Action Circle for Farm Workers Justice grew out and is supported by a grassroots women's movement called Gather the Women of South Florida that was initiated by Episcopal women. The first gathering was held last year at St. Monica's Episcopal Church where this Action Circle and others were started. Using self-organizing principles that match passion to actions, the Farm Worker Justice Action Circle was formed to: raise money for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' (CIW) community center project, educate Episcopalians and other people of faith on farm worker issues, and to build bridges between the often disparate farm worker community in Immokalee and the wealthy Gulf coast communities just miles away.
The Circle has met twice a month for the past year, making significant strides in this short time. The Circle organized a “Blue Jean Gala and Silent Auction," which raised funds for the CIW farm worker community center and also provided a unique opportunity for people from the farm worker and the surrounding communities to get to know one another, dance, and eat together. The Circle has also helped organize several CIW farm worker presentations in Episcopal churches and other faith communities throughout Southwest Florida, during which farm workers have shared about the sub-poverty wages and inhumane working conditions they endure and how people of faith can partner with them to work for justice and dignity in Florida's fields.
In the coming season, the Circle plans on creating a church-based Farm Workers' Produce Market, where fresh, local produce will be sold by farm workers from Immokalee at churches throughout SW Florida. The proceeds of the market will go to the CIW community center.
Contact Sarah Osmer at sarah@interfaithact.org or 239-986-9101 for more information. To learn more about CIW, go to www.ciw-online.org.
