The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) leads the celebration of National Rural Health Day every year on the third Thursday of November. The celebration shines a light on those serving the vital health needs of an estimated 57 million people living in rural communities throughout the United States.
In 2015, NOSORH put out a nationwide call to nominate individuals, organizations and coalitions making a positive impact in rural communities. Soon the stories started coming in and the Community Stars recognition program was born. This year, nominations came in from 48 states, setting a new record.
Migrant Worker Outreach (MWO), representing New Jersey, appears in the 2020 edition of the book of Community Stars, published on the National Rural Health Day website, powerofrural.org.
“MWO was founded in 2010 with the mission of welcoming migrant workers to New Jersey. Usually about six thousand migrant workers arrive for the harvest. We try to reach out to as many of them as we can,” said Dory Dickson, MWO co-founder and director. “As a modest size organization consisting solely of volunteers, we were surprised to be nominated and very pleased to receive this singular honor.”
Roslyn Council, Rural Health Project Officer with the New Jersey Office of Rural Health nominated MWO for the recognition.
“Thanks to Migrant Worker Outreach, those workers who put food on America’s tables are not alone,” noted Council.
Although the blueberry harvest is finished, and most of the migrant workers have departed, MWO volunteers continue organizing outreach to local farm workers and other immigrants. They collaborate with area civic groups, charities, schools and businesses.
During the blueberry harvest this past summer, a few MWO volunteers visited migrant camps to distribute donated food, clothing and other items.
However, English classes, field trips and most other activities were canceled. Instead, local volunteers signed up to serve as pen pals, telephone reading partners, and telephone English tutors.
Volunteers were matched with children in the new Farm & Community Youth Clubs of South Jersey, which were organized by MWO. Even though they worked remotely, volunteers enjoyed making a connection with their partners from the youth clubs.
Samantha Freas, a Medford resident, served as a volunteer with the Farm and Community Youth Clubs.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with MWO,” she said. “I love connecting with the children and adults living in the migrant camps, even just through the phone. Their passion for connecting with others and learning English is so inspiring. Serving the migrant workers is something I would suggest for everyone, especially at this time of difficulty with the pandemic.”
Medford Resident Diane Schultz served as a volunteer pen pal. She was matched with Victor, a twelve year old youth club member.
“I enjoyed corresponding with my pen pal, Victor,” she said. “We found common interests between us, such as our love of family, dogs, sports and pizza. I was surprised at his enthusiasm for video games!”
“It’s important to help welcome migrant workers and their families, to make them feel valued and appreciated,” Schultz added. “It is also a wonderful way to experience each other’s cultures through activities, writing and in-person meetings.”
MWO also publishes the Combined Farm Worker Journals, which are distributed free at migrant camps. There are dual language sections for Latinos and Haitians, plus a section for Jamaicans. Copies of the journal are available at Pinelands Library in Medford.
To learn more about MWO, visit their website: www.MigrantWorkerOutreach.Org, email info@MigrantWorkerOutreach.Org, send a Facebook message to Migrant Worker Outreach of South Jersey, or write to P.O. Box 123, Medford, NJ 08055.
