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Purpose of Raíces The Raíces Initiative (“Raíces”) of the Diocese of Yakima Housing Services (DYHS) is a faith based effort intended to work alongside Agricultural Worker and low income individuals and families to help identify and address social systems, public policies and attitudes that adversely impact them. These systems, policies and attitudes many times lead to marginalization, prejudice and the unjust treatment of this population. The Raíces Initiative also seeks to work to educate and empower the Agricultural Worker and low income community as individuals and collectively enabling them to organize to action to better the quality of their lives. In particular, we work with the Tenant Associations of the housing developments owned and managed by DYHS to recruit, educate and seek leadership for the work of the Raíces Initiative.
Raíces Background To help accomplish the stated purpose of Raíces, the DYHS has assisted with the formation of the Raíces Corporation, a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. The Corporation held its first membership meeting in April 2005 and the first Board of Directors was elected. To support this work, DYHS has been able to secure support from the Raíces membership, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), and other private and faith based sources. With assistance from CCHD and others, DYHS will work with the Raíces Board and membership to provide assistance with organizational training, issues identification, goal setting and action planning on identified issues. DYHS has made a long-term commitment to assist with and support the organizing work of the Raíces Board of Directors and membership.
Structure for Raíces Membership and Board of Directors Any person supportive of the purpose of Raíces is eligible to become a member of Raíces. Membership is achieved by stating a willingness to support the purpose of Raíces and paying the required annual dues. The Board of Directors for the Raíces Corporation is comprised of 7 members who are Agricultural Workers or low income individuals and 2 members who are employees of DYHS. The Raíces Board of Directors is required to meet a minimum of 3 times per year and the Corporation holds one annual meeting with members where officers of the Board are elected for the coming year. The Board of Directors will carry out the will of the membership and solicit their engagement in the work of initiatives as identified by the membership and Board and supported by DYHS. The Future of RaícesThe future of the Raíces Initiative is filled with promise and potential. Working with the Tenant Associations of the DYHS housing developments, plans are to continue to recruit members from this source as well as enlist the Associations to be the basis for Raíces education and organizing efforts. We will also seek to recruit “Institutional” and other members for Raíces. Institutional members are those persons in decision-making positions for entities and structures that implement policies and actions that can potentially impact low income persons either for good or for bad. Plans for 2006 are to: 1) Educate the Board of Directors and membership in the elements of organizational development and function, 2) Assist the Board and membership with identifying issues deemed priority to the purposes of Raíces, and 3) Assist with the execution plans of action addressing those issues identified as priority by the Board and membership.
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Casa Guadalupe - Chelan ~ New Life Villa – Mabton ~ San Isidoro – Granger Serving Children and Families |
