About WFWA
40+
More than four decades of hands-on organizing experience
365
Open and operating every single day of the year
100%
Entirely volunteer run. No paid staff, ever.
1983
Founded in Stockton, California in 1983
History
Founded in 1983
Since our start in 1983, WESTERN FARM WORKERS ASSOCIATION (WFWA) has built a membership of farm workers who pick and plant California’s world-renowned produce, along with other low-paid workers in the San Joaquin Valley.
Purpose
We seek to alleviate our members’ most important problem—poverty—at its root. WFWA performs neither acts of charity nor isolated acts of goodwill, but rather aids members in obtaining what is rightfully theirs in a context that promotes their best interests on all levels.
Accomplishments
Yearly: Volunteers coordinate visits to farm workers living at all 12 state-run migrant labor camps from Lodi to Fresno as well as dozens of privately owned camps, reaching hundreds of families.
Seasonally: WFWA members run a year-round budget savings program, including seasonal benefits that aid dozens of enrolled participating members and their families with school supplies, toys for private holiday family gift-giving, holiday food baskets and other seasonally needed items.
Monthly: Volunteer medical professionals present medical education and information sessions on health concerns of farm workers. Attorneys volunteer to present “Know Your Law” sessions on areas of law of interest to benefit low-income workers.
Weekly: Members and other volunteers assist dozens of WFWA members with distributions of fresh, organic produce and non-perishable items.
Daily: WFWA unites the community through a daily organizing campaign to involve students, small business owners, clergy and other community residents.