These young Latino professionals organizers provide South Jersey farmworkers ‘a voice to help them out of the – The Philadelphia Inquirer

The group of seven young professionals from South Jersey learned about their common interests on Facebook. They were the sons and daughters of migrant workers, most had worked the fields themselves as children. They shared media reports about the “appreciation caravans” that took place across California’s agricultural communities in late April. Then one had a suggestion: Why not start an effort similar to the West Coast?

That’s how these leaders, ages 19 to 29, from the Vineland-Bridgeton-Millville area, organized to help and highlight the work that migrant workers do and the risks they face while harvesting South Jersey’s crops amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

So far, the group, which has a Facebook presence but no formal name, has held an 18-vehicle caravan, delivered meals and food supplies, and created a stimulus relief fund that has already provided money to 43 transient and non-transient laborers who help farm lettuce, cabbage, and cilantro.

The group’s purpose with the South Jersey migrant workers? Its members say they are “the voice that helps them out of the shadows.”

Marco Cruz, 27, a real estate investor, is one of the organizers. His brother-in-law is a farmworker . As children, he said, he and other group members were responsible for translating for their parents and other farm workers in their daily activities. They also worked alongside them in the fields for 12-14 hour shifts. Now, they want to provide advocacy and support, to demonstrate how essential these workers are.

“As kids, we used to be shy when translating for the adults,” Cruz said. “Now, as young adults, we want to continue to be their voice, especially in this moment when their safety depends on it.”