enFAMILIA on Righteous Crowd this Week!
Students in the after school program in the Redlands farm workers camp, Homestead, Florida
enFAMILIA
Empowering Migrant Farm Workers and their Families
We read this week in Vayetze that "Jacob took leave of Be’er Sheva and set out for Haran." We learn about Jacob as a migrant worker in this Torah portion. Jacob’s uncle, Lavan, takes advantage of Jacob by making him work seven years to marry his daughter, Rachel, and then another seven after tricking him into marrying his other daughter, Leah. Jacob’s experiences inspired Righteous Crowd to support enFAMILIA which helps improve and preserve family life for a large population of migrant farm workers and low-income families living in Deep South Miami-Dade County.
Read our interview below with Founders and Directors Carlos E. Salgado & Rocio Tafur-Salgado.
What inspired you to start enFAMILIA?
Both of us came in the late 60's to the United States. We received Educational Opportunity Funds and were able to pursue college degrees. During seven summers in the 80’s, we participated in missionary work with farm workers in Mexico and Colombia. We wanted to help families stop the cycle of violence and child abuse. Rocio (Mental Health Counselor) and Carlos (Artist and Educator) combined our careers to start the work at enFAMILIA. We both learned the importance of healing and processing the pain through the arts.
What’s a story about enFAMILIA that is meaningful to you?
Jorge De Jesus began with us as a camper in Art in Action summer camp in 2011, and has been with us ever since. Throughout the years, he and his family have received services such as therapy and parenting/couples sessions. Jorge De Jesus has been a Student Advocate, Group Leader Coordinator, dance teacher, and has assisted in countless enFAMILIA programs. He is an excellent employee and mentor to our youth, currently pursuing a degree in social work at the Florida International University, and he is an excellent role model.
What's the best part of your job and why?
The best part of our job is to get to know families, share time with them and offer the The best part of our job is to get to know families, share time with them and offer the possibility of solutions to their needs. Also, engaging families and seeing their growth, eagerness to learn and becoming responsible citizens and good role models for the next generation has been so rewarding.
What has surprised you about enFAMILIA?
a) The importance of partnerships and being able to deliver quality services to the families.
b) Being accountable to the donors, the IRS and being open minded to be able to meet the community needs.
c) The community has been eager to learn.
d) Young people that started working with enFAMILIA changed their career choice to education after spending time with the children and families.
e) The impact of good treatment and respect for each other that has lead to build relationships with the families in the community.
What are some non-monetary ways for others to get involved in elFAMILIA?
Volunteering, donatiing goods, community hours services for the after school, parents coaching parents and providing venues for events are all ways to help.
To learn more about enFAMILIA click here.