RCAC Home Page > News and Publications > Housing/Health News >

RCAC’s Farm Worker Fund comes to a close

Originally printed in RCAC’s Seeds, Fall 2008/Winter 2009, Volume 6, Issue 3

In 2004, RCAC embarked on its first direct mail fundraising efforts to directly assist farm workers achieve their visions and improve their lives. RCAC offers a myriad of programs and services and added the Farm Worker Fund (FWF) to its priorities. RCAC has been assisting farm workers in various capacities since its inception in 1978. Farm worker needs however, remain great. RCAC started the fund to expand its efforts to increase housing, health and educational opportunities for farm workers living in the rural West. The last round of awards was made in 2007 and the Farm Worker Fund has now come to a close.

Many farm worker communities and projects benefited from the fund. For example, in 2005, the FWF awarded its first grants. Five projects in four states were chosen. In 2007, seven farm worker organizations received FWF grants. The Archdiocesan Housing Authority in Mt. Vernon, Washington, received a grant to help defray costs to purchase art and educational supplies, and healthy snacks.

Glenn County Human Resources Agency in Hamilton City, California, received a grant to support an empowerment and community development project for local farm workers. Through this project, farm worker parent volunteers led workshops on health awareness, self-advocacy skills, mental health and housing resources.

Hacienda Community Development Corporation (CDC) in Molalla, Oregon, was funded to engage residents in personal and community advocacy through development of a resident council at the Plaza Los Robles housing site.

La Posada Ministry in Twin Falls, Idaho, was funded to help provide much-needed services to farm workers in the south-central Idaho area. La Posada Ministry is the only low-income tax clinic in the area as well as the only place that offers affordable immigration services.

RCAC leadership felt it was important to award 100 percent of the money raised through the fund directly to farm worker communities and their top projects. Nevertheless, necessary and unavoidable administrative costs and materials, such as time to develop letters, testimonials and send request documents to potential donors require financing. So, RCAC worked to secure other resources to promote and manage the fund.

Studies show that developing a successful direct mail program takes several years and generally a hefty investment at the outset, which may take many years to recoup. Ultimately, RCAC did not have the resources to sustain the fund.

Back to Top

Back to Network News ...