NEWS

Alcoholism can be a difficult problem for workers who are far from home, in a strange and often hostile environment, and with little work. On February 22, 2016, CoFiA member Anali King spoke to the lunch guests and offered practical tips for how to deal with the problem. Anali is a long-time member of CoFiA and is now completing her nursing studies. She is doing a project on alcoholism in immigrant populations and brought an excellent brochure she has prepared, in Spanish and English, that summarizes the points she made in the presentation. Since she is bilingual and very familiar with the culture of Guatemala, having lived there for nine years, she was able to connect very directly with the workers.

Thank you, Anali! We look forward to another presentation on March 7, and to continuing to work together in the future.

CoFiA was delighted to offer free OSHA training on Saturdays, February 13 and February 20, 2016. Organized by staff member Sayda Tuanama, participants responded enthusiastically to the leadership of Jose Torralaba, a certified trainer provided by Wind of the Spirit. Thanks, Jose, and thanks, Sayda, for all your work.

And congratulations to the graduates! The OSHA certificates are issued by the U.S. government and provide clear evidence to potential employers that the worker has been trained properly in the job to be done. They also make it easier for workers who are hurt on the job or not paid appropriately to register a valid claim.

A number of workers have been homeless during this bitter winter. When there is little regular work, it is not possible for them to save enough during the warm months to pay rent when work disappears. Unfortunately, too often alcohol may seem the only recourse.

On Monday, February 22, the Program Director and a staff member of the PATH PROGRAM visited our lunch program. PATH (Project for Assistance in Transition from Homeless) is an outreach-based case management program serving mentally ill homeless in Bergen County. The program links homeless people with services, and provides transportation to appointments.

Day workers have an extremely hard time finding help. Our social services coordinator, Angelica, met with Candida and Linda, and was able to introduce some of the workers to them privately. CoFiA hopes to develop a plan with programs like PATH so that the terrible experiences of this winter will be avoided in the future. Although many Leonians responded generously to our call for donations of blankets and sleeping bags, we all know this is a risky solution to the need when the temperature falls to zero. And we also know that conditions must be truly disastrous in their home countries when people prefer to take their chances here than to stay there.

Thanks so much to Candida and Linda for your visit!

Many immigrants are living in fear of raids being carried out by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).  Attorney Alex Goncalves-Pena from the American Friends Service Committee recently spoke to the workers at one of the Monday lunches about what rights we all have if ICE or the police come to the door.

In the photo Alex is leading a role play with lunch guests on how to respond if there is that dreaded knock on the door late at night or early in the morning.  She warned that it may not be clear who the agents are; sometimes they say “police”and may be dressed like police and even pretend to be police when someone comes to the door. They may knock loudly, use force or intimidation to enter the home, show their weapons, and even return multiple times to intimidate the residents.

Alex advised the lunch guests to stay calm and polite, tell the truth, ask the officers for ID and where they work, and ask them to slip a warrant under the door. If they do not have a warrant the person does not have to open the door.

Raids are said to be carried out at homes, places of business, at bus stops, or on the street.  People who feel at risk of such raids need to be prepared with plans, such as knowing contact information for lawyers, people to take care of children, and having all necessary documents in one accessible place.

If a person sees someone being arrested, it is ok to call CoFiA to ask for help.  201-598-2253.

English language notes on the session provided by Effie Giraldo.  Thanks!

 

 

 

CoFiA is honored to be one of the organizations included as recipients of funds raised at this special evening on March 12, 2016, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Leonia Methodist Church.  The Church is a long-time friend of CoFiA, donating both money and the talents and commitments of members who volunteer with us.  For more information contact the church at 201-944-2970.

Because we have been invited to participate in the Community Chest Agency Night on March 3, our regular Board meeting night, we will be meeting at Carolyn’s on March 10, at 7:30.  Please note the change of date.

We are pleased to announce that we have received an additional grant from the Community Chest of Leonia.  The Chest has been a consistent and generous supporter of our efforts for many years.  More info later on this year’s grant.

The Palisades Park School District received about 80 new students this fall, many from Central America, overwhelming the English language classes in the schools. CoFiA reached out to the schools, offering to help, and we now have an informal arrangement where students are encouraged to participate in our Tuesday night ESL classes held at the public library.
The numbers of students is growing weekly, and lead teacher Betty DeMarco, a certified ESL teacher with years of experience, has asked for help from some of the other teachers.
We could use more volunteers for this exciting and meaningful assignment. Some competence in Spanish is helpful, especially in working with the beginners.

 

 

 

 

The lunch program continues to offer more to the workers than the hot lunch. Under the leadership of Sayda Tuanama, Norm Smith and others,  information is provided on what rights we have if ICE comes to homes or businesses and threatens to take people away. With the current raids that are being carried out around the country, this information is very important.
Workers are also learning about the importance of being safe at work, and are registering for OSHA training being offered without fees on Saturdays, February 6 and 13, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Palisades Park.
Future programs will feature presentations on healthy living and various resources in the community.

The Guatemalan Consulate  is sending the Mobile Consulate to Fairview on February 20 and 21 to renew passports, issue consular ID cards, and help immigrants with various questions and paper work.  This year appointments will be required, as well as a money order from the post office for $15.  The event will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church at Warren and Anderson Streets.

Stay tuned for more information.

Sayda Tuanama, along with Elias Garcia, Norm Smith, Margaret White and Angelica Martinez, has organized an informative series of programs offered during the free lunch on Mondays.  These programs are especially important this year because of ongoing ICE raids and the anti-immigrant rants of some of the people running for public office.

On Monday, January 11, Brian Lozano of Wind of the Spirit advised the participants of things they can do if confronted by ICE officials–a KNOW YOUR RIGHTS presentation.  On January 18, Angelica Martinez and Norm Smith spoke to the workers about banking and taxes, and Sayda Tuanama began to recruit participants for the upcoming OSHA training program, February 6 and 13 at Grace Church. On January 25, the Monday of the BIG SNOW, Anali King, a nursing student, provided an impromptu presentation on some of the health issues many migrants face.

Monday, February 8, will feature Attorney Alex Goncalves-Pena from the American Friends Service Committee presenting legal issues involved in being confronted by ICE. On February 15, Johanna Calle, program director of the NJ Alliance of Advocates for Immigrant Justice, will share the work of that organization, and invite lunch participants to join in the effort to get municipal IDs, state drivers licenses, stronger wage theft laws, and better police-community relations. The Palisades Park Health Department will do blood pressure screenings on February 22, with Paula Murphy R.N., and Carol Brush, R.N. will discuss with the workers some ways to live a healthier life in the U.S.

More programs are in the planning stages.  For more information or to make suggestions call Sayda Tuanama at 973-930-2798 or email saymarytuanama@yahoo.com.