Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP)

House Farm Workers! will open applications for its 8th annual Ellen Brokaw House Farm Workers! scholarship for college-bound and current college students who are children of Ventura County farm workers, including seasonal and retired farm workers. Eligible students may submit applications online at www.HouseFarmWorkers.org. Three students will be selected to receive $3,000.00 each towards their continued education and will be honored at House Farm Workers! annual “From Field to Fork,” fundraiser, which will be held in July. Scholarship applications must be submitted no later than May 1, 2023.

Ventura County – House Farm Workers! has opened applications for its 7th annual Ellen Brokaw House Farm Workers! scholarship for college-bound and current college students who are children of Ventura County farm workers, including seasonal and retired farm workers. Eligible students may submit applications online at www.HouseFarmWorkers.org. Three students will be selected to receive $3,000.00 each towards their continued education and will be honored at House Farm Workers! annual “From Field to Fork,” fundraiser, which will be held in July. Scholarship applications must be submitted no later than April 29, 2022.

The scholarship is named in honor of Ellen Brokaw, an important member of the agricultural community in Ventura County and the founding chairwoman of House Farm Workers!. Brokaw, a prominent member of our county’s agricultural community, is a dedicated and inspirational leader and advocate who is committed to improving the lives of farm workers and their families.

“This scholarship is just one way we can support our local farm worker families,” stated Gabrielle Vignone, Executive Director for House Farm Workers!. “Along with access to safe housing, we believe that all members of our community benefit when opportunities for greater education are provided. This scholarship reflects our commitment to ensuring that our farm worker families thrive for generations.”

Studies show that when affordable housing is provided for farm workers, entire families benefit from living in a stable environment that is safe for their children. This impacts agricultural improvements, as employees are more likely to be dependable and reliable while working in one of Ventura County’s most vital industries.

With a long-term goal of a career in education, 2019 recipient Eric Magaña shares how the scholarship funds, and the House Farm Workers! community has supported him, “It has helped me immensely with technology, books and general support throughout my first year, especially during the 2020 pandemic, and having to transition to online learning.” Jesus Martinez, a 2021 scholarship recipient, was able to purchase equipment needed for his architecture program at University of California, Berkeley.

About the Organization – Since 2004, House Farm Workers! has been promoting safe, decent, secure and affordable
housing for farm workers and their families in Ventura County through education and advocacy. The nonprofit 501c3
actively and continually advocates for the agricultural community to elected representatives and community leaders about
the need for safe, decent and affordable housing for Ventura County farm workers and their families. There are
approximately 41,600 employed farmers in the county, all of which hold key roles in Ventura County’s $2 billion-a-year
agricultural industry. The average farm worker’s annual income is $22,000, which is less than the average price of an
apartment per year in Ventura County. – www.HouseFarmWorkers.org, (805) 921-0430, info@HouseFarmWorkers.org.

October 25, 2021

Dear Community Member,

In March 2020, the Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP) was formed to provide emergency relief to the thousands of farmworkers in Ventura County facing devastating economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the program began, it has successfully provided direct assistance to help farmworker families meet their basic needs in Ventura County, which is home to more than 40,000 farmworker households.

Because of your generosity, and the generosity of donors like you, FHAP was able to provide $1,000 cash grants to 3,465 struggling farmworker families in 2020. So far in 2021, 172 farmworker families have received cash grants, with an additional 15 families scheduled to receive grants this October. In addition, the Board of Supervisors, inspired by the many donors to FHAP, allocated more than $3 million to make sure that every farmworker applicant in need receives help. Every penny donated goes directly to farmworker families who are struggling to pay rent and other essential bills.

Now, as the pandemic’s devastation continues, farmworker hardships have deepened and increased as debts pile up, rent goes unpaid, and families become increasingly desperate. Requests for financial assistance continue to pour in, and an additional 2,800 additional farmworker families needing financial assistance have now been registered and qualified.

With 2,800 farmworker families desperately waiting for financial assistance, and more requests coming in, we need your help more than ever! Please give what you can, as soon as you can.

Sincerely,

The FHAP Organizing Committee

Genevieve Flores-Haro, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project
Ellen Brokaw, Brokaw Ranch Company, House Farm Workers!
Yissel Barajas, Reiter Affiliated Companies

May 2021

Dear Community Member,

In 2020 many farmworkers in Ventura County experienced devastating economic loss due to the pandemic. The Farmworker Household Assistance Program, with community donations augmented by County covid-relief funds, sent $1000 grants to 3465 farmworker families.

Now in 2021, the pandemic’s devastation continues. Farmworker hardships have deepened and increased as debts pile up, rent goes unpaid, and families become increasingly desperate. Emergency assistance is needed now.

In the next few months the 2021 Farmworker Household Assistance Program will solicit donations in order to give grants of $500 – $1000 to as many families as possible.

Please give what you can, as soon as you can. When donations reach $100,000, VCCF will add $50,000 through a matching fund campaign, so every dollar you give will be increased by 50%.

Every penny donated goes directly to a struggling farmworker family. Thank you for supporting Ventura County’s essential farmworkers!

The FHAP Organizing Committee,

Genevieve Flores-Haro, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project
Ellen Brokaw, Brokaw Ranch Company, House Farm Workers!
Linda Braunschweiger, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, House Farm Workers!
A. Irene de Barracicua, Lideres Campesinas
Debbie Jackson, House Farm Workers!
Yissel Barajas, Reiter Affiliated Companies

April 2021

Dear Community Member,

In 2020 many farmworkers in Ventura County experienced devastating economic loss due to the pandemic. The Farmworker Household Assistance Program, with community donations augmented by County COVID-relief funds, sent $1000 grants to 3465 farmworker families.

Now in 2021, the pandemic’s devastation continues. Farmworker hardships have deepened and increased as debts pile up, rent goes unpaid, and families become increasingly desperate. Emergency assistance is needed now.

In the next few months the 2021 Farmworker Household Assistance Program will solicit donations in order to give grants of $500 – $1000 to as many families as possible.

Please give what you can, as soon as you can. Your $1.00 gift will add $1.50 to the Fund through a challenge match of $50,000 provided by the Ventura County Community Foundation.

Every penny donated goes directly to a struggling farmworker family.

Thank you for supporting Ventura County’s essential farmworkers!

The FHAP Organizing Committee,

Genevieve Flores-Haro, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project
Ellen Brokaw, Brokaw Ranch Company, House Farm Workers!
Linda Braunschweiger, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, House Farm Workers!
A. Irene de Barracicua, Lideres Campesinas
Debbie Jackson, House Farm Workers!
Yissel Barajas, Reiter Affiliated Companies

March 2021

Dear Community Member,

In 2020 many farmworkers in Ventura County experienced devastating economic loss due to the pandemic. Although designated “essential workers”, many lost their jobs, had their work hours reduced, or stayed home to care for children or sick relatives.

The Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP), created in Summer 2020, is a partnership between House Farm Workers!, the Ventura County Community Foundation and the County’s Farmworker Resource Program. FHAP began soliciting donations to help farmworkers pay for basic needs and keep them from losing their housing. The community stepped up with 173 donations ranging from $20 to $100,000 and totaling more than $400,000.

However the need for assistance, demonstrated by the number of applications received, far exceeded our funding capacity. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors responded to the need and generously added more than $3 million so that every qualifying farmworker applicant could be helped. In December 2020, 3,465 farmworker households received $1000 checks!

Now, in 2021, the pandemic’s devastation continues. Farmworker hardships have deepened and increased as debts pile up, rent goes unpaid, and families have become increasingly desperate. Assistance is urgently needed and so FHAP PHASE TWO is
underway with a new goal to help 500 families by raising $500,000.

Every penny you give will go directly to a struggling farmworker family.

Thank you for helping in any way you can!

Supporters of Farmworkers and the FHAP,

Genevieve Flores-Haro, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project
Ellen Brokaw, Brokaw Ranch Company, House Farm Workers!
Linda Braunschweiger, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, House Farm Workers!
A. Irene de Barracicua, Lideres Campesinas
Debbie Jackson, House Farm Workers!
Yissel Barajas, Reiter Affiliated Companies

Dear Community Member,

Many farmworkers in our community are experiencing devastating economic impacts due to Covid-19. Although farmworkers are designated “essential workers”, many have lost their jobs, experienced reduced work hours, or have needed to stay home to care for children or sick family members. These men and women who tend the crops and make possible the green vistas and fresh food that we all enjoy are now struggling to meet basic needs.

We are a group of agricultural employers and farmworker advocates addressing the urgent need to keep farmworkers from becoming homeless by creating this Farmworker Household Assistance Program (FHAP), to be supported by private donations.

Our partners in this emergency program are House Farm Workers! (HFW) the fund sponsors, Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) which is hosting the FHAP Fund, and the County of Ventura which is not only providing matching dollars but administering the program through its Farm Worker Resource Program (FRP) housed in the Human Services Agency. Neither VCCF nor the County are charging administrative fees, so every dollar donated will go directly to households in need via grants of $1200 or more.

In the month of September, 101 donors large and small gave $145,000 which, when matched, will help 242 farm worker families. When we set the original goal to raise $250,000 which the Board of Supervisors agreed to match, we had no idea that so many families were struggling. The Farm Worker Resource Program has received 4000 applications for assistance. Our new fundraising goal, in response to this overwhelming need, is $400.000 – ambitious but doable with your support.

We can’t do it without you! Please give generously and soon.

With gratitude,
Supporters of Farmworkers and the FHAP

Genevieve Flores-Haro, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project
Ellen Brokaw, Brokaw Ranch Company, House Farm Workers!
Linda Braunschweiger, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County, House Farm Workers!
A. Irene de Barracicua, Lideres Campesinas
Alondra Serna, House Farm Workers!
Yissel Barajas, Reiter Affiliated Companies

Partnering with County of Ventura, Ventura County Community Foundation, House Farm Workers! and the Farmworker Resource Program.