At the Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF), we believe that farmworkers and rural community members already possess deep knowledge, strength and leadership potential rooted in their lived experiences. Our work begins with that foundation – recognizing the innate capacity, understanding, and wisdom that exist within the community – and focuses on building upon it to strengthen confidence, voice, and collective power.
Through our Civic Participation Program, we help community members learn how local, state, and national government systems work, how elections and democracy function, and why their participation is essential in shaping policies that impact their lives. We aim to empower individuals to see themselves as active participants in democracy – not as outsiders, but as vital contributors whose voices matter.
FWAF’s civic engagement efforts also help farmworkers and their families develop the skills to share their personal stories and lived experiences, recognizing that these testimonies are powerful tools for advocacy and change. We encourage engagement that crosses lines of ethnicity, language, and country of origin, fostering unity and solidarity across diverse communities.
Our civic participation activities include:
- Hosting candidates’ forums before elections to connect community members with those running for public office.
- Supporting oral testimony and advocacy before local, state, and national decision-makers.
- Facilitating community events and participation in local initiatives such as the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade.
- Coordinating with Consulates from Mexico, Guatemala, and other countries to bring essential services directly to farmworker communities.
- Creating spaces for education, dialogue, and collective action that strengthen community bonds and inspire leadership from within.
Through these efforts, FWAF helps farmworkers and their families build confidence in their own voices, understand their rights, and take an active role in shaping the future of their communities.
