Celeste Ortega-Felix, 2021 SAF internNC Community Health Care Association I am Celeste. I come from the hibiscus-lined cool concrete houses of Puerto Rico under the fierce heat of the Caribbean sun. I am from the sweet juicy insides of mangoes and quenepas, from late afternoon walks to the beach and the town square. I am... [Read more]
Part of the Foundation for Change
Brandy Fuentes, 2021 SAF internNew Frame LLC “Where are you from?” I hate that question. I hate the question because I don’t know how to answer. Do I start by telling them I was born in Mexico? Or, do I start by telling them that I came to the United States when I was two... [Read more]
Amplifying Voices Outside My Own
Zola Jay, 2021 SAF intern, SC Legal Services Reflected in the computer screen that illuminated the faces of nearly thirty of my peers, was that of myself. Across it were expressions that ranged from excited to nervous to joyful as each fellow SAFista shared their hopes, intentions and the reasons for their participation in this... [Read more]
Finding Fuel For Growth
Sergio Orozco, 2021 SAF Program AssistantStudent Action with Farmworkers In summer 2019 I was selected as one of 25 interns to participate in SAF's Into The Fields internship. I was placed with the Migrant Education Program in Sampson county where I conducted outreach and worked as a teaching assistant for migrant children for a three-week... [Read more]
Where Are You From?
Angel Venegas Alonso, 2021 SAF internGood Samaritan Clinic When asked “where are you from?” I always have to stop and think about it. I never really knew how to explain where I’m from, who I am, and sometimes where I’m going. With time, I managed to realize that the best way to approach these questions... [Read more]
A Call for Change to Happen Now!
America Juarez-Maldonado, SAF Solidaridad intern During my internship as a Solidaridad intern, I witnessed the growth of each student I worked with in the Levante Leadership Institute youth program. There were times where communication was difficult because of internet issues, but each of them has their own story and has so much to offer to... [Read more]
The Big Issue: Creating Systems Change
Tyshenna Phillips, SAF Solidaridad intern During my Solidaridad internship, I have learned that in order to create systems change within any social movement, collaboration across different sectors is essential, whether it is between different races and ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, or career fields. Systems change occurs when we address both the root causes of social inequalities... [Read more]
Farm work is essential
Tyme Nunn, SAF Solidaridad intern I love animals, so picking up knowledge about the livestock industry became a hobby of mine in recent years. I love to work with livestock such as horses, cattle, and goats and have obtained a Master’s of Beef Advocacy certification to learn more about the cattle industry and how to... [Read more]
I have grown as an organizer
Evelyn Archer-Taminger, SAF Solidaridad intern I have learned so much this year working for Student Action with Farmworkers. I look back and am shocked by how much I didn't know about migrant workers, agricultural work, and the food system in America before my time as a Solidaridad intern. Thank you SAF for teaching me about... [Read more]
An Issue I Faced: Interacting through Zoom
Emily Velazquez, SAF Levante Leadership Institute youth member An issue I faced this year was interacting with people through Zoom. Because of Covid, Zoom is the only option to connect now and I feel like it has pushed me back a little because I like to interact and ask questions in person. Zoom has made... [Read more]
The Big Issue: The Fair Food Program
Maria Celeste Carbajal, SAF Levante Leadership Institute youth member The big issue that I learned about this year in Levante was the Fair Food Program from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). The Fair Food Program was designed to help ensure that fast-food franchises work with the CIW to fight against sexual abuse and a higher... [Read more]
The Disparities that Farmworker Children Face
Yuliana Ventura, SAF Levante Leadership Institute youth member One of the big issues that was revealed to me this year through the Levante program was the disparities that farmworker children face throughout North Carolina. I was able to learn about this by working with Wake Forest University School of Medicine on a child labor research... [Read more]