Migrant Services

Much of Albemarle county is rural and agricultural and several initiatives have been developed to serve Latinos who work on farms, orchards, and vineyards.

ALBEMARLE REGIONAL MIGRANT EDUCATION

This program provides quality academic support services and advocacy to migrant students and out of school migrant youth – between ages 3 and 21 in the central Virginia region. The purpose of these services is to enable migrant students to learn English, reach challenging state academic goals, receive a high school diploma or GED, continue postsecondary education, and improve employment opportunities. The Migrant Education staff work in schools, homes, and migrant camps to aid the students and young adults in achieving their educational goals. Bilingual contacts include Migrant Advocates Paula Mehring, 434/295-7936 or pmehring@nexet.net ; and Laura Brown, 434/296-3872, Ext. 3 or lbrown2@k12albemarle.org Its website is http://schoolcenter.k12albemarle.org/education/dept/dept.php?sectiondetailid=18317

IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY PROGRAM

Among its services, this Legal Aid Justice Center program helps migrant farmworkers, day laborers and other low-wage immigrant workers by preparing and distributing educational materials and visiting areas where workers gather, work and live to counsel them about their legal rights; helping them to recover unpaid wages. Contact Tim Freilich at tim@justice4all.org and visit its webpage at http://www.justice4all.org/our_programs/vjc

MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARMWORKERS ADVISORY BOARD

Lou Hart is a member of this VEC body. Virginia has both a Governor’s Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Advisory Board and an Interagency Migrant Worker Policy Committee, and VEC provides staff support to both, with the Commissioner serving as Committee Chair. In concert with the Board, the Committee reviews, coordinates, evaluates and addresses issues regarding migrant and seasonal farmworkers who help tend Virginia’s crops each year. Contact Lou at 434/295-7682 or louwhart@aol.com

RURAL HEALTH OUTREACH MOBILE CLINIC

The RHOP Mobile Clinic provides bilingual medical services from checkups, pap smears, blood work, to referrals. It is currently operating only in migrant camps. For more information, contact Jan Wolfe at 434/263-4858, 434/409-1636, jan@rhop-brmc.org or wlfwmn@gmail.com or visit http://www.brmedical.org/

UVA MADISON HOUSE MIGRANT AID

This program serves Albemarle County and Charlottesville region’s migrant community. Through Homework Helpers, Hispanic Family Night, International Family Night and Adult Tutoring, volunteers tutor migrant workers and their majority Spanish-speaking families in English as a Second Language, general academic skills, and other learning opportunities. Contact Head Program Director Caroline Anaya at cja2h@virginia.edu