Our story: From a Small Gathering to a Regional Movement
Some say the idea for a coalition of farmworker-serving agencies in Western New York began as far back as 1990 — a vision passed from one advocate to another, born from shared concern for the lives and dignity of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
We don’t have an exact date or how, but what we know is we have a story — one built from memory, determination, and the unshakable belief that together, we could do more.
Our Executive Director recalls joining the Coalition in the spring of 2011. At that time, it was just nine people from six organizations sitting around a table at PathStone Corporation in Albion, united by a simple goal: to make sure farmworkers and their families were seen, heard, and supported.
From that modest beginning, a movement began to grow. In 2012, we designed our first logo and, together with the Migrant Education Program, created a Shared Directory of Services to bring resources directly to the farms. A year later, in January 2013, the group adopted a new name — the Western NY Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies, Inc. We drafted bylaws, formalized partnerships, and hosted the first Annual Outreach Worker Training, an event that continues to this day.
As the needs of farmworker families expanded, so did our vision. To sustain the outreach workers who were often the first point of contact for families in crisis, we decided to formalize our structure. In July 2018, the Coalition became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and by December 2018, we secured federal tax-exempt status with the assistance of LawNY. By then, nearly 30 organizations had joined our cause.
That same year, we hosted Family Preparedness Clinics across Western New York in partnership with the Worker Justice Center of NY, the Cornell Farmworker Program, and the Volunteer Legal Services Project. These clinics helped families complete Parental Designation Forms, meet with immigration attorneys, and prepare for emergencies — providing peace of mind in uncertain times.
Our network began to flourish. We launched quarterly networking events to connect agencies and share opportunities for collaboration, and we celebrated the end of each season with the End of Harvest Networking Celebration, a joyful space for reflection and renewal.
Together with partners, we supported the Mexican Consulate’s visits to rural areas — helping hundreds of Mexican nationals obtain critical identification documents. We co-sponsored community events like the Copa Oak Orchard Soccer Tournament, and the Christmas Fiesta, which gave hundreds of children and families a joyful holiday celebration filled with food, crafts, and gifts.
We also stood alongside farmworker advocates in the Green Light Campaign and Farmworker Justice Campaign, co-sponsoring Rural & Migrant Ministry’s town halls and ensuring that farmworkers’ voices reached policymakers.
All of this was done through the dedication of a volunteer Board and partners who refused to give up — even when funding was scarce.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, inequities that had long affected farmworkers became painfully visible. Many lived in crowded housing without access to protective equipment or health information. Despite being essential to our food system, they were not initially prioritized for vaccination. By 2021, we brought on our first contracted employees, aim to tackle vaccine hesitancy, distribute information, and connect farmworkers to care. Shortly after we launched our Hotline and a “boots-on-the-ground” outreach model that continues to guide us. We maintained an emergency fund to provide food, shelter, and medical aid to farmworkers in crisis, while expanding into advocacy and education around health and safety.
Since 2022
In 2022, we launched our Anti-Labor Trafficking Program, providing case management and legal support for survivors. The following year, our long-time Board Chair and co-founder became our first full-time Executive Director, leading a growing team of 6 amazing staff super heroes and network of 48 partner organizations across Western New York and the Finger Lakes.
Together, we have:
Delivered outreach and education to over 10,000 immigrant workers,
Provided case management to more than 800 individuals,
Coordinated the Annual Outreach Worker Conference,
Coordinated Outreach Events, such as the Christmas Fiesta, School Supplies Giveaways, Health Fairs, and more.
Opened over 1,500 new cases, and
Offered legal representation for survivors of labor trafficking and other immigrants in need to access legal services through DOJ recognition and accreditation.
During COVID-19
Today, our work continues under a new name: Enlace Services, Inc. (dba Enlace) — a name that means link, connection, and synergy. It reflects who we have always been: a bridge between people, communities, and resources.
Our mission is to promote justice, dignity and equity for migrants and farmworkers through advocacy, education, outreach and direct services. We empower our communities to achieve self-sufficiency by fostering collaboration among partners.
From a handful of advocates gathered around a table in 2011 to a regional coalition transforming lives across Western New York, our story is one of persistence, partnership, and hope.
We are Enlace.
And our work continues — linking hearts, migrant and farmworker communities, to opportunities for a more just future.