Farmworkers’ Fair Share

Labor Secretary Applauds New California Overtime Law

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez is commending California Gov. Jerry Brown for signing into law Assembly Bill 1066. Perez said those who work on farms are some of California’s most vulnerable workers.

“We all depend on their work to feed and care for our families, but far too often they can’t afford to put food on their own dinner tables,” said Perez. “I commend the California legislature for their ongoing efforts to protect the most vulnerable workers in their state,” he adds.

The new law ensures critical overtime protections for farmworkers, giving them the same overtime protections that workers in other industries have enjoyed for decades.

Christopher Paige, CEO of California Human Development joined with Perez and fair labor advocates across the country in commending the Governor for ensuring strong, sensible safeguards for farmworkers and their families.

“In northern California, farmworkers and their families continue to represent a vast and severely impoverished population,” says Paige. “Issues such as affordable housing make conditions here especially difficult as the housing market tightens and grows more expensive. For many, this relief comes none too soon.”

A group of farm workers hoe a large field along California's central coast.

 

 

CHD Earns Prestigious Endorsement

disABILITY Services wins three-year accreditation from CARF 

Today, California Human Development’s disABILITY Services division received an important and prestigious thumbs up from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)—an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services worldwide. CARF issued a three-year endorsement, saying “the achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of persons served.” The finding is CHD’s 12th three-year accreditation since 1977 and is the highest possible level of CARF accreditation. It applies to CHD’s employment support and job development services for adults with disABILITIES, noting excellence in leadership, organizational standards, services provided, employee-client relationships and client satisfaction, among others. CARF accreditation is given only to those providers who deliver “highest quality services.” The accreditation follows a lengthy and rigorous application and review process completed in August.

Employed Ex-Con is “Loving Life!”

Kevin Lindgren spent his young adulthood in prison. When he was released, he walked out with the clothes he was wearing, a few dollars and the strong will to build a good and upstanding life.

“I did bad things, got into moving drugs, and that’s about all I knew how to do,” says Lindgren.  “I spent 22 years inside, so when I got out the whole world was different.”

FREE BUT FOR HOW LONG?

Lindgren tried and tried to get a job but lacking computer skills he struggled to even submit an application, and those employers he did contact refused to hire an ex-con. Frustrated and down to his last dollar, Kevin called his probation officer and said he was on the edge of returning to his former career. Of course that prompted some choice expletives, followed by a call to Fathers and Families in San Joaquin County.

“Those people saved my life,” says Lindgren.

JOB TRAINING

Fathers and Families is a non-profit working with California Human Development (CHD) to provide emergency assistance and job training to recently released non-violent offenders. They stepped in, walked Kevin off the edge and called CHD’s office in Lodi, where he was enrolled in the CHD truck driver training program in Stockton.

“It wasn’t easy for me to get through that school, just getting there was hard because I live an hour away and didn’t have a car,” says Lindgren.  “But CHD stuck with me and I’m so grateful they did!”

Lindgren graduated, obtained his Class A license, and with CHD’s help he immediately applied for—and GOT—a truck driving position with El & El Wood Products in Galt.

A SECOND CHANCE, A NEW BEGINNING

“I told them about my past and they said they ‘appreciated my honesty.’ Imagine that? Their head driver also graduated from CHD, so that helped. But really, I’m blown away by how awesome this company is!”

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Recently, Kevin bought a car—his first ever! He makes good money, enough to pay his bills and even get ahead a bit. He works as much overtime as he can because he loves the perks of honest employment…like spoiling his grandson with gifts and outings.

“I love my job and I love my new life.” says Lindgren. “I do work hard, but it’s worth it. I had no idea I could be this happy!”

California Human Development assisted Kevin Lindgren on his pathway to success through funding provided by Assembly Bill 2060. Click here for details…