project. This presentation allowed our members to reflect about the power of communication media and its influence on youth.
· On February 19, YAG participated in a workshop about Education and how youth can have a more effective voice in the school system with Ms. Caitlin Ervin from the Annenberg Institute for School Reform.
· On February 21, two of our members, Joanna and Gabriela, led a presentation at the Justice For All Speakers Forum at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. Approximately 80 participants attended. Here our members had the opportunity to share their life stories as immigrants to the USA.
· On March 5, Martin Lopez from the New York Students Coalition, NY presented a workshop about the Dream Act / Immigration / Access to college for undocumented students.
· On March 8, the YAG Fund committee met to continuing the planning and organizing of this important program. We are very impressed with our YAG committee members and our great leaders and advisors; they are really creative and are taking every step with great responsibility. |
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YOUTH ARTS GROUP ART-A-THON !
Join us as we create art pieces for 10 straight hours to focus on issues affecting teens, such as
racism, violence, poverty, immigration, education & human rights!  WHEN: APRIL 24, 2010
WHERE: UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
25 ORCHARD STREET
TIME: 9am until 7pm
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! SAVE THE DATE!
This event is sponsored by the members of the Youth Arts Group (YAG) of Rural & Migrant Ministry. This fundraiser event will support the work of the Youth Arts Group. For more information contact Andres Chamorro: (845) 518-9210 chamorro@ptd.net
FOOD! MUSIC! PRESENTATIONS! SILENT AUCTION! CREATING ART! AND MUCH MORE . |
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Kairos 2010 Lenten Free Film Series
St John's Church, 15 St John St., Monticello, NY
Join Us as we look at issues of living in a just world.
All films at 1:00pm on Sunday afternoons
February 28 : Pay It Forward (2000 PG-13)
March 7: A Day without a Mexican (R)
March 14: Chicken Run (pg) (Cartoon)
March 21: Capitalism: A Love Story (R)
THE KAIROS PROJECT is a group of concerned Sullivan residents committed to justice, dignity and opportunity for all Sullivan residents. For more information call 845-733-6721 |
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Save the Date!
 Join us at our Walk-a-thon and Brunch!
This coming June 5th, starting at Vanderbilt Loop and ending at St. James's Church in Hyde Park our 3 mile Walkathon will be followed by a culinary delight prepared by the students of The Culinary Institute! Last year we were treated to a delicious Korean Barbeque! This event is not to be missed! Rain or Shine, we will Walk! (and then we will eat!) Prizes for Most Funds Raised by an Individual, Most Sponsors by an Individual, Most Funds Raised by a Group, Most Walkers from a Group.
For more information and to register please call Laura 845-485-8627 |
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What Else Can U Do?
Many of you have inquired as to what you can do in addition to or instead of making a donation to help RMM fulfill it's Mission.
Here are a few ideas:
 Host a Coffee House at your place of worship! A Coffee House is an easy way to earn some money for RMM as well as have a lot of fun. They can be very low key and informal. You can gather together a group of folk (young and old) who might be interested in participating in a Coffee House. Find a place and set a date. Participants can be from your own church/group or from the community at large. Young people who play guitar and sing or play another instrument might be interested. Also, poetry can be read or stories told. Each 'act' can play one, two or three numbers! Sell tickets and serve or sell refreshments!
Host a House Party!The best thing about House Parties is that you control the type of event (Wine & Cheese, Tea and Cookies, Cocktail party) the time of day/night, the guest list, the theme and the duration! Think of friends, family members, co-workers or worship family who may be interested in learning more about the Program areas of RMM (Summer Leadership Camp, Youth Arts Group, Justice for Farmworkers Campaign, Rural Women's Conference, Social Justice & Education). We will help you make out a guest list. On the day/evening of the event, a member of RMM's staff will come and speak to your group for five or ten minutes, and answer any questions they may have. Donations are welcomed but not required. What better way to socialize and spread the word about the very important work of RMM!?!
 Search the WEB!By utilizing goodsearch.com as your search engine and designating RMM as your chosen charity, a penny will be donated every time you search!
 Online Shop and Donate! goodshop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Rural & Migrant Ministry as the charity you wish to support. Be sure to spread the word!
There are many other opportunities to help RMM! You can volunteer your time and your talents and you can also intern with us for a Semester.
Please call the office with any ideas you may have! Laura 845-485-8627
AN URGENT NEED...The parking lot at the RMM office can best be described as one huge mud puddle! The deterioration of the parking lot has made it a lake when it rains and an ice skating rink in the winter cold. Wear has made the edge of the road higher, making it difficult and dangerous to pull out onto the road.
Do you know anyone that might be able to help improve what is becoming a more unsightly and dangerous situation? We have a group of fraternity men from Marist College looking to volunteer their muscles and time to help. Expertise in 'what and how to proceed' and someone who can help purchase or find supplies are needed. Please call if you or someone you know might be able to help give the parking lot a facelift!
Laura Lecour,
Managing Director
Rural & Migrant Ministry |
Bravo to Librada Paz, who traveled through the snowstorm from Rochester to Ithaca, thanks to the kindness of her friend and driver Alina Diaz.
Librada and I spoke at Cornell University on February 25 on farmworker rights, specifically about the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign. The talk was sponsored by several Cornell student groups, and drew a crowd of 30 or more. We're grateful to the students for the invitation and for their commitment to this cause. They plan to make Farmworker Justice a key focus of the May 1 event they are planning. Laurie Konwinski - Development Coordinator |
Congratulations to our own (it always nice to claim someone who is working for justice!) Dr. Lory Ghertner is about to be honored by the Rochester Committee on Latin American Justice with their WHITE DOVE AWARD. Lory is being honored for his commitment, passion and perseverance in standing with immigrant workers and their families. YEA to Lory!!!! |
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WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU?
The Northeast Region of APCE (Association of Presbyterian Church Educators) and The Christian Educators of the Regional Synod of New York (Reformed Church in America) are co-sponsoring a conference April 21-23, 2010 at The Warwick Center, Warwick, NY. Focusing on the theme of Justice using two important confessions, The Belhar and Accra, participants will share and grow in understanding and begin to learn what is required of them to bring about a more just community and world.
Rev. Richard Witt will join The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Visiting Professor of Ecumenical Studies and Global Ministries at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, Louisville, KY and Dr. Oliver Patterson, Elder in the Reformed Church in America, currently on the Belhar Implementation Team and Director of the Covenanting for Educational Justice Institute in leading this conference. Andres Chamorro, RMM's Youth Empowerment Coordinator and members of the Youth Arts Group will participate with the conference participants in a workshop on Art for Social Change.
The cost of the conference is $150.00 for APCE members, $175.00 for non-members and $100.00 for commuters. For more information, please contact Jane Konitz at 845-297-5864 or
e-mail: c.konitz@verizon.net. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MARCH 26TH.
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OVERNIGHT CAMP COUNSELORS (especially young men) NEEDED...RMM Overnight Camp will be held the week of August 22 thru 28 at Camp Kutz in Warwick, NY. Each year for the past 20, about 100 rural and migrant children and youth have participated in this amazing Leadership Camp. Are you or do you know a young adult 18 years of age or older that might give a week to help at camp? Please contact Ruth Faircloth, 845-485-8627 or 845-418-8757 (cell).
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Meditation
For everyone strives to keep his individuality as apart as possible, wishes to secure the greatest possible fullness of life for himself...For he is accustomed to rely upon himself alone and to cut himself off from the whole; he has trained himself not to believe in the help of others, in men and in humanity..But this terrible individualism must inevitably have an end, and all will suddenly understand how unnaturally they are separated from one another. Fyodor Dostoyevsky
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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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