Lucy Thames I amA messy mix of assumptions and biases -Learned, unlearned by kin and by society,I am a constant state of growing and challenging:Myself, my sphere, the powers that be. I haveTwo hands to hold another or write a letter,Two ears to listen deep before I speak;Two feet to march or dance or walk... [Read more]
A fierce advocate
Rachel Wright Junio Who am I? I’m a lot of things. Most notably, I’m a mother, a wife, an educator, an advocate, and an aspiring salsera. I come from a small town in East Tennessee where our claim to fame is the first impeached President, Andrew Johnson. I come from a family of farmers on... [Read more]
An extremely proud older sister
Selena Ibarra I am Selena Ibarra, first-generation daughter to migrant farmworkers and eldest of 11 children. I was born in Pendleton, Oregon where my parents first migrated from Mexico to pursue the American Dream. A dream that would prove to come with great strife for my family as we struggled with poverty and language barriers.... [Read more]
Establishing New Pathways
Tyshenna Phillips This past year was one of the most unpredictable and uncomfortable time periods in my life. I was well into my last year of college when our everyday lives and routines were drastically shifted due to the pandemic. Despite having to rapidly adapt to the changes occurring, I was able to complete my... [Read more]
Creating Connection in a Pandemic
Evelyn Archer-Taminger In all my conversations with fellow seminary students, clergy, and many nonprofit workers, the same anxiety is represented again and again: How do we create/maintain community through a screen? In a time in which we cannot see or touch each other, how do we connect? The engagement I have seen through working with... [Read more]
My Typical Day
America Juarez-Maldonado My typical day at SAF always starts my morning with ease. Every time I start my work or have SAF team meetings I get excited to see some of my mentees and other SOL interns. I open my laptop to start the day, and start planning or message the Levante students that I... [Read more]
A Sense of Normalcy
Tyme Nunn As we all know, working during the COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing short of life-changing and strange. My pre-COVID workspace is now confined to the four walls of my on-campus apartment. It is safe to say that nowadays, the word “normal” seems loaded. Like many others, the act of navigating life during COVID... [Read more]
Shedding Light on my Family History
Omar Alejandro Ibarra I went on my annual trip to Mexico this past December with my family. This time it was an entirely different experience as the matriarch of my big family, my abuelita, passed away from COVID-19 in late 2020. It was difficult to be cheery like we usually were around Christmas, but we... [Read more]
What does it mean to you to be an essential worker?
Roberto, NC Farmworker, 2020 During the pandemic, we’ve worked and contributed with our labor in farm work. As essential workers, we’ve also been worried since we’re also vulnerable because of the pandemic… we keep working, trusting God and helping with our labor in this country. Many of the people in this country know how important... [Read more]
What do you need to feel safe and be safe?
Roberto, NC Farmworker, 2020 Being in this country that is very different than mine… it’s like a strange country since there’s a different language, a different culture… there are organizations that help me feel safer—such as Vecinos. Vecinos has been here to help with medicine, doctors’ appointments, translations, and even more so during this global... [Read more]
What do you think about when you’re at work?
Roberto, NC Farmworker, 2020 I mainly think of God each day, for many reasons… I’ll mention a few: Thanks to Him I have food on my table; work hasn’t let me down, despite the current situation; my family is safe and I’m in touch with them; and I’m healthy to keep working in this country…... [Read more]
A big reason I joined SAF
Rafael Vasquez Hey, my name is Rafael Vasquez and I am from North Carolina. My mom is from Mexico and came here before I was born. My mom has been working in the fields for a long time and I want to change that. A big reason I joined SAF was to learn how to... [Read more]