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What is the Witness for Justice Program?
The Farmworker Unit’s Witness for Justice program introduces students and
members of the community to migrant farm workers who live in isolated
labor camps around
North Carolina
and lack contact with the larger population. The Farmworker Unit modeled
WFJ after Witness for Peace, a US-Latin American immersion and advocacy
program. Similarly, our volunteers bear witness to unjust and dangerous
living and employment conditions that marginalize hard-working men and
women. 
Our staff invites volunteers to accompany legal outreach and visit migrant
labor camps during evenings of the growing season. We hope that through
this experience, volunteers will affirm the rights of farmworkers and gain
a better understanding of socio-economic issues impacting farmworkers and
immigrants. WFJ volunteers are encouraged to take follow-up action on
behalf of farm workers, as well as educate their personal communities
about farm worker injustice in North Carolina.
Volunteer details and frequently asked questions:
Why does the Farmworker Unit go on outreach?:
Migrant
farm workers live in isolated labor camps of their employers, and lack
access to transportation, telephone, health and legal providers, and other
necessities. Workers do not readily encounter information about their
employment rights and health hazards, such as exposure to the use of
pesticides. Therefore, we discuss and distribute information to workers,
as well as provide our contact information for further consultation or
legal action.
What will I
do as a volunteer?:
Volunteers accompany two
Farmworker Unit staff members in our agency’s vehicle. At the camps
volunteers take notes on labor camp demographics, take pictures, hand out
brochures, and interact with workers. Volunteers are encouraged to ask
questions and discuss observations with our staff.
Do I have
to know Spanish?:
Spanish is helpful but
not required. Our staff can translate dialogue with workers. Although
the majority of workers we visit speak Spanish, we also visit workers
whose first language is English. On occasion, we visit workers who
do not speak English or Spanish.
When will I go on
outreach?:
Volunteers
schedule visits Monday-Thursday evenings, during the peak growing season
in North Carolina, June-October. Volunteers meet at the Legal Aid office
in downtown Raleigh at
5:30pm. Outreach lasts a few hours, returning to
the Legal Aid office around
9-10pm. Ideally we ask that volunteers commit two evenings a month.
What if
something comes up and I cannot go on outreach that evening? :
Please
notify the volunteer coordinator at least 24 hours in advance.
Where will
I go on outreach?:
We
usually travel 1-2 hours outside of Raleigh.
Each
evening we generally try to visit 3-4 camps in the surrounding counties.
Can I bring
a friend with me?:
Yes,
but you must schedule friends in advance because we can only take two
volunteers per evening.
What should
I wear and bring on outreach?:
Dress
casually and conservatively. Long-pants, closed-toed shoes, and bug spray
are appropriate for rural areas. You may bring cameras, only to take
pictures with the permission of the workers.
How do I become
a volunteer and schedule outreach?: Send an email to
Melissa Furlong the Witness for Justice Coordinator or contact us by phone (919)
856-2180.
Witness
for
Justice
Coordinator
Farmworker
Unit
Legal
Aid
of
North
Carolina
224
South
Dawson
St.
Raleigh,
NC
27611
Tel.
(919)
856-2180
Orientation sessions are held at the beginning of the season for new and returning volunteers. The sessions will cover the dynamics of outreach as well as an
overview of farmworker legal issues. In addition, you will receive an informational packet.
Witness for Justice 2007
Important Dates:
Orientation--Tuesday, June 5 at 5:30 p.m.
First Day of Outreach--June 18
If you would like to be a Witness for Justice Volunteer during the 2007
season, then please contact Elyse Rohrer, our Witness for Justice
Coordinator at Melissa Furlong
or (919) 856-2180.
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