Migrant Workers
Migrant farm workers, laborers and the working poor of Palm Beach County, Florida and their families often do not qualify for state and/or federal programs and have no where to go for basic necessities like medical care. The Caridad Center formerly known as the Migrant Association of South Florida reaches out and helps this population and assists them in becoming productive citizens of the Community.
The Migrant Association of South Florida has more than 700 volunteers which include healthcare professionals as well as educational and administrative assistants. Annually, the clinic provides medical and dental care to more than 10,000 uninsured patients. With less than $1,250,000 in annual revenue, it is evident that Hands On Tzedakah can make a difference here.
Among the many services MASF provides are prescription drugs, free of charge, for those who cannot afford it and are not eligible for Medicaid. Everyday there are families whose funds limit them from choosing either to pay their rent or to put food on the table. MASF assists with emergency funds in such extreme situations. MASF provides a holiday gift program, college scholarships and a highly successful Homework Assistance Program for children in grades K-5.
Our Involvement
Hands On Tzedakah and the Migrant Association of South Florida work closely together. HOT (i) purchased a microscope used primarily for diagnosis of gynecological disorders. (ii) issued a matching grant proposal to the Migrant Association which ultimately was matched by a community organization. The combined $12,000 enabled the volunteer dentists at the clinic to see more than 1,000 additional patients each year. (iii) helped pay for eye surgery for a little 7 year old girl from Haiti who had severely crossed eyes. (iv) makes grants to MASF for emergency assistance to individuals. The grants range from utility and electric bills to temporary rental assistance. Often we pay the vendor or landlord directly after receiving adequate documentation of need from the social workers. We frequently insist that MASF or another non-profit partner with us. The aftermath of Hurricane Wilma (Click here: HOT - Hurricane Wilma) had HOT on the ground with MASF immediately providing $8,000 in assistance spread among more than 85 individuals and families-helping to make the difference between utter despair and survival.
Hands On Tzedakah is proud to announce its new partnership with Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service of South Palm Beach County, Florida and the Caridad Center. HOT is funding a half-time clinical social worker who is supervised by Ruth Rales (JFS) and who provides counseling services to the clients of Caridad. Longer range plans include the uniquely qualified bi-lingual clinician putting together a training program on-site at Caridad that engages interns from local universities to gain practical experience by treating this underserved population. While Caridad has traditionally provided free medical and dental care to a large population of migrant farm workers, laborers and the working poor of Palm Beach County, they have not had the means to offer much needed counseling services to its clientele. Bringing these two great organizations together to work in tandem fulfills HOT’s mission of both supporting essential life sustaining programs and collaborating with agencies that dedicate themselves to helping others.
Contact Information
Migrant Association of South Florida, Inc d/b/a the Caridad Center 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach, Florida 33437, Scarlett P. Fave, Social Services Coordinator. Email sfave@caridad.org, (561) 737-6336. www.caridad.org
