On this occasion we organized a group of people from the Global and Transnational Feminism class of the University of Central Florida (UCF), Occupy Orlando members and Orlando YAYA members (a total of 35 people).

We worked shoulder to shoulder with 25 members of Fellsmere FWAF, and we are happy with the results of our work: in addition to having worked on the community garden, we strengthened our relationship with the community of Fellsmere and we enhanced the commitment for farm worker justice of our members and volunteers.

We would like to thank UCF students and YAYA members who in addition to volunteering their time at the garden also raised tools and money in support of the project. We look forward to continue working with FWAF and making the community garden a success!!!

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“I attended the Fellsmere Community Garden as part of a service-learning project for a course at the University of Central Florida. Our class, along with a few other volunteers, arrived in Fellsmere on the morning of March 31st, 2012. The community greeted us with open arms and a breakfast spread of fresh fruit and homemade lentils.

Introductions were announced in both Spanish and English, and translators were established so language barriers would not hinder communication amongst one another. We set to work clearing roots from a dirt plot that will eventually be home to a second community garden. While we all worked hard and got dirty, we were encouraged to drink water and seek shade or rest when needed. There was chatter and laughter and gratitude from both sides (the Fellsmere community and the volunteers), which created a friendly atmosphere. We all knew a good meal and a warm shower was in store for us at the end of the day. This is not the story for the average farmworker. For me, this realization/experience was equal parts humbling and inspirational.
 

After lunch and a soccer game with the younger members of the community, we were able to check out the progress of the original garden, which was amazing (despite the locust and fire ants that tried to ruin my day). Daniel gave us a tour and encouraged us to try some of the vegetables: radishes, and leeks, and beets, oh my! A few of us took a trip to the office where Yolanda pulled chairs around the kitchen table and chatted with us about the trials of the community and life in general. Back at the garden, we had a final debriefing before hitting the road. Gratitude was expressed; invitations to return were extended; hugs and handshakes were given.
 

By opening up so graciously to visitors, the Fellsmere community is striving for at least one person to walk away with a better understanding of the importance of building relationships and working in solidarity for progress to be made in the arena of social justice. During this trip, that part of their mission was accomplished.”

-Sara Matthews
UFC Student

Photos courtesy of Heather Graves

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The primary objective in hosting this event was to raise awareness about the roots of the farmworker movement, as it was focused on Dolores Huerta, César Chavez, and the United Farm Workers fast, and to partner with other student organizations with similar goals.

After the screening, Jeannie, from the Farm Worker Association of Florida, spoke about the dangers of pesticides and other toxic waste in the Apopka area, while two former farm workers, Geraldine and Linda, spoke about their experiences of working in the fields throughout their lives. The sharing of both women’s stories allowed faces to be put to the issue, enabling a connection to be made between our UCF community and farmworkers.

Personally, I learned a great deal about the United Farm Workers, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way the film presented that history in narrative format with interviews of protest participants interspersed throughout. It was also very enlightening to hear Geraldine speak at length about her experiences as a farmworker. I think it’s important for YAYA to continue to collaborate with organizations in the future so that collectively we could address the social oppressions. A lot of the issues present in the farm worker movement tie into the multiple issues that each of these groups fights against. Without the solidarity of other organizations, our movements will not alleviate social oppressions.

Patricia Parker
Orlando YAYA

We consider it necessary to bridge the immigrant and LGBTQ communities in Orlando, in order to understand the intersectionality of oppression faced by members of both groups, achieve justice for both groups and to strengthen our community.

The first event, attended by 42 people, was focused on the issues faced by undocumented immigrants while they are held at detention centers, especially for those who identify as members of the LGBTQ community. Participants were encouraged to send a message of solidarity to the family of Victoria Arellano, a transgender undocumented immigrant who lost her life under the custody of ICE at a detention center.

The second event, attended by 26 people, was focused on hearing the stories of people who are part of both the LGBTQ and the immigrant communities.

We would like to thank The Center and all the people who attended these events. We look forward to continue working with immigrants and the LGBTQ community in Orlando!

Part 1:

“On Saturday, March 17, Orlando YAYA hosted part one of Bridging Communities: LGBTQ and Immigrants event at The Center in downtown Orlando. The event, which began at 4:30 and lasted for two hours, consisted of a screening of the film “Lost in Detention” and a subsequent discussion on immigration and detention policies in the United States, and how this intersects with LGBTQ issues.

This was my first event as a member of YAYA. I left with feelings of pride and empowerment. YAYA members worked together seamlessly to execute a successful event and to meet and speak with all guests. All members stepped up and took action where they saw a need, displaying self-initiative and motivation.

The discussion facilitated by YAYA members was very insightful; uncovering the multitude of oppressions experienced together by the LGBTQ and immigrant communities, along with the fundamental flaws in the immigration system and detainment policies of the United States.

The event was a success in spreading community awareness about the issues faced by the undocumented LGBTQ community, an accomplishment made possible by the teamwork and dedication of the members of YAYA, a group to which I am so proud to now belong.”

Emily Helm
Orlando YAYA

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Part 2:

“On Saturday March 24th Orlando YAYA held part 2 of the “Bridging Our Communities”event at The Center. The purpose of the event was to discuss the intersections that affect both the immigrant and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning) communities.

YAYA really wanted to create a dialogue about the injustices that both of these communities face, and tie it back to farmworker rights in many ways: all three of these communities are ignored and exploited and there are people who belong to two or all three of these communities.  Because of this, the importance of working toward solidarity comes to the forefront.

Having the event at The Center, which is Orlando’s LGBT center, seemed like the perfect way to begin the bridging of these communities. New faces were in the audience at both events, and it was great to hear questions from people who were there to listen, to learn something new, and to bring a different perspective to the table. People mingled, ate delicious refreshments, and read over the provided literature – three different packets of terms that would provide folks with a working knowledge of the language that is often used when discussing immigrant and LGBTQ issues.

• Immigration Terms
• LGBTQ terms
• Social Justice Terms

(Many thanks to Nicole Godreau – Orlando YAYA President, Nico Gumbs – Florida YAYA Organizer, and Lariza Garzon, for their hard work on creating these lists of terms)

This event was all about listening to people’s experiences, to tie it back to part 1 of the event. The panel featured Evelyn Rivera, from the Hope Community Center; Abi Ruiz, Oscar Flores and Nicole Godreau, from Orlando YAYA. It was facilitated by Nico Gumbs, YAYA organizer.

The panelists discussed their thoughts on immigration, their experiences either being undocumented or having undocumented family members, coming from an immigrant family, being queer or a queer ally, privilege and how activists can use that privilege to work with these communities, and many other things. The panelists gave brave and insightful tales about their lived experiences and while I can’t speak for everyone else watching the panel, I can say that I learned many things. Given the amount of questions that were asked and comments that were stated by audience members, I think others did too.

Overall, it’s clear that this dialogue is not over. Orlando YAYA will continue to work toward creating a dialogue around these issues, to listen to the voices of those who are being silenced, who are members of both the LGBTQ and immigrant or undocumented community, to sustain this vision of bridging these communities.”

Orlando YAYA

(Many thanks to Julio Salgado for sharing his Undocuqueer prints with us to sell!)

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After a six day fast for fair food, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers led a peaceful procession to the site of the fast at the Publix headquarters in Lakeland, FL.

Orlando YAYA joined in the three-mile march by serving as a human timeline; pairs of YAYAs held up signs illustrating the almost-twenty year history of the CIW and the Campaign for Fair Food. The procession culminated in a breaking-bread ceremony featuring speeches by farmworkers; Kerry Kennedy (President, RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights); Reverend Michael Livingston (current director of the NCC’s Poverty Initiative); and José José (one of the most important Latin American singers of the late 20th century), known as El Príncipe de la Canción (The Prince of Song).

I felt honored to join with many farmworkers and allies in the fight for fair food and the call for socially just working conditions. I think it is important for youth and young adults to participate in farmworker-led campaigns to learn how to work in solidarity with the people who labor for our food, each other, and allies for social, political, and economic justice. I enjoyed seeing people of many backgrounds come together to ask Publix to become part of the solution in ending farmworker exploitation in Florida.

Nena B.
Orlando YAYA

Pictures courtesy of Shelby Radcliffe

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“We did it! We are proud to share a huge victory with you. We’ve just gotten word that Arysta LifeScience has pulled cancer-causing methyl iodide off the U.S. market. This announcement means the end of the use in the U.S., of what scientists have called “one of the most toxic chemicals on earth”.

Thanks to consumers like yourself, through public pressure and supporting litigation when federal and state agencies failed to protect the public, the use of this dangerous poison has been limited.

UFW President Arturo Rodriguez said, “Today farm workers can breathe a little bit easier knowing that the risk of being exposed to methyl iodide will be gone, thanks to the support of thousands of people throughout the country, PANNA and the brave workers who risked their jobs to speak out and say “enough”.

The UFW will stay vigilant to ensure Arysta does not bring the toxic back.

Thank you for all you have done to help. For more information, please visit the UFW website. ”

YAYA would like to congratulate the farm workers, advocates, organizations and supporters who worked so hard to remove this dangerous pesticide from the fields!

Join YAYA and continue fighting the use of these dangerous chemicals. YAYAs participated in this campaign by collecting petitions and speaking at government meetings regarding the dangers of pesticides.

The community garden project aims to provide an opportunity for members of the Orlando community to work with and develop a relationship with members of the Farm Worker Association of Florida in Fellsmere. We do so by creating spaces for open dialogue, story sharing, and an opportunity to exchange skills and knowledge. Join us for a day of education, community building and fun!

On this day we will garden, eat delicious food and even play soccer!

Tentative Schedule:

• 8 am Depart Orlando from NFWM office (4420 Parkway Commerce Blvd, Suite A, Orlando, Fl, 32808)
• 10 am Arrive To Fellsmere
• 10:15 am Welcome, introductions and instructions
• 10:45 am Gardening begins!
• 1:00 pm Lunch (vegetarian options available)/ short soccer game
• 2:00 pm Back to gardening!
• 4:30 pm Debrief
• 5:15 pm Dinner
• 6:00 pm Depart Fellsmere
• 8:00 pm Arrive to Orlando at NFWM Office

• Gardening gloves
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes and clothes (that you don’t mind getting dirty)
• Insect repellent
• Hat

We ask you to bring a suggested donation of $10 for the lunch and dinner that will be provided. (Please specify if you wish to have a Vegetarian/Vegan meal)

We are also seeking gardening tool donations, so if you have any gardening tools (rakes, shovels ect) send them our way!

Carpooling will be provided by YAYA

We look forward to seeing you there!

Contact us for more information

RSVP on Facebook

Viva la Causa focuses on one of the seminal events in the march for human rights – the grape strike and boycott led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in the 1960s.

Viva la Causa shows how thousands of people from across the nation joined in a struggle for justice for the most exploited people in our country – the workers who put food on our tables.

After the film, join us for a conversation with a former farm worker from Apopka and a discussion about social justice, effective protest tactics and the agri-labor system.

When: This Thursday, March 29th. 
Doors open at 5:30 pm

Where: University of Central Florida
Communications Building Room 111

Food and drinks will be provided!

This event is free and open to the public.

For comments or questions contact us.

Join the Pinellas Support Committee of the National Farm Worker Ministry (PSC-NFWM) for their Annual Strawberry Festival

Featuring Special Keynote Speaker, The Reverend Joseph Diaz, Rector, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Advocate for Peace & Justice for 40 years!

Home-made strawberry dessert will be served

When: Saturday, March 24, 6 p.m.

Where: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
3200 North McMullen Booth Rd.
Clearwater, FL 33765

Donations will be accepted on behalf of Farm workers in FL through PSC-NFWM.

For more information and to RSVP contact us!

Photo Credits:
1. http://indianapublicmedia.org
2. http://www.elephantjournal.com

Join YAYA and others to discuss the atrocities of detention centers and the interconnectedness of being a member of the LGBTQ and Immigrant Communities….

March 17: We will be screening “Lost in Detention” followed by a discussion of the injustices that are faced in for-profit detention centers.

March 24: We will be having a panel discussion with members from the Immigrant and LGBTQ community about how their identities affect their lives.

Doors open at 4:30 PM, event starts at 5 PM

The Center
946 N. Mills Avenue
Orlando, Florida, 32803

Refreshments will be provided!!

RSVP on Facebook

When: Sunday, March 25, 2012
9:30am until 4:30pm

Where: 450 Davis Parkway, Florida City, Florida

Tentative Schedule: 

9:30 am Arrive at FWAF Office (450 Davis Parkway, Florida City)

9:45 am Introductions (YAYA and FWAF)

10:30 am Start painting the office

12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm Painting the office

4:00 pm Debrief

4:30 pm Depart Home

Things to Bring:

- Comfortable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting paint on

- Water bottle

- Hat and sunscreen

RSVP on Facebook