Service Learning Proposal

Service Learning Proposal for National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM)

Group members: Carmen T., Amanda M., and Lindsey H.

October 5, 2011

Meredith Tweed

WST 3015-002

Community Partner Profile:

National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM)

 Address: 4420 Parkway Commerce Blvd

               Orlando, FL 32808

 Contact: Lariza Garzon

Community Partner Mission Statement: “Together With Farm Workers Harvesting Justice” (National Farm Worker Ministry).

Political and /or Social Basis for Organization: The National Farm Worker Ministry works to assist local farm workers in their campaigns for their rights.  They work with various groups such as AgJobs, CIW Campaign for Fair Food and others to ensure that farm workers voices are heard.  Many farm workers are afraid to speak up about any abuse they are subject to, their low wages, and any illness they may contract after being exposed to pesticides or other work-related accidents or illnesses.  However, with the assistance of the National Farm Worker Ministry, the workers rights are brought to attention by picketing, educating the public, and organizing boycotts (National Farm Worker Ministry) to ensure justice for America’s farm workers.

The Proposal:

TO: Meredith L. Tweed

FROM: Carmen T., Amanda M., and Lindsey H.

DATE: October 5, 2011

Proposal to Assist with the Creation of a Play for a Service Learning Project

Need for volunteers for the Community Outreach Program: Our group will be working with Allianza de Mujeres Activas Inc. (AMA) through the National Farm Worker Ministry.  AMA’s mission is to “help the Hispanic farm worker community and families of limited income in Central Florida to improve their social problems and health challenges.  In doing so we offer workshops, cultural programs, information and links to organizations that offer assistance (Allianza de Mujeres Activas Inc.).  Currently, AMA is putting together a play to raise awareness about the harm of pesticides, even when one is not working in the field.    AMA has received a grant from the government and has begun working on a script, but they need assistance with finalizing the script in addition to building and painting the set, creating the costumes, and bringing materials that will be used to create the set.  Through this project AMA hopes to reach out to those who are suffering from the adverse side effects of pesticides and they hope to raise awareness to prevent illnesses due to pesticides.

Plan Proposal:

AMA and NFWM have set aside two dates later this month to begin working on the play.  They need volunteers to help with obtaining materials and constructing their set and costumes to raise awareness.  Our group has committed to be there for both dates so we can assist AMA in their creative process to ensure the show reaches out to as many people as it possibly can.

Rationale for Women’s Studies

The plight of women often goes unnoticed to the public and the government.  Women of different ethnicities and races (other than white) are more likely to be ignored by the government and powerful figures because those positions are often Caucasian-dominated.  It is easy for us to turn a blind eye to the undocumented immigrants that are struggling to get by in America and putting themselves at risk just to make a living, because as some Americans like to say, “They’re illegal.”  In Women’s Studies we read in a speech given by Sojourner Truth, “None but Jesus heard me” (Ain’t I a Woman?).  In Women’s Studies we are learning how to give voices to the voiceless, to make sure others hear and DO something to change the lives of the people who are struggling.  We are taught that activism is a good thing and that it can make a world of difference for those that are being ignored.  Allianza de Mujeres Activas Inc. are currently struggling to be heard and acknowledged, and Carmen, Lindsey and I are very excited to take steps to ensure equality and respects are achieved (Fight Like a Girl) for the women of AMA.

Action:

We have already met Ms. Garzon, our contact at NFWM, and set up our dates to work on the play.  Ms. Garzon is contacting us soon with supplies we may need to bring, such as paint for the set or fabric for costumes, and on our two selected days, we will drive out to Seville to meet with AMA and help prepare for the play in whatever way we can.

Timeline:

Our final project (Presentation and Reflection Paper) will be turned in on November 30, 2011.  In addition to the dates listed below we may add in another day to get together and work on our project.

1.     September 28, 2011: We met up with Lariza Garzon, our contact and discussed our project

2.     October 16, 2011: We will go to Seville (AMA’s location) for the first day of building and designing sets and costumes

3.     October 23, 2011: We will go to Seville (AMA’s location) for the second day of building and designing sets and costumes

Work Cited

“AMA: Allianza de Mujeres Activas Inc.”  Allianza de Mujeres Activas Inc. pamphlet.  2011.

Kirk, Gwyn and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. Fifth ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

"National Farm Worker Ministry."  The National Farm Worker Ministry website. 3 October 2011. http://nfwm.org/

Seely, Megan.  Fight Like a Girl.  New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.

Word Count: 880