Local HEROES Clean Water

Spread the OrganizingBy Davin CardenasThe Graton Day Labor Center, opensince September 2007, supports theexpansion of other day labor centersand day labor organizing across thecounty and state. The benefits are broadbased, supporting workers, employers,and the outlying community. Some ofthose benefits have to be felt to be trulyappreciated but we’ll try to convey ithere.We have discovered that through theprocess of organizing we have all foundfamily. Places are few in our societywhere one is welcomed daily, whereone has their voice respected personallyas well as through democratic avenues,and where the means and opportunityto progress is directly in front of them.The Center walks a fine line betweenproviding necessary services (suchas on-site health consultations, dailyEnglish classes, occupational health andsafety training, job training, and wageclaims), and organizing around commonneeds (such as promoting health,human rights education, leadershipdevelopment, civic participation andvolunteerism).Though times and circumstancesare challenging, we keep our mentalhealth playing sports, music and chess,promoting culture, and of course,with frequent celebrating. What wehave accomplished has taken patience,understanding and even conflict, butwithout a doubt, beautiful thingshappen on a daily basis within thecenter.Employers who hire from our centerhave given us overwhelmingly positivefeedback regarding the benefits weoffer. A large part of how we gaugethe work ethic of our members is bythe feedback cards that are voluntarilyturned in by the employers at the end ofthe job. Employers aren’t even requiredto come to the Center; they may call inadvance to establish their on-the-jobneeds (certain skills, English, etc.), andreserve workers or ask them to show upat the job site.Employers who hire from the center,support a community process thathas been developed over several yearsby local residents and merchants,county officials, and the workersthemselves. Workers understand theirresponsibility when they make thechoice to come to the center, and theytake pride in being part of a greatercommunity vision.12 - www.westcountygazette.com - 1/15/09We hope that day labor centerscan also function as “spaces” wherecommunities sit down to dialoguedifferences and similarities, insteadof engaging in the incoherent barkingwhich seems to be more and more thenorm in mainstream media.As you can see that the day laborcenter has become much more thana hiring hall; it is a place where wecollectively become active, takingresponsibility for the betterment of ourlives, and our communities.Graton Day Labor Centerwww.Gratondaylabor.org(707) 829-18642981 Bowen, Graton, CA 95444Open every day, from 6:30 a.m.until 11:30 am.