Worker Justice Center of NY: Partnership Spotlight #9!

The Worker Justice Center of NY’s mission is to pursue justice for those denied human rights, with a focus on agricultural and other low-wage workers, through legal representation, community empowerment, and advocacy for institutional change. Originally founded in 1981 through Legal Services of New York, WJCNY was established in late 2011 through the merger of Farmworker Legal Services with the Hudson Valley-based Workers’ Rights Law Center. WJCNY is currently staffed with 20 full-time employees and 6 volunteer attorneys - and is able to reach 15,000 people per year, most of whom are migrant or immigrant families and individuals. The Ascienzo Family Foundation was able to grant the Worker Justice Center of NY $25,000! This grant will help WJCNY hire a full-time Worker Rights Advocate in the Hudson Valley. (Currently, only a temporary employee is employed.)  This full-time advocate will distribute “know-your-rights” material to 2,000 immigrant workers and advocates, conduct 25 virtual or in-person community legal education trainings or workshops, and facilitate access to legal support for 50 workers facing employment or immigration-related challenges, and so much more.