Puerto Rican Workers Crisis Fund
Donation protected
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to help the Puerto Rican workers stranded in Greenville, SC. Our community has risen to the challenge of providing support in this emergency and most needs have been fulfilled. Here is an update on the current situation, please be patient with us as we are doing our best to coordinate communications from several organizations.
To summarize the crisis, Hispanic Alliance was made aware of a potential labor trafficking situation, in which 140 Puerto Rican workers were fired from their jobs at Country Fresh by Joint Alliance Staffing and evicted from their housing in a local hotel. They were forced to take refuge at the Jesus El Rey Assembly of God Church in the heart of Greenville. These workers came to South Carolina on the promise of good pay and safe housing from Joint Alliance Staffing Company, and instead were stranded without the resources to live or return to Puerto Rico. For an on-the-ground report link to:
wyff4Report
The workers have been forced to revise their current plans, and some are choosing to remain in South Carolina, while others decided to return to Puerto Rico immediately.
For those who chose to make a new life in our community, advocates have mobilized to connect them with job opportunities. Approximately 38 of them are on their way to North Carolina, and the rest are still staying at Jesus el Rey. The need for food, appropriate bedding and personal care items has been fulfilled. However, the Hispanic Alliance has set up this secure donation link for those wishing to provide funds for the worker's long-term care.
It goes without saying that the road to stability for those who have been exploited will be long and difficult. Your donations will help individuals affected by this crisis to have a better start to their life in South Carolina.
To summarize the crisis, Hispanic Alliance was made aware of a potential labor trafficking situation, in which 140 Puerto Rican workers were fired from their jobs at Country Fresh by Joint Alliance Staffing and evicted from their housing in a local hotel. They were forced to take refuge at the Jesus El Rey Assembly of God Church in the heart of Greenville. These workers came to South Carolina on the promise of good pay and safe housing from Joint Alliance Staffing Company, and instead were stranded without the resources to live or return to Puerto Rico. For an on-the-ground report link to:
wyff4Report
The workers have been forced to revise their current plans, and some are choosing to remain in South Carolina, while others decided to return to Puerto Rico immediately.
For those who chose to make a new life in our community, advocates have mobilized to connect them with job opportunities. Approximately 38 of them are on their way to North Carolina, and the rest are still staying at Jesus el Rey. The need for food, appropriate bedding and personal care items has been fulfilled. However, the Hispanic Alliance has set up this secure donation link for those wishing to provide funds for the worker's long-term care.
It goes without saying that the road to stability for those who have been exploited will be long and difficult. Your donations will help individuals affected by this crisis to have a better start to their life in South Carolina.
Organizer
Adela Mendoza
Organizer
Greenville, SC