Spotlight

Date and Time: Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Location: Calistoga Farmworker Housing Center, 3996 Helena Highway, Calistoga, CA 94515. Purpose: California Human Development (CHD) will hold a public hearing to solicit citizen feedback on the proposed use of funds under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. Who Should Attend: […]

Maria de Lourdes Bailon Chavez was born in Mexico 49 years ago. She is the oldest of 5. At age 15, Maria de Lourdes and her 4 younger siblings came to the United States to join their mother. Her English was very limited, and she had to quit school at 16 to help raise her […]

We are proud to share the inspiring journey of Calixto Cervantes Camacho, a testament to resilience and the power of community support through our programs at the Ukiah FWS Office in Mendocino County. Calixto’s story began in Michoacán, Mexico. At 18, he moved to Ukiah, California, to pursue seasonal farm work, primarily in the grape […]

  In the tapestry of life, every thread of experience contributes to the vivid pattern of our identity and destiny. Such is the story of Karen Santana, whose journey from Mexico City to California is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of support and opportunities. Karen’s story is not just her own […]

Janet Vargas’s journey is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the unwavering desire to create a better life. From her humble beginnings as a young immigrant to her role as the Center Manager at California Human Development (CHD), her story is a source of inspiration for anyone facing adversity. A Challenging Start […]

Introducing Khatira Hashimi and her three children, Husna, Tooba, and Sana Hashimi. With the unwavering support of our organization, their journey towards asylum has been a testament to the resilience and determination of immigrant families. In April 2022, we submitted their asylum application, followed by a crucial asylum interview in September of the same year. […]

On March 3rd, the Fulton Day Labor Center in Fulton, CA had its grand reopening after recently completing renovations. California Human Development (CHD) spearheaded the project, which aimed to provide a safe and dignified space for day laborers to meet with employers while offering resources such as emergency care, English language classes, and job skills […]

Olga was born in El Salvador and began her journey to the United States at the age of 18. Her motivation to leave her country of birth was driven by her desire for independence and a better life. Being fearless, she entered the United States without inspection and successfully completed her trek without any issues. […]

California Human Development (CHD) has recently completed renovations on the Fulton Day Labor Center in Santa Rosa. The center provides a safe and dignified space for day laborers to meet with employers, as well as offering resources such as emergency care, English language classes, and job skills training to help workers improve their lives and […]

Regina’s life was filled with hardship from a young age. Growing up in Guatemala, she suffered from neglect and abuse, and when she became pregnant at the age of 20, she knew that she needed to make a better life for both herself and her son. Despite the pain of leaving her four-year-old son behind, […]

CHD Perspectives: Sarah Sameer Sarah Sameer is the newest member of our Immigration & Citizenship Program team to become an Accredited Representative certified by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP). This greatly increases the ability for Sarah to assist Immigration & Citizenship Program clients with broader levels of support. […]

CHD would like to give our condolences to the Flores family. One of the CHD Founders, Louis Fernando Flores, passed away on September 13, 2022, surrounded by his family. Louis had a lifelong passion for justice and advocacy for farmworkers, their families, and others in need. Louis, along with others, founded North Bay Human Development […]

Earlier this year, Mary Potts became our Farmworker Services Division Director. She has spent many years with CHD and contributed to the Farmworker Services Division and the clients we serve. We asked her to take to some time to write about her story with CHD and what the work she does means to her. Please […]

Carlos Rivera was born in Michoacán, Mexico but now resides in Walnut Grove, CA. He is married and has three lovely children. Most of Carlos’ employment has been in the Farm work industry. He was the sole provider in his household at the time of his enrollment and was having financial difficulties which is why […]

Esmeralda came to CHD looking for an opportunity to better assist her mom. Esmeralda’s mom is a farmworker, she specifically works in the grape fields. As the second oldest sibling, Esmeralda felt helpless and sad to see her mother get up early in the morning with freezing temperatures. The struggles weren’t better during the hot […]

Everyone comes from different walks of life but we all share one thing in common; we strive for a better life for ourselves and for our loved ones. Felipe is a client who was referred by a friend to come inquire about our services here at California Human Development. Felipe came to the United States […]

Pictured: Senior Case Manager Asucena Zentino   Josefina is a 54-year-old native of Mexico. She first came to CHD in August of 2020 to apply for US Citizenship. Her application was approved and a year later she was scheduled for her citizenship interview. She was elated to finally accomplish her goal of becoming a US […]

Alma Núñez has been a camper with Camp Núñez since 2018. Alma was a shy student when her mom heard about Camp Nuñez. Alma’s mom thought that attending camp would help Alma with her self-esteem. During camp, Alma was able to meet new friends, and learn new skills. Alma returned to camp in 2019 and […]

Miguel came into our Healdsburg Day Labor Center back in October 2019 after arriving in the United States. He settled with family and friends in the Town of Windsor. He came seeking a better opportunity in life to support his wife and children in Mexico. After months of searching for work, a family friend informed […]

One year ago, I arrived at CHD and the first person I encountered was Debbie Guerrero, Receptionist at SRHQ, who gave me a very gracious and warm welcome. That memory will stay with me. I felt recognized. I felt welcome. Now an HR Assistant, Debbie and Paula Boris, HR Representative, provide that same daily warm […]

Our name – California Human Development – encompasses who we are and what we do for our community. The Immigration and Citizenship Lodi office was presented with another opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone who had no one to turn to. Through the assistance of our case managers, Faryal was able […]

At California Human Development (CHD), we believe that every person deserves the opportunity to have pathways created and doors opened. Our employee, Rosalina Montanez, is an excellent example of what new possibilities are in reach due to these created opportunities. Rosalina Montanez came to the United States in 1985 during the Reagan Administration in search […]

disABILITY Services like many others had to adjust and adapt to the changes that were incurred due to the pandemic. Virtual support was offered through multiple daily classes on Zoom. Adjusting to an online platform made it challenging to provide community integration for our participants. We worked tirelessly to provide a curriculum and supportive services […]

Cesar Chavez and his commitment to advocating for the farmworker is something that’s intertwined heavily with California Human Development’s (CHD) history. CHD has its roots based in supporting Cesar Chavez’s movement so much so that in fact, our founders marched with him on the frontlines of activism during the Civil Rights Era. Cesar Chavez fought […]

This past April, the women of Athena House had the opportunity to venture off the grounds of their residential community to get together in nature for a camping trip. The women of Athena House are experiencing the transformational journey of substance recovery and the outdoors and can dramatically enrich that process. Throughout Athena House’s history, […]

There is officially less than a week until California Human Development’s public hearings via zoom on May 26th and 27th! As a reminder, the Public Hearings are important for us to better understand current issues and to meet the needs of our community. It’s vital we hear the experiences, needs, and concerns of our community. […]

Our Farmworker Services & Workforce Development Division is always succeeding in finding new ways to exceed expectations. Our team is given annual performance goals to accomplish each program year for the Department of Labor for the National Farmworker Jobs Program. The goals measure a cohort’s employment rate, measurable skills gained, credentials earned, and other similar […]

Hello California Human Development, My name is Martin Molina Álvarez, I am the son of Narciso Molina and María Rita Álvarez, I have 8 siblings, 4 sisters, and 4 brothers, I am the sixth child in the family. I was born on a ranch called Tiriran in Michoacán, Mexico. Before I was born, my father […]

September was a time of growth and being in the community for California Human Development. Our team in San Joaquin was able to get out into the local community and support the area’s farmworkers through supplies distributions. These workers are essential and support the infrastructure of not just California, but our country overall. In this […]

CHD’s new affordable housing complex for farmworker families in Santa Rosa filled up quickly. Rents in these homes are capped at 30% of family income. The homes are brand new, two bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom apartments located in Santa Rosa’s Larkfield area, just south of Windsor off Old Redwood Highway near Airport. The homes, built with […]

Social justice for northern California’s poorest residents will take center stage in Napa on June 2nd as Cesar Chavez’s granddaughter keynotes The Big 50 Fiesta! The event, hosted by California Human Development (CHD), celebrates the anti-poverty agency’s 50th Anniversary and will feature a talk by Julie Chavez Rodriguez—state director to Senator Kamala Harris, former senior […]

Bright sunshine and green grass greeted a steady stream of volunteers recently at Middletown Trailside Nature Preserve. They arrived by the hundreds with shovels in hand to plant upwards of 3,000 fresh Ponderosa Pine seedlings. Their beloved county park, ravaged by fire in 2015, will soon once again be full of lush green trees. It’s a dream come true […]

No one would argue that its been a tough few years for Lake County. Prolonged drought left many farm laborers and others out of work. Then came unprecedented fires, including the devastating Valley Fire. The blazes made hundreds more homeless and unemployed. And to top it off, recent pounding rain caused flooding in Lakeport. More than 40 people […]

A new contribution to the Dream Fund is infusing more than just financial support to California Human Development’s (CHD) work for young immigrant “Dreamers,” who are protected by DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). “I believe the support of our Dream Fund very clearly signifies that many within our community stand behind our Dreamers and are opposed […]

The Times They Are a Changin’ It was the turbulent ‘60s, a time of intense strife and historic social change. Martin Luther King Jr. rallied for equal rights and Cesar Chavez called farmworkers to unite. In small town Santa Rosa, CA this passionate cry for change—for opportunity for all—struck a chord in the hearts of […]

From seasonal farmworker earning poverty wages to lead driver for El & El Wood Products in Galt! Today, Victor Perez proudly supports his growing family and is thrilled to be “living the American Dream!” A hard-working family man from Mexico, Victor spent years in California’s San Joaquin Valley making what few would consider a living […]

Northern California social service agency seeks CEO successor Today, the Board of Directors of California Human Development (CHD) announces the upcoming retirement of Christopher Paige, chief executive officer and leading advocate in the fight against poverty for farmworkers and others across northern California. The announcement kicks off a search for Paige’s successor as he works […]

Farmworkers, family and others across 11 counties to gain assistance Today, California Human Development (CHD) learned it will receive $188,000 to provide immigration services across 11 northern California counties in 2017. The funding comes from the State of California, Department of Social Services and allows important grant-funded work that began last year to continue. CHD is […]

Bi-National Health Week is in full swing in Sonoma County, offering a series of free health fairs that deliver important health services to those who often go without. Now in its 16th year, Binational Health Week addresses health disparities of the Latino community living in the U.S. and Canada.  Services are provided through a collaboration of […]

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 […]

On Monday in a historic move, the California Legislature voted in favor of new overtime laws for farmworkers. If Governor Jerry Brown signs the bill, those who tend and harvest our state’s plentiful and diverse bounty will receive overtime pay just like all other workers in the state. The bill proposes time-and-a-half pay for farm laborers […]

Four year grant to provide job training for Northern California farmworkers Excellent news coming out of Washington D.C. today in support of one of California’s most impoverished populations: the men and women who plant and harvest our state’s bounty. “California Human Development is excited and honored to announce the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a four year WIOA […]

Center provides coordinated and safe hiring, fair wage The St. Helena Day Labor Center is back in business following its temporary closure in late 2015. Operated by California Human Development, the center serves an important role in the community by offering day workers and employers an organized and safe setting to connect, arrange services, and […]

Ortiz Family Plaza to help fill critical need for affordable homes An affordable housing development to meet the needs of Sonoma County’s changing farmworker population is coming soon to Santa Rosa. California Human Development announces closing of financing for the 30 unit Ortiz Family Plaza to be located in Santa Rosa’s Larkfield-Wikiup region. Construction is […]

In this video created by Napa County,  CHD’s Angel Calderon takes you on a tour of River Ranch—one of three farmworker housing centers for seasonal laborers in Napa County. Where once these farmworkers camped in makeshift tents along the riverside or adjacent to fields, now they have warm beds, showers, and meals.  A per acre […]

In loving tribute to Martha E. Núñez, our longtime camp director. These are just a few of the thousands of smiles brought to the faces of farmworker children who experienced the very special joy of summer camp because of Martha’s dedication. Camp Núñez could never be the same without Martha but it will live on–bringing […]

A vineyard worker, a priest, and two fraternity brothers; in 1967, this unlikely foursome forged a powerful bond that’s stretched across time and geography to impact more than 700,000 lives and growing.

“Just keep going, never give up.” – Jesus Mendoza
If ever there was a story about overcoming obstacles, this is one. Born in Mexico in 1987, Jesus Mendoza came into the world with his feet crossed and tucked up close to his tiny body. He had his first operation at just three weeks old and endured many more, until at age four his heart stopped on the operating table. Doctors shocked him back to life and Jesus’ family put an end to the dangerous procedures.