Who We Are And Who We Serve

Picture

Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund (MFAF) is based in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1984, MFAF’s services were organized originally as part of Migrant Farmworkers Project (MFP), a project of Legal Aid of Western Missouri.  MFAF was established as a separate non-profit in 1998, and was accorded 501c3 IRS status in 2003.  MFAF serves and empowers Missouri’s migrant and seasonal farmworkers.  MFAF’s staff meet with migrant farmworkers when they first arrive at the orchards in late summer to determine their eligibility for public benefits, for medical and dental services, and to complete school enrollment forms.  From then until workers migrate elsewhere, MFAF seeks to meet critical needs and assist with a variety of health and other issues.  For those families that settle in the area, ongoing assistance is provided.

Objectives

  • Help farmworkers meet emergency material needs.
  • Provide health education, healthcare, advocacy, and individual medical and dental case management.
  • Provide referrals for legal advice and/or representation.
  • Promote personal and communal growth and development through educational opportunities and leadership training.
  • Raise community awareness about migrant farmworkers’ lives and the challenges they face.

Congrats to our 2017 graduates and their families!

Jacquelin Garcia – Santa Fe High SchoolEstrella Martinez – Santa Fe High School

Virginia Ayala – State of Missouri high school diploma

Joel Granados, Jr.- Penn Valley Community College AA

Picture

Picture


Annual 10,000 Villages Benefit

Every year, 10,000 Villages of Overland Park, Ks holds a shopping event and donates 15% of the proceeds of purchases of their artisan and fair trade products to MFAF. This year, the event will be from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3rd at their store located at 7947 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Ks. Please save the date for this special annual event.

Mission and Vision

No human being is illegal. Migrant farmworkers, like others, have fundamental rights to healthcare, education, and meaningful participation in society. MFAF serves, accompanies, and advocates for these unique and often marginalized people.

MFAF Requests Donations

The following is a wish list of items MFAF is currently collecting for distribution to farmworkers and their families. The items in greatest demand include:

  • New Backpacks
  • Brown paper grocery bags
  • Reusable cloth grocery bags
  • White Rice (not instant)
  • Pinto Beans (dry)
  • Spanish language children’s books (new or gently used)
  • Children’s board books
  • Clean blankets
  • Children’s winter coats and sweatshirts
  • Baseball caps
  • Natural Tears eye drops
  • Sunblock ( SPF 30+)
  • Bandanas
  • Ziplock bags (Quart & Gallon size only)
  • disposable Diapers (sizes 4,5,6)

If you are interested in setting up a collection drive at your school or faith community, please contact us and view our flyer of needs here.


REACH Foundation Features MFAF in 2015 Annual Report

The REACH Foundation featured MFAF as one of their “partner stories” in their 2015 annual report. The front cover photo is Tina Moore, FNP, at the Rodgers-Lafayette Clinic, in Lexington, with one of our patients. Elizabeth, MFAF Program Director, accompanied and interpreted for the child and her mom at the appointment. Elizabeth’s photo is in the partner story with two adult patients. See some of the photos in the gallery below, and click on the “Partner Stories” in the report here.

Hunger Relief

Weekly food bags * USDA commodities* emergency food vouchers upon arrival in Missouri * meals during ESL classes * meals for Youth Group meetings * Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program translation and coordination * snacks at Women’s Group meetings * snacks at tutoring sessions * classes on budgeting and preparing healthy meals * applications for school lunch and other food assistance programs *

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Education Advocacy and Youth Enrichment

Youth Group * after school tutoring sessions * Parents as Teachers facilitation * Head Start facilitation * translation of parent/teacher conferences * college visits * scholarship and financial aid paperwork assistance * summer camp and leadership development * job shadowing experiences * GED class coordination * English as a Second Language classes * Women’s Group education sessions *

Health Promotion and Medical Case Management

Monday night medical clinics *  case management for clients medical or dental needs * prenatal services and accompaniment * health education * lead testing * pesticide training * referrals for applications for Medicaid, Medicare and Affordable Care Act* well child checks and immunizations *

Legal Referrals

Immigration case analysis and representation * applications for family benefits and naturalization * migrant legal issues * public benefits eligibility *