Immersion Program
Interfaith Action can host a group from your congregation for an Immersion Program with the Immokalee farmworker community. Please contact us to discuss dates and times that would work well for your group. An Immersion Program can vary depending on your group's interest and length of visit, but typically include:
* An opportunity to hear from farmworkers about a typical day working in the fields, life as a farmworker, and their efforts to address the abuses they face
* A discussion about the CIW´s award-winning efforts investigating and helping to prosecute six modern-day slavery cases since 1997, resulting in the liberation of more than 1,000 persons
* A tour of the CIW´s new Community Center, including the food cooperative, community media center, and "Radio Conciencia"- a community radio station featuring music, news, and educational programming in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and several Mayan languages
* A walking tour of Immokalee; stops include the parking lot where tomato pickers seek work every morning & trailer camps where many farmworkers live
* An opportunity to discuss the Campaign for Fair Food, including the impact of agreements with retail food companies, as well as current and future plans and how you can be involved
* A group reflection about the role of people of faith in partnering with farmworkers to transform our food system to reflect the inherent worth and dignity of all human beings and concrete steps people can take when they return to their congregations to advance justice in the fields
Educational and action materials, including a DVD, will also be available for participants to take back to their community.
There are a number of local options for lunch, or if desired, an authentic Mexican meal can be arranged for $6-8 a plate, depending on group size, prepared by CIW member Veronica Ramirez.
Due to the time and effort required to coordinate the tour, donations are greatly appreciated; but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
For more information, contact us at info@interfaithact.org. You can also call Jordan Buckley at (239)986-9101 or Brigitte Gynther at (239)986-0688.
