Here at NorCal, we believe we have a story to tell.
Our story is not only where we’ve come from, but also where we’re going.
Our hope is that this website might be a place to share that story with you, whether you are a current business partner, prospective employee, or curious community member. Thank you for visiting norcalharvesting.com and allowing us this opportunity!
We are very excited to wrap up another 10 week session of the Homework Help Pilot Program.
This semester, our “El Jardín Team” consisted of CSUMB Service Learners, members of the CSUMB CAMP program (College Assistance Migrant Program), and members of the Omega Delta Phi service fraternity at CSUMB. Families benefitting from this program included NorCal field staff and office staff. Here’s what participants had to say about our Spring Session:
“As the weeks go by and you get to know [the students], you get to form a bond with them. So they gain more confidence and they ask you more questions and they feel more safe towards you. And I think that’s something valuable because you don’t change a child’s life but you do change their way of thinking and their way of learning something throughout the 10 weeks. So I think that’s really special.”
-Daniela Zaragoza, CSUMB Service Learning Institute, CSUMB College Assistance Migrant Program
“Just having a connection with that one little person that doesn’t even know anything about you and you don’t know anything them, but yet you guys have that one hour of connecting. I really like that because I’ve always wanted a little sister or a litter brother so I feel like it’s me helping a little sister or a little brother.”
–Cindy Melgoza, CSUMB Service Learning Institute, CSUMB College Assistance Migrant Program
“Vale la pena mandar los niños porque les ayudan mucho cuando no entienden la tarea.”
-Margarita Castro Cruz, NorCal Field Staff
For more information about the Homework Help Pilot Program, click here.
For Service Learners who may be considering El Jardín for your next service site, check out what other students had to say!
“Working at El Jardín as a Homework Helper has been nothing but a great experience. Kaytie, my team, and the kids are awesome which made service learning a breeze. Seeing all the positive outcomes and grade improvements has made me feel so rewarded and grateful for my participation. In my service learning course we have learned a lot about the importance of giving back to the community. I realized that just by taking 3 hours out of my week to help the younger community had such a positive outcome.”
-Ashley Enos, CSUMB Service Learner, Business Administration Major
“El Jardín provides a service to students of Salinas that is invaluable. A platform is in place for CSUMB Service Learners to enable students from high school to elementary school to succeed academically while giving the service learners an opportunity to reflect on their prior academic experiences. It is a great place to serve and it is advantageous in the sense that it provides you a structured schedule that will ensure successful completion of your service hours requirement. It is also a place where your opinion matters. You are not just there to take directions. Your opinions are taken into consideration and adjustments occur promptly. Kayti is very understanding and flexible when it comes to accommodating our needs. All in all, it’s a great site to serve and you’ll leave knowing that your time spent was greatly appreciated.”
-Andres Hernandez, CSUMB Service Learner, Human Communication Major
If you’re convinced, contact us here!
This week we launched our very first Fall Session of the Homework Help Pilot Program at El Jardín! We are very excited to be collaborating with CSUMB’s Service Learning Institute to promote the value of education among farm workers and their families.
For more information about the Homework Help Pilot Program, click here!
At the beginning of May, representatives from United Way Monterey County visited each of our crews to raise awareness about programs available through their organization, including 2-1-1, FamilyWize, CalFresh, and Earn It! Keep It! $ave It!
El Jardín, our new Resource Center, is very excited to be working with United Way for its inaugural season to carry out its mission: connecting farm workers and their families to community programs and services.
In the fall of 2014, we set out to develop and launch a Resource Center here at NorCal. Now, in the spring of 2015, we have determined its name: El Jardín.
In English, “El Jardín” translates to “The Garden.”
The role of El Jardín is simple: to connect farm workers and their families to community programs and services. In fulfilling this role, we hope its impact “grows” into something that makes our corner of the world a little brighter and a little better.
www.norcalharvesting.com 