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Friends of Farmworkers is a statewide legal services program which was formed in 1975 to
provide assistance to poor migrant and seasonal farm workers. The organization has provided
representation to thousands of individual farm workers and mushroom workers in Pennsylvania
and has affected thousands more through class actions by provisions for injunctive and
declaratory relief. A special project expanding work to other low-wage immigrant workers is
also being developed.
Approximately 49,500 migrant and seasonal farm workers work or reside in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, virtually all of whom are poor and people of color. They are subject to widespread employment related abuses including: minimum wage violations; substandard labor camp housing; theft of social security contributions; exposure to hazardous chemicals; violations of rights under federal and state protective statutes; and threats, intimidation and outright physical abuse by crew leaders in some instances. They are desperately in need of legal assistance to address those problems. Students with strong Spanish language skills and demonstrated interest in low-income communities are encouraged to apply. Candidates with other language skills, including Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese or Khmer, will also be considered. The Peggy Browning Fund intern will assist on individual cases which include a great deal of client contact. There will be exposure to public advocacy and client education. Students interested in applying to Friends of Farmworkers for a Peggy Browning Fund internship should submit an application package to:
Karen Detamore, Executive Director
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