ALAS: Healing a Community in Pain By Deepesh Das Shrestha, MIMS Cohort 9

The sky above is adorned with vibrant papel picado, their intricate patterns fluttering gently in the wind. Beneath them, a stunning wall of art tells a story of people whose smiles radiate joy, resilience, and indomitable spirit. Children playing musical instruments beam with happiness, dancers twirl in colourful skirts, farm workers gather in unity, and traditions come alive in the painted strokes.

At first glance, this breathtaking mural is a celebration of life, culture, community, and perseverance. But beneath the surface, it tells a deeper story, one that echoes the tireless work of Ayudando Latinos A Sonar (ALAS), the nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the farm worker community in Half Moon Bay.

The farm workers, many of them Latinx youth and families, have long faced hardship. Their hands that sow and harvest crops and vegetables help put food on our tables, yet they often live in fear of displacement and deportation. The community has been tested repeatedly, and ALAS has always stood as a backbone for the farm worker community.

In January 2023, a devastating mass shooting shook the small agricultural town, leaving farm worker families grieving. At least seven people lost their lives in one of the deadliest shootings in San Mateo County’s history. The tragic incident not only shook the community to the core but also revealed the horrific living conditions of the migrant workers. ALAS responded with immediate mental health support, counselling, and community healing efforts. They provided safe spaces for those affected, ensuring no one had to suffer in silence.

The 40 farm workers who survived the shooting were quickly placed in hotels, Airbnb homes, and temporary housing with financial support from the county. ALAS also grabbed this momentum to galvanize efforts to advocate for affordable housing for farm workers in the city.

“There was a lot of pain and trauma. Farm worker families were devalued and were facing enormous challenges to live a decent life,” said Veronica Rodriguez, Director of Development and one of the Founding Board Members of ALAS.

“Our work propelled after building trust and deep connections with those families. We continue to work towards bringing wellness to the community, to bring joy, and to give power to them by making them feel seen and protected.”

One of the farm worker women, who shared her experience, told us that ALAS has helped her come out of the shadows and speak up for their rights.

“For many years, I feared speaking out for my rights. Now I am confident, and I have been leading our community to demand proper housing for us,” said the mother of three, adding that she is now hopeful of having dignified housing under the city’s affordable housing project.

Since 2011, ALAS presence and support have made a huge difference in the lives of farm workers. Whenever there is a need, ALAS stepped in with emergency relief, providing food, clothing, and financial aid to the workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. But their programs are not limited to crisis response.

Over the years, the services have been expanded from food pantry to innovative Equity Bus, bringing vital health resources directly to the fields while tirelessly advocating for dignified housing and educational equity, providing free immigration advice and economic opportunity.

Through counselling, group circles, alongside art and music therapy, they create healing spaces that blend the power of tradition with evidence-based care.

Furthermore, ALAS’s partnerships with Stanford University and the University of San Francisco have allowed them to pioneer world-class mental health support and lead groundbreaking research.

The organization has been instrumental in keeping culture alive through community festivals and equipping farm workers and their children with education opportunities for a brighter future.

The mural just reflects a visual representation of love, joy, and strength that define Half Moon Bay’s farm worker community despite their struggle. “We embody this same spirit, ensuring that while they (farm workers) endure pain, they are not alone,” said Rodriguez. “We are fighting every day to turn pain into hope, fear into security, and hardship into opportunity.”