DES participates in the 21st Annual Dia Del Campesino in Yuma

More than 25 colleagues from the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) took part in the 21st annual Dia Del Campesino (Day of the Farm Worker) last Saturday in Yuma. Community organizations came together to honor the seasonal migrant farm workers who cross the border daily to work the agricultural fields in the area. The event began at 3:00 a.m. to allow the farm workers time to take advantage of the event. The workers were provided a hot breakfast, free medical and dental checkups, flu shots, and other resources before they boarded buses to start the day. More than 2,000 workers and their families attend the event.

DERS colleagues were present to hand out resource materials and clothing gathered from staff from across the state that collected and donated used clothing and shoes to give to the workers. “This year we collected almost one hundred large garbage bags of clothing,” said Peggy Feenan, Employment Administration Deputy Program Administrator. “The workers were able to come through the line and take items for themselves and their families. The DERS staff statewide who donated should be proud of the work they did to help these families.”

The Department wants to give a special shout out to not only the workers who donated clothes, but to the workers who participated at 3:00 a.m. on a cold Saturday morning. “The kindness and support our colleagues provide to these workers is just one more example of why DES is not only the best agency in Arizona, but will soon be the best agency in the nation,” said Director Jeffries.