POMONA: Centro jornalero recibe apoyo de la ciudad

ALEJANDRO CANO

ALEJANDRO CANO ESPECIAL PARA LA PRENSA

Publicado: 17 abril 2012 10:40 AM

Junta Directiva de Pomona

ALEJANDRO CANO/ESPECIAL PARA LA PRENSA John Nolte, presidente de la junta directiva del centro jornalero, dijo que se ganó una batalla, pero que con la unión comunitaria se ganará la guerra.

Conocido como el Centro de Oportunidades Económicas de Pomona (PEOC), el centro jornalero continuará ofreciendo sus servicios, aunque de manera limitada, por los próximos meses debido a que el lunes 16 de abril por la noche, el Concejo Municipal de dicha localidad aprobó otorgar 37,000 dólares que serán destinados al mantenimiento y funcionamiento del mismo.
Para los opositores de la inmigración ilegal, el centro jornalero ubicado en las intersecciones de la Avenida Mission y la Autopista 71 en la ciudad de Pomona es una carga más para la ciudad y debería ser disuelto. Pero para una centena de trabajadores que todos los días se congregan en el lugar con la esperanza de conseguir trabajo, el centro representa su segundo hogar.
“Lo miramos como una victoria. Entendemos que la ciudad está en problemas económicos y agradecemos el esfuerzo por mantener abierto el centro”, comentó Suzanne Foster, directora ejecutiva de PEOC. “El centro es mucho más que un lugar para conseguir empleo, es un santuario para los inmigrantes donde se sienten protegidos y seguros”.
Foster indicó que los 37,000 dólares destinados por el concejo de manera unánime mantendrán el centro abierto por los próximos cuatro meses, dependiendo de cuánto recorte se implemente. Debido a que el centro no había recibido ayuda financiera alguna por los últimos 18 meses, la directiva tuvo que implementar recortes que afectan directamente al trabajador, admitió Foster.
“Ya no abrimos los domingos, eliminamos los baños portátiles de afuera, reducimos el horario de servicio diario y estamos viendo la manera de evitar recortes de empleados. La situación es crítica al grado de que si seguimos así, tendremos que cancelar las clases de inglés y las sesiones informativas sobre los derechos del trabajador”, añadió Foster.
Según directivos, el centro necesita 250,000 dólares anuales para poder operar al máximo, ofreciendo información legal, clases de inglés y talleres de salud, así como información laboral que beneficia al trabajador. Existen planes para destinar 75,000 dólares adicionales al centro antes del 30 de junio, dijo Foster, plan que de ser aprobado por el concejo de la ciudad mantendría el centro abierto el próximo año.
Por su parte, John Nolte, presidente de la junta directiva de PEOC, dijo que se ganó una lucha, pero que aún falta mucho para ganar la guerra. Nolte instó a la comunidad a seguir más unida que nunca para poder adjudicarse victorias en temas de retenes vehiculares y separación de familias por razones de inmigración.
“Esto es prueba de que cuando el pueblo se une, se triunfa. Hoy hemos triunfado, un triunfo que fue posible por la unión ejercida”, indicó Nolte.
El centro fue fundado en 1998 en respuesta a las denuncias de abuso de poder y perfil racial ejercido en contra de los jornaleros que todos los días se congregaban en las afueras de una tienda de materiales de construcción local. Desde entonces, el concejo ha destinado millones de dólares para su mantenimiento.
Conjuntamente, fundaciones como Liberty Hill, Public Welfare y California Wellness, entre otras, han otorgado becas para que la directiva implemente sesiones educativas en varios centros jornaleros ubicados en las ciudades de Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino y Riverside.
El centro tiene como misión proveer a los trabajadores una oportunidad de empleo seguro sin correr el peligro de ser maltratados y abusados por los contratistas. Para lograr este objetivo, el centro ha unido fuerzas con universidades locales, así como coaliciones y organizaciones no lucrativas que defienden los derechos del inmigrante.

Centro para Jornaleros

Christian Gavilanes is featured in this news broadcast on Channel 62. The Pomona city council agreed to continue funding the center. Although it still needs more funding in the coming year, a big victory was won in getting the city council to fund the center for the next three months and to decide on more funding in June. Thanks to all the Pitzer students, Pomona High School students, day laborers, and community supporters who turned out to support!

Benjamin Wood invited you to “Inland Empire May 1st General Strike!”

Inland Empire May 1st General Strike!

Inland Empire General Strike!

Occupy Riverside, in cooperation with our friends and allies, is working to make May 1 a day of community empowerment in which individuals disengage from the institutions and practices that oppress us, and engage in activities that foster community and humanity.

We are starting with 5 days of “Spring training” to gear up for the big day!

It all starts on Thursday, April 26, with a Free Education Fair at People’s Plaza (Main and University in downtown Riverside). Workshops begin at 3 and go until 8, with a dinner break in between! To get involved, give a workshop, talk, skillshare, or lecture, or to help with dinner, please sign up on the facebook page. There are still slots available.

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/246543405441973/

See Upcoming Events

Limited funding for Pomona Day Labor Center to be considered by City Council

Article from the Daily Bulletin

Monica Rodriquez, Staff Writer

Created: 04/14/2012 01:53:26 PM PDT

POMONA – A proposal will go to City Council members on Monday night calling for providing $37,000 in funding to the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, also known as the Pomona Day Labor Center.

The funds aren’t nearly as much as the $123,930 the center received in the 2010-11 fiscal year from the city’s now defunct redevelopment agency. However, “it’s enough to help and keep the doors open,” said Suzanne Foster, the center’s executive director. If the City Council approves allocating the funds, the money will help keep the center operate through June 30. The money would come from the city’s general services division budget and not specifically from the general fund, according to a city staff report. Mayor Elliott Rothman said Friday he will be looking carefully at the source of the proposed funding. He added the bigger question will be how to fund the center for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

“Next year, it’s going to be very difficult,” Rothman said. The matter of funding for the2012-2013 fiscal year is one that will be addressed as part of the budget process, according to the staff report.City administrators are now looking for ways to close a $2.5 million budget gap in the coming fiscal year’s budget.During the past 13 years, the city has provided funding to the center at various levels, according to the staff report. The center, on Mission Boulevard just east of the 71 Freeway, last received funding was for the 2010-2011 fiscal year when it was allocated $123,930, according to the staff report.The center did not receive financial assistance for the 2011-2012 fiscal year as a result of the passage of state legislation approving the dismantling of redevelopment agencies across the state and the future of Pomona’s redevelopment agency became uncertain. Through the use of grants, reserves and in-kind services, the center has continued to operate but some funding sources require matching funds and could be lost without financial assistance from the city, according to the staff report.

Foster said Friday she’s pursuing additional grant opportunities and has been making contacts that could lead to other funding opportunities. Even if the city was to provide funding for the coming fiscal year “we’re going to have to make changes” at the center, Foster said. The strategy is still being developed but one potential change will be further scaling back hours of operation. Sunday hours have already been eliminated but it is possible the center could go from operating eight hours a day Monday through Saturday to 6 1/2 hours Monday through Saturday.

Before a decision is made, however, the workers who are members of the center must be consulted, Foster said. In addition, staffing levels may also be adjusted.

At the April 2 City Council meeting, day laborers and their supporter went before the City Council urging them to continue to provide assistance to the center, which has existed for about 15 years.

Through the establishment of the center, workers, including many who are illegal immigrants, left street corners where they sought work.

The center has helped match workers and those who need their services in an organized fashion in addition to being a place where laborers learn English and are able to take part in peer-to-peer job training programs.

Cesar Chavez Day Protest at Pomona College

On Cesar Chavez Day 2012 (March 30, 2012), a rally/march was held at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif. to stand in support of the College’s dining hall workers, including a number who were fired after the administration mandated a college-wide I-9 document check. Video by Jonathan Rice PZ

http://youtu.be/FgUYPa7Leac

Coming Out Of The Shadows

The Immigrant Youth Coalition (IYC) is an organization led by undocumented immigrant youth. We work to empower immigrant youth to stand up against criminalization and injustices in their communities. We have chapter organizations in Los Angeles, South Bay/Harbor, San Gabriel Valley, Pomona Valley, and the Inland Empire.