• Local, State and Federal Advocacy

• In collaboration with the Florida Catholic Conference, Florida Impact, Florida Legal Services and Farmworkers Organizations, OFFM engages in advocacy for new legislation as well as monitors compliance with existing state and federal laws so that workers can be aware of their rights and responsibilities under national and state laws.

• OFFM staff serves on the boards and committees of various state and local organizations carrying the needs of this community.

 

• Faith Development

• OFFM organizes periodic retreats for the community at large as well as  staff and volunteers to strengthen relationship to God, our Earth and each other.

• OFFM organizes religious rituals around culturally important faith moments, such as Guadalupe, the Posadas, and National Farmworker and Immigrants week.

• OFFM supports the development of basic Christian communities in the young adult and adult communities.

• Family Ministry

• OFFM staff and volunteers visit workers and their families in their homes and work places to see their reality first hand and offer need for support for strengthening family unity.

• OFFM offers weekly family nurturing parenting program in which the whole family (adults, youth and children) improves their self-esteem, communications, discipline, and conflict resolution skills working towards greater family unity.

• OFFM  resources families when professional help is needed in conflict and abusive situations.

• OFFM informs families of local resources of support for physical and/or financial needs.

• Education

• OFFM through its Notre Dame Americorps Volunteers and staff serve the need for educational advocacy and support for farmworker and immigrant youth in elementary, middle and high school within the public school system so that they receive quality education.

• OFFM provides training countywide to parents as well as local school's parent organizations as to their rights and responsibilities under federal and state laws.

• OFFM has educated parents through county and local church organizations in the 40 developmental assets youth need to become fully functioning adults and to reduce the growing youth violence in the community.

• OFFM offers one day, weekend or week immersion experiences, within the farmworker reality, to youth and adults in parishes, schools or organizations.

• OFFM outreaches to church and non-church communities to educate and animate service in collaboration with farmworker and immigrant communities and their organizations.

         

• Youth Ministry

• OFFM offers farmworker and immigrant youth the following services on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis:

  • weekly and bi-weekly youth group meetings

  • quarterly faith development retreats

  • monthly leadership training

  • twice weekly tutoring and mentoring sessions

  • quarterly nature outings and cultural enrichment experiences

  • creative writing, photography and drama projects

  • summer camp experiences

  • bi-monthly anti-drug and violence meetings for high risk youth

  • See "The Last Harvest":  A History and Tribute to the Life and Work of Farmworkers on Lake Apopka, a  photo documentary exhibit co-created with Crealde' School of Art.