Connect the Camps - Farmworkers
Due to your amazing generosity, we raised our goal to $25,000! Please check out our video here where we talk more about this decision. Moving forward, we will be fundraising to be able to pay for internet for the next 5 years, and also to possibly install internet at other camps in southeast Michigan.
Check out a story written about the fundraiser in Concentrate .
Stay tuned as we continue to meet our goals!
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Working in partnership with the Southeast Michigan Migrant Resource Council (SEMMRC), Washtenaw Solidarity with Farmworkers (WSF) is working to fundraise enough money to install Internet infrastructure at three migrant camps and to pay the monthly costs of internet services at five migrant camps (the three camps mentioned previously plus two others the SEMMRC has already provided Internet for). We are working with D&P communications for installation and internet.
Farmworkers are an integral part of our food system, with skills and knowledge that uniquely suit them to fill a niche necessary for getting people’s food on the table. Yet they are often denied the respect that should come with their essential role, instead facing indifference and sometimes even mistreatment. These “guest workers” deserve better.
During these complicated times, we have all learned that internet access is fundamental to remaining connected with our support systems. Working hundreds of miles away from their families to provide food for our tables, we believe that farmworkers should have access to this fundamental service as well.
Why do we need $12,125?
Installations at 3 camps: $9,300
1. $400: Installations at camp 1
2. $400: Installations at camp 2
3. $8500: Installation at camp 3
Paying for internet service at 5 camps for 7 months: $2825
$404 a month for all 5 camps, totaling $2,825 for the 7 month growing season.
total: $12,125
This will result in supplying approximately 300-350 migrant workers with the means to:
Have contact with their family members!
Take advantage of telehealth appointments for health, prescriptions
Participate in online training
Improve English language skills
And other important opportunities
Washtenaw Solidarity with Farmworkers (WSF) is a group based in Washtenaw County which acts in support of farmworkers in Michigan, provides resources where possible, and educates interested parties about the farmworker community, both historically and present day. WSF came together to organize in support of the national Coalition of Immokalee Worker campaigns and has since expanded to support organizing local farmworker initiatives in Southeast Michigan.
FAQ
Which year will this be for?
We will start with fundraising for 2021, with the hopes of being able to sustain internet services in the seasons following.
Which company is providing the internet service?
Dearfield and Petersburg (D&P Communications, Lenawee and Monroe Counties)
What counties will be included?
Monroe and Lenawee
What happens if we fundraise excess money?
We will put money toward other farmworker support initiatives. It will also be put toward 2022 internet costs.
If you want to reach out to us, please contact:
[email redacted]
www.wsolidaritywfarmworkers.org
twitter: @washFairFood
FB: @washsolidaritywfarmworkers
instagram: @washsolidaritywfarmworkers
The Mutual Aid Network of Ypsilanti is our fiscal sponsor for this project.
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En colaboración con el Southeast Michigan Migrant Resource Council (SEMMRC), Washetenaw Solidarity with Farmworkers está recaudando fondos para instalar la infraestructura necesaria para proveer Internet en tres campos de migrantes en Michigan y pagar los gastos mensuales de los servicios en cinco campos (los tres que hemos mencionado además de los dos que el SEMMRC ya ha pagado).
Los trabajadores de los campos migrantes son una parte integral de la agricultura, con habilidades y conocimientos únicos que son necesarios para poner la comida en la mesa de la gente. Aunque su trabajo es fundamental, muchas veces los agricultores son rechazados y enfrentan indiferencia y maltrato. No se les da el respeto que merecen por cumplir con esta labor tan esencial. Estos “guest workers” merecen un mejor trato.
En estos tiempos complicados, hemos aprendido que el acceso al Internet es clave para conectar con nuestros seres queridos. Al trabajar a cientos de kilómetros de sus familias para producir la comida que nosotros comemos, creemos que los trabajadores agrícolas también deben tener acceso a este servicio que es fundamental.
¿Por qué necesitamos $12,125?
Instalaciones en los 3 campos: $9,300
$400: Instalación en campo 1
$400: Instalación en campo 2
$8500: Instalación en campo 3
El costo del servicio de internet en 5 campos por 7 meses: $2825
$404 cada mes por todos los campos, en total $2,825 por la temporada de cultivo
En total: $12,125
Este recaudación de fondos generará que entre 300-350 trabajadores migrantes puedan:
Tener contacto con sus familiares
Hacer citas virtuales médicas y prescripciones.
Participar en entrenamientos en línea
Mejorar su inglés
Y otras oportunidades importantes
Washtenaw Solidarity with Farmworkers (WSF) es un grupo del condado Washtenaw que apoya a los trabajadores agrícolas en Michigan, les provee recursos cuando les es posible, y ha educado a las organizaciones interesadas en los temas tanto del pasado como del presente de las comunidades de agricultores. WSF se unió para organizar y apoyar la campaña de la coalición de trabajadores de Immokalee y se ha expandido para apoyar a las iniciativas locales en Southeast Michigan.
¿En qué año se realizará este proyecto?
Empezaremos a recaudar fondos para el año 2021, con la esperanza de mantener el servicio de internet en las siguientes temporadas.
¿Qué compañía va a proveer el internet?
Dearfield and Petersburg (D&P Communications, Lenawee and Monroe Counties)
¿Qué condados serán beneficiados?
Monroe y Lenawee
¿Qué pasaría si recaudamos más fondos que los necesitados?
Usaremos el dinero para otras iniciativas de los agricultores. También se guardaría para los costos de internet del año 2022.