News

It Pays to Learn
Fiddlehead Focus, November 10, 2011

ST. JOHN VALLEY - The Maine High School Equivalency Program (Maine HEP) is reaching out to migrant and seasonal farm-workers and their family members who want to earn their GED. By eliminating some obstacles, Maine HEP works to increase career options and earning potential by helping students earn their GED and then get a better job, get additional training/ schooling, or enlist in the military. >>Read More

 

Making a Better Life
Lake Region Reader, July 14, 2011

Click image below for a larger version.

 

“The vision of a community:” Ribbon Cutting Welcoming Remarks by Executive Director Ian Yaffe

Posted by Ian Yaffe on Tuesday, June 28, 2011

 

Good morning and welcome to the ribbon cutting ceremony for Hand in Hand Apartments, Maine’s first affordable housing project for farmworkers.  It is my great honor to stand before you today and introduce you to some of the people and organizations that have been so essential to this project’s success. >>Read More

 

With Fanfare and Collaboration, Mano en Mano Opens Maine’s First Affordable Housing Project for Farmworkers

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 01:38 PM PDT

 

MILBRIDGE, Maine — On a beautiful day in Downeast Maine, nearly 100 guests gathered at the site of Hand in Hand Apartments to open Maine’s first affordable housing project for farmworkers.  Originally conceived in 2006, this 6-unit apartment building is a place where “truly weary workers will come to rest,” said Commissioner Walt Whitcomb of the Maine Department of Agriculture.  In his remarks, Commissioner Whitcomb spoke of the economic importance of families that work the sea, the fields, the farms, and the barrens. >>Read More

 

March 28 - April 3, 2011

Maine HEP sponsors National Farmworkers Awareness Week! March 28 - April 3. Find out more at http://www.saf-unite.org/action/faw.htm.

 

Syntiro to Assist Migrant/Seasonal Workers
Lake Region Reader, March 24, 2011

Click image below for a larger version.

 

Work Begins on Hand in Hand Apartments

Posted by Ian Yaffe on October 27, 2010

 

Milbridge, Maine—Construction has begun on Maine’s first off-farm affordable housing project for farmworkers, with $1.4 million being used to invest the local community. This money will also create or maintain numerous jobs throughout Maine-based architecture, construction, and lending institutions. When completed, Hand in Hand Apartments will house six farmworker families in 3 three-bedroom and 3 [...] >> Read More

 

WEST WING UPDATE

Email from Stephanie Valencia, Associate Director, White House Office of Public Engagement, December 5, 2010

 

Dear Friends,

 

It’s been an incredibly busy week as we continue to work with our allies in Congress and across the country to try to get the DREAM Act across the finish line.

 

Here is a quick update. It looks like the House and Senate could take up the DREAM Act as early as this week. From the White House and Obama Administration we continue to do all we can, with everyone from the President to Cabinet and Senior officials working to highlight how important the DREAM Act is to our economy, our security, and our nation.
As you know, the DREAM Act is common-sense legislation drafted by both Republicans and Democrats that would give students who grew up in the United States a chance to contribute to our country’s well-being by serving in the U.S. armed forces or pursuing a higher education. Because it just makes sense, the DREAM Act has long enjoyed bipartisan support. It is limited, targeted legislation that will allow only the best and brightest young people to earn their legal status after a rigorous and lengthy process, and applies to those brought to the United States as minors through no fault of their own by their parents. These are young people who know no other home. Here is some of the work we have been doing:

• Secretary Duncan participated in a call with Conservatives for Comprehensive Immigration Reform about the DREAM Act and posted an oped in The Hillsaying “Passing the DREAM Act will unleash the full potential of young people who live out values that all Americans cherish — a strong work ethic; service to others; and a deep loyalty to our country. It will also strengthen our military, bolster our global economic competitiveness and increase our educational standing in the world.” Later that day he hosted a call with over 100 University Presidents on the importance of the DREAM Act.
• Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Cecilia Munoz and I participated in a DREAM Act web chat on WhiteHouse.gov taking great questions like whether the legislation would encourage people to come to the United States illegally (it would not) and whether the DREAM Act can be implemented by the President via Executive Order (it cannot, which is why he is strongly urging Congress to do the right thing by passing it). Secretary Solis, Valerie Jarrett, Cecilia Munoz and I participated in a conference call with hundreds of people across the country as well to give them an update.
• On Wednesday, Joshua DuBois, Director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and over 100 faith leaders from across the country participated in a conference call about why the DREAM Act is the right thing to do.
• Under Secretary of Defense Dr. Clifford Stanley spoke out in support of the DREAM Act saying "Throughout past and current conflicts, those who are not yet citizens have answered the call to defend their adopted nation...Allowing DREAM Act-eligible youth the opportunity to serve this nation would continue this tradition of service, while expanding the market of high-quality patriotic youth, to the advantage of military recruitment and readiness."
• On Thursday, Secretary Napolitano held a conference call with reporters in which she made it clear that the DREAM Act is important for our law enforcement, and will help us better focus our resources so we can enforce immigration laws in a “way that makes sense,” targeting criminals.
• On Friday, Secretary Locke hosted a call with University Presidents Dr. Carlos Campo, President of Regent University, Dr. Gene Block, Chancellor, UCLA and Dr. Eduardo Padron, Miami-Dade College to talk about the importance of the DREAM Act to our country’s competitiveness. Secretary Locke said, "These are kids that can be our future scientists, our doctors, our military leaders and our educators. Some of them are our future entrepreneurs who will build the next Google or Intel that will generate hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs for our country."
• The White House also released a fact sheet and a top ten list on why we need to pass the DREAM Act, highlighting myths and facts about the legislation as well as highlighting real stories, key supporters of the bill and over 50 editorial boards that have come out in support of the DREAM Act .

So it’s the end of a busy week, but we will keep gearing up for more action next week as Congress heads toward votes. Keep up with what we're doing on WhiteHouse.gov. 

 

Stephanie Valencia   
Associate Director
White House Office of Public Engagement 
svalencia@who.eop.gov