Our Cause
Agricultural workers are a critical component of the 22 million dollar fruit production sector of Mesa County, however, they face unique challenges when they arrive, and during their integration to our community. La Plaza empowers their skills and strengthens their sense of community connectedness. Help us meet our goal!
Our Work
La Plaza builds connections between Grand Valley agricultural workers (farm workers), farm owners, and community resource providers to positively influence the health and wellbeing of our migrant and immigrant communities, and thereby the farms, vineyards, orchards, and ranches where they work. Through Facilitation, Advocacy, Community Building and Empowerment, we ensure that our members, migrant and immigrant agricultural workers and their families, are able to equitably access and benefit from the resources that make their lives better.
We Facilitate our members' access to resources such as health clinics, tax preparation, and hunger and economic relief programs. La Plaza also provides direct resources onsite at our Palisade location, such as our education programs, seasonal food pantry and clothing closet.
We Advocate at the local, regional, and statewide level on behalf of the migrant and immigrant communities. Locally, La Plaza supports employers and community resource providers to grow their culturally responsive and equity-based approaches that will serve our diverse community.
At La Plaza, we foster Community Building through our resource nights, social gatherings, events, and volunteer opportunities for members and the broader community, which increase community engagement and belonging.
Last but not least, we Empower members through community navigation and cultural integration support. Each time a member walks through the door, we focus on building their skills and confidence. La Plaza supports members to increase their potential to self-navigate resources in the future. As an immigrant-led organization, La Plaza empowers its members to become community leaders themselves.
In 2023, we reached 350 individuals, and we are still growing. In the summer time we provided food to 245 households, feeding 850 individuals. We also served 600+ hot meals during our twice a month resource nights and distributed $1270 in emergency assistance. Members join not just for their own benefit, but so that all migrant and immigrant agricultural workers in the Grand Valley can be heard, valued, and supported.
Your donations sustain the outreach and support we provide to our members year-round, and truly make a difference in their lives.
Our mission is to serve, empower, and cultivate the wellbeing of migrant and immigrant agricultural workers and their families in the Grand Valley.
We envision an inclusive community where immigrants and migrants are valued, respected, and have equal opportunity.
In 1954, a small group of Palisade peach growers' wives, moved by the lack of resources, and challenging living and working conditions experienced by local migrant farm workers, met around a kitchen table and agreed that they needed to take action.
Their efforts mobilized community resources to provide food, clothing, medical services, childcare and more to seasonal workers and their families in Palisade and throughout Mesa county. Their work lives on today and is known as Child and Migrant Services, Inc. (CMS).
At the beginning of 2023, our organization embarked on a rebranding process, to better reflect its commitment to both migrant and immigrant communities. From its inception, La Plaza has been known to adapt its approach to best meet the needs of agricultural workers that are constantly changing and shifting. La Plaza is the only migrant/immigrant-led service provider in Mesa County and is well-positioned to address and reduce barriers for its members.
The migrant and immigrant agricultural workers we serve are our members. Members join not just for their own benefit, but so that all migrant and immigrant workers in the Grand Valley can be heard, valued, and supported.
Organization name
LA PLAZA
other names
dba. Child and Migrant Services
1954
Tax id (EIN)
84-0831830
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
721 Peach AvenueMailing
PO Box 1038Mesa County, CO, US