About La Plaza
About
We Facilitate our members' access to resources such as health clinics, tax preparation, and hunger and economic relief programs. La Plaza also provides direct resources onsite at our Palisade location, such as our education programs, seasonal food pantry and clothing closet.
We Advocate at the local, regional and statewide level on behalf of the migrant and immigrant communities. Locally, La Plaza supports employers and community resource providers to grow their culturally responsive and equity-based approaches that will serve our diverse community.
At La Plaza, we foster Community Building through our resource nights, social gatherings, events, and volunteer opportunities for members and the broader community, which increase our opportunities to learn from each other and generate a sense of belonging.
We Empower members through community navigation and cultural integration support. Each time a member walks through the door, we focus on building their skills and confidence. La Plaza supports members to increase their potential to self-navigate resources in the future. As an immigrant-led organization, La Plaza empowers its members to become community leaders themselves.
The migrant and immigrant agricultural workers we serve are our members. Membership represents the philosophical belief that we are building a better community together. Members join not just for their own benefit, but so that all migrant and immigrant workers in the Grand Valley can be heard, valued and supported.
Mission
&
Vision
Mission Statement
To serve, empower, and cultivate the wellbeing of migrant and immigrant agricultural workers and their families in the Grand Valley.
Vision Statement
We envision an inclusive community where immigrants and migrants are valued, respected, and have equal opportunity.
History
In 1954, local fruit growers' wives were moved to join forces to improve the living conditions of the migrant seasonal farm workers and their families in Mesa County. The efforts of Vera Foss, Margaret Talbott and Dorothy Power led the mobilization of churches and local organizations to provide basic food, clothing, medical services, and childcare to farm workers. In 1969, efforts coalesced into Community Child Care and Migrant Services, Inc, which eventually was shortened to Child and Migrant Services (CMS).
From its inception, CMS has been known to adapt its approach to best meet the needs of farm workers. Our migrant farmworker population has changed. Laws and regulations have changed and led to better conditions for migrant agricultural workers. We are still supporting some basic needs but are also addressing complex issues facing immigrant and migrant farmworkers.
Our new name reflects our change of bringing the community together to face complex challenges in a central gathering space – or La Plaza.
Margaret y Harry Talbott
