The Second Annual Mariachi Band and authentic Mexican food event will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Gazebo in Merrill. The event is a fundraiser for Comunidad Hispana which serves the Latino population in Lincoln County.
Throughout the past decade, the Diocese of Superior, through its Department of Development, has facilitated national CCHD grants to provide support for Comunidad Hispana, an immigrant rights and community development organization based in Merrill. The diocese reports that annual funding for the organization has averaged about $47,000.
As per Sr. Mary Thomas, founder of Comunidad Hispana, the voiceless here are the migrant farm workers who have settled on farms throughout Wisconsin, hoping to establish a more prosperous life for themselves and their families. Two years ago she was instrumental in hiring Tony Gonzales as executive director of Comunidad Hispana. Three part-time advocates and outreach coordinators are on staff.
Their primary focus is to advocate for humane working conditions for the farmworkers. The immigrant farmworker community has fallen victim to the feeling of being ostracized due to their undocumented status. The fear of being deported has left farmworkers with little to no options for help, which has exposed them to a myriad of abuses.
Comunidad Hispana pursues justice and equality for migrant farmworker community. For instance, the Comunidad Hispana staff works to help reduce the barriers farmworkers face, so they better understand their rights and responsibilities. According to Sr. Mary Thomas, “Every person has the right to life, liberty and happiness.”
Come learn more about your Latino neighbors on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Gazebo. Food starts at 4 p.m. and music to follow.
The above article excerpts were taken from the September 10 issue of the Superior Catholic Herald.