Help Migrants Access Mental Health Services

Dear Friends,

It has been a difficult year for migrant workers in Northern California. The same workers who produce 1/3 of the vegetables, 2/3 of the fruits and nuts and 90% of all strawberries grown in the United States. According to the Center for Farmworker Families, migrant farmworkers suffer as a result of inadequate nutrition, terrible living conditions and no health insurance. The average life expectancy of a migrant farmworker is 49 years of age. Migrant farmworkers deserve better!

The CARE collaborative is made up of Livity Rising, Integrative Healers Action Network and Acupuncturists Without Borders. Farmworkers and their families can choose between chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, ear seeds or any combination of the above which are provided free of charge. Many people arrive with pain and keep coming back because they feel better as a result of the different treatments offered. In October 2023, the CARE collaborative asked those who attended how their experience was and how we can do better.

In summary, here is what we learned:

• 95% of clients said that their pain was significantly reduced
• 80% said that their stress levels dropped significantly
• 100% of all who responded said that their practitioner was attentive to THEIR needs
• 100% felt a greater connection to their community because of the events offered
• The words used most to describe their experience included: relaxing, welcoming, emotional care, emotionally pleasant, organized, creative and health benefits 
• What could we improve? - Nothing, maybe more health stations, maybe more staff, maybe a little bigger spot, more time

In their own words:

The personalized care, tailored to ME even with such limited time and so many patients.

I shared my apprehension and was deeply listened to. She carefully talked me through the experience, very trauma-informed. Completely gained my trust and left me feeling very at peace, relaxed and without pain.

If you can provide financial support, please do so.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for everyone!