Hannah Elliot

Contributing Writer

As the age-old tale goes, travel offers us opportunity, experience and, if we are lucky enough, an impact monumental enough to bring back home with us. Immokalee’s Alternative Break proved itself just that.

Contributed photos / hannah elliot

On the way down to Immakolee, Florida, the usual car bonding ensued. In getting to know one another we also discussed our expectations of the trip, knowledge of the community partners and the experience we were hoping to leave with on Saturday.

This trip ended up being more than what we thought we were getting ourselves into. It was an opportunity not only to look through the lens of a culture completely different from our own, but also to experience the hardships and triumphs through many community partners and people we met along the way.

One of the community partners we were able to learn from and work alongside was the Guadalupe Center. This center is a safe place created for the largely migrant farm-worker population, usually spanning all levels of legal status and poverty. Although the center is small, it is mighty. It provides food, clothing and a multitude of social services among them, including immigration documentation help.

The disadvantages of some people we were able to meet through sitting in with clients waiting to receive their meal tickets was impactful. These people were facing issues from immigration, low income, little education and corrupt rent and living conditions; it was humbling. Some of these people, with all that lay ahead of them, had already accomplished so much and had the determination and will to push forward to create a better life for themselves and their families here in the states.

Another community partner we were able to work with was the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. This group was a powerfully charged group of farm workers and student organizations working for social justice in the fields. Over the past 30 years they have fought for fair wages and protection from abuse in the fields and have sought to get more corporations on board for the Fair Food Movement. This movement ensures all that was listed above by having corporations only buy tomatoes from farms that adhere with the farmers’ rights.

It was inspiring to be around such passionate and empowered people pushing for civil justices through peaceful yet effective protest, art and unity. We were fortunate enough to be there during a time of their annual parade for the Fair Food Movement. We were able to take part in the art-making process by painting a parachute inscribed with the words: Respecto, Esperanza and Dignidad — Respect, Hope and Dignity. No better group of words could illustrate the movement and its people more clearly.

From the soup kitchen to the coalition, the farmers and people of Immokalee truly embody a quote I happened to pass hanging on the wall of the Coalition, “We have lost many, but we have lived the most.” Their resilience to injustices and hardship demonstrates the beauty of the human spirit and the power to overcome. Every member of the community builds together, heels together and looks forward together. No shortage of love and knowledge was shared during our time there for Alternative Break. We couldn’t be more grateful for our stay and volunteerism opportunities.