The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately impacting farmworkers and magnifying the systemic issues that have historically oppressed those that work in the fields and food processing plants.
SAF is responding to the pandemic by:
- Supporting Farmworkers: We're sharing information and resources about COVID-19 with farmworkers through our Conéctate Carolina app and social media. We have established a Farmworker Emergency Fund for SAF alumni and student-participants from farmworker families that have an unmet need due to COVID. So far we have given out $83,700 in four rounds of funding with another round coming in the spring of 2021. Into the Fields interns reached 1700 farmworkers and their families this summer through distanced or tele-outreach, providing health, legal and educational services and distributing 6000 face masks to workers.
- Supporting Students: SAF Solidaridad interns are working from home monitoring policy recommendations, mentoring migrant youth, creating communication materials, and reaching out to church partners. Levante Leadership Institute youth are meeting weekly through video calls and we're supporting Levante families with access to food, computers, and other resources in their community.
- Advocacy Work: We're working with national partners and the NC Farmworker Advocacy Network (FAN) to advocate for workplace protections for farmworkers, access to care, and housing to quarantine if necessary.
Take Action:
+ Contribute to the Farmworkers COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund which provides support for SAF’s emergency fund for SAF alumni and students from farmworker families that have an unmet need due to COVID.
+ Call on NC state leaders to take immediate action to protect workers who put their lives on the line.