In the wake of record precipitation levels that wreaked havoc across California, Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS), a Half Moon Bay based Latino centric non profit, emerged as a beacon of hope for farm workers and their families. Founded in 2011, ALAS is dedicated to fostering cultural pride among children and families, doubling up as a sanctuary of support.

Under its umbrella, a plethora of initiatives spearheaded by devoted volunteers, staff, and families have flourished. These include holistic mental health services, rigorous case management, immigration assistance, educational programs, and social justice advocacy.

Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, ALAS’s dynamic Executive Director highlighted the urgency of their mission. “The earlier we intervene and provide assistance, the better equipped families are to weather such crises,” she stressed, speaking to the nonprofit’s swift response in the face of bureaucratic slowdowns.

For many affected by the floods, acquiring basic necessities like food became a staggering challenge. Recognizing this, ALAS‘s crisis food pantry, originally instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic, ramped up its operations. Hernandez-Arriaga reports that the food pantry has witnessed an unprecedented surge in beneficiaries.

But the adversities run deeper than financial constraints. With the floods decimating roads, many farm workers found themselves stranded, unable to leave their homes or workstations. Hernandez-Arriaga underscores the gravity of the situation: “It’s imperative that we, as organizations, strategize to reach these remote farm worker communities.”

In its relentless pursuit to bridge this gap, ALAS has pioneered several outreach programs. Notable among them are their weekly water deliveries to Coastside farms, consistent collaboration with entities like Coastside Hope and Second Harvest Food Bank for grocery distributions, and the innovative Farmworker Friday initiative, where different sponsors provide lunch to farmworkers on a rotating basis.

Adding another feather to its cap, ALAS rolled out the Farmworker Equity Express Bus at the close of 2022. This state of the art mobile resource hub is fitted with amenities like wifi enabled laptops, telehealth provisions, and a treasure trove of educational and artistic materials. Hernandez-Arriaga passionately voiced the necessity of such endeavors: “We’ve witnessed the isolation farmworkers endure due to their demanding schedules. It’s crucial we meet them where they are.”

The challenge is far from over. Repercussions of the floods persist, with farm workers grappling with its economic aftershocks. But with stalwarts like ALAS at the helm, these communities are not only finding relief from the past deluge but are also being equipped to face impending floods with resilience.