Standing in Solidarity with Farmworker Families: A Day of Service, Learning, and Connection
MIMS students at Center for Farmworker Families in Watsonville
On Friday, March 14, 2025, students from the Master’s in Migration Studies (MIMS) program at the University of San Francisco had the profound privilege of volunteering with the Center for Farmworker Families in Watsonville, California. The day was a humbling reminder of the power of collective care, community resilience, and the ongoing fight for justice in the fields that nourish our nation.
Our group assisted in setting up and distributing food pantry items, hygiene products, and other essential supplies to farmworker families. While this act may seem small, it was an important gesture of solidarity with those who labor tirelessly, often underpaid and overlooked, to feed communities across the country.
We were deeply honored to be joined by Professor Bill Ong Hing, renowned immigration attorney and faculty member at USF’s School of Law and the Migration Studies program. Professor Hing generously offered free legal consultations to farmworkers facing complex and often daunting immigration challenges. His compassionate guidance provided a lifeline to those navigating systems that too often leave them in limbo. Witnessing his work firsthand reminded us of the critical role legal advocacy plays in the broader struggle for migrant justice.
After a full afternoon of distribution and consultations, we were warmly welcomed into a shared meal with Ernestina, Jorge, and Dr. Ann López (Executive Director of the center), the passionate founder and director of the Center for Farmworker Families. Their stories moved us deeply—stories of hardship, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to defending the rights and dignity of farmworkers. Dr. López’s decades of advocacy and grassroots organizing are not only transformative but also a beacon for those of us preparing to walk similar paths.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Center for Farmworker Families for opening your space to us, for sharing your stories, and for allowing us to walk beside you, even if just for a day. Your work is a testament to what community empowerment truly looks like. We leave inspired, grounded, and more committed than ever to advancing migrant justice in all its forms.
MIMS students at the Center for Farmworker Families
MIMS at Center for Farmworker Families
MIMS students and Faculty at Center for Farmworker Families
Dr. Ann López (Executive Director for the Center for Farmworker Families) sharing her journey with us.
Ernestina, sharing her lived experiences with the center with us
MIMS students distributing clothing at Center for Farmworker Families
MIMS students meeting with MIMS alumni
MIMS students after lunch