AmeriCorps’ Students in Service Internship – Rural and Migrant MinistryMegan R. Van Dorp

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Introduction to Rural and Migrant Ministry (RMM)

Since 1981 Rural & Migrant Ministry, has existed as a statewide, non-profit organization, with the purpose of serving the rural and migrant communities throughout New York.

Mission Statement:

Rural & Migrant Ministry works for the creation of a just rural New York State through: •Nurturing leadership•Standing with the disenfranchised, especially farm workers and rural workers•Changing unjust systems and structures

RMM implements its mission through three program areas: •ACCOMPANIMENT - RMM supports and stands with farmworkers as they seek to improve their living and working conditions in New York.•EDUCATION - RMM raises leadership skills and awareness of opportunities and issues.•YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM - RMM works with rural, migrant and immigrant youth.

They are located throughout New York with offices in Dutchess, Sullivan, Monroe, Wayne, Albany and Tompkins counties.

The SpecificsI became interested in this internship, because I am from a dairy farming family.

I was born and raised in Wayne County, and have seen the struggle between farm workers and farm owners, first hand. I know how difficult it is to maintain a small, family farm, but I also believe that everyone should have equal rights, especially when you are a farmer-the hardest job there is, in my opinion. In high school, I was friends with many of the migrant workers’ children, and I actually traveled back to Mexico with them. I have always been interested in learning more about migrant farm workers and changing the unjust system.

My internship took place at the Liturgia Rural Workers Education Center in Lyons, NY.  As an intern, my overall goal was to help implement the programs of the Center with farm workers, RMM staff, two other interns, and a law student. Work took place at the Center, as well as in farm camps throughout the region. In addition, we worked closely with allies in the student, faith, and labor communities.  As an intern, I was responsible for the following: outreach in the farm camps, helping to plan and implement a summer camp for middle school students, tutoring in a English as a second language survival program, lots of cooking, driving, and cleaning. My primary responsibility was developing an English as a second language curriculum that RMM could implement for years to come.

AccompanimentOn June 14th, I spent the day in Albany, New York petitioning for the Farm

Workers Fair Labor Practices Act, which provides farm workers with equal rights and protection under federal labor laws. Currently, farm workers are excluded from the right to collectively bargain, collect overtime pay, and have a day of rest. This legislation also proposes to create a standard for farm worker housing, a sanitary code, and equalized coverage for unemployment insurance for farm workers. The last part of this bill proposes an amendment to the Workers Compensation Law which states that farm workers are excluded from state disability coverage.

We left at 6am for a exciting day rallying in Albany. There were approximately ten farm workers and 55+ allies. The farm workers shared moving testimonies for the senators, which I had the honor of translating. We were permitted to sit in on a session in the Senate, which was very informative and interesting. The senators acknowledged us through the microphone, and we had our photos taken with some of our allied senators.

Education

Each intern had a specific assignment to work on over the summer, and my project was developing an English as a second language survival curriculum. I worked with PathStone and Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County, as well as the developers of the premiere English literacy program in New York City. The curriculum I developed focuses on key grammar and vocabulary pertaining to grocery shopping, cashing checks, driving, using a telephone, and more. The 100+ page curriculum that I developed will be implemented beginning in August 2011 for seasonal farm workers.

Youth Empowerment

During the last week of July and the first week of August, I had my hands full working with 18 migrant youth at RMM’s summer day camp. The day camp was developed with the understanding that migrant children do not have the same advantages as other children. Primarily, they have adult responsibilities, like watching children and keeping an eye out for the Border Patrol, and also, their parents cannot afford the $250+ dollars per week to attend similar camps.

The camp was very successful. We had nearly full attendance everyday and even better participation. We took two field trips: one to the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Museum and one to Sodus Point for a field day and swimming. I taught a class on public speaking, which consisted of a lot of heated debates, skits, and more. The camp was a very enriching experience for me, and the children grew so much by being given an opportunity like this one.

Megan Van Dorp (WS’13) and Sharon, a student at the day camp

Megan Van Dorp (WS ‘13) and Timothy Carter (H ‘12) at the state capitol in Albany, New York

Youth Summer Leadership Program – A day camp for migrant youth

Acknowledgements and ConclusionsI would like to thank everyone who played a part in giving me this opportunity. Thank you to Jackie Doyle in HWS’ Career Services Center for telling about the internship. Thank you to Jeremy Wattles and Tim Carter for organizing the Alternative Spring Break Trip that first got me involved with RMM. Thank you to Katie Flowers for applying for and getting the Students in Service Program on the HWS campus. I’d like to thank Susana Renteria and Tim Carter for being good coworkers and supporting me throughout the summer. Finally, I’d like to thank my bosses Richard Witt, Rolfi Elivo, and the RMM staff for their constructive criticism and support throughout my internship.