Isabela and Juan
After losing two children due to poor medical care, competing for limited resources, and being discriminated against by their own government, Isabela and Juan decided to migrate to the US. They left Guatemala in search of safety, work, education and an accessible health care.
Isabela and Juan have been married for some time and have two wonderful kids, their country of origin Guatemala did not provide them a safe and fulfilled future, but they never lost hope and continued to push forward for the betterment of their family.
They arrived in Centreville, VA in 2017 where they began to look for work and Isabela ‘s brother recommended the Labor Resource Center. They waited for work every day at 6am and thankfully were able to go on many jobs that have led to both temporary and steady employment.
The Labor Resource Center has provided new economic and social opportunities for Juan and Isabela. They enjoy CIF’s social and cultural events and feel happy to build community and help others. They have attended English, Family Reunification, Painting, and Computer classes because education and continued growth is important to them. They have supported CIF’s advocacy work for better immigration laws and have shown their children that their voice is important in defending and fighting for their rights.
COVID was a difficult time for all, despite the difficulties Isabela and Juan used their skills and abilities to interpret from Spanish to Ixil so members of the community could receive important information. Ixil is a native Mayan Language that is spoken by the vast majority of CIF’s membership base. The pair helped to explain the importance of vaccines, and broke down the spread of misinformation through language access. They volunteered at vaccine clinics hosted at the Labor Resource Center and at local churches. They also worked with the International Mayan League and formed a local outreach group called “Promotores Ixiles” to share important information within their community.
Isabela and Juan have enjoyed being part of the “Directiva” or working Board of Directors, to continue to help those that have newly arrived and share their story and experiences to help encourage community and leadership. CIF has been a big help to their family, through advice, assistance, and referral from staff and volunteers. The family’s immigration case has been advancing along and they are happy to have Social Security cards and represent the wonderful and important immigrant community here in the United States!
Ilson
Ilson needed money. He was eating at a restaurant talking to his daughter on the phone about how didn’t have work. Once he finished his conversation another client overheard him and told him about how he waits for work at the Labor Resource Center. He felt excited and soon visited the center where he now waits for work various days of the week. He spends time building relationships and motivating his fellow community members, and participates in activities and classes during center hours. He has built a reputation through his work as a dedicated and sought after employee.
Ilson had come to the US to visit his brother who he hadn’t seen for 17 years. He has seven children in Belize and was desperate to help his family. When he came to the US he began to help his brother work and support his children by sending money for necessities and better education.
Ilson has had many jobs, but he feels most comfortable at the Labor Resource Center – for him the individuals he has worked for through the center have been very good, and trustworthy employers. He’s also found a big family within CIF’s community.
The Labor Resource Center and CIF have been a big help for Ilson and his family. Thanks to this support he has friends, and arrives early to the center to participate in classes, get a bite to eat and wait for work. He also enjoys attending social and cultural events and relies on the resources and advice given to him from staff and volunteers. He is hopeful in the process of his court case and obtaining legal status to continue to grow and receive more opportunities for himself and his family.
Hiram
Hiram walks confidently into the Centreville Labor Resource Center as he picks up workers for various construction projects. It was not too long ago he arrived at the center with a different need, for work to support himself and his family. Soon after he’d arrived from Guatemala in 2018, Hiram started to wait for work at the labor center. He decided to move his family because of high crime rates, and better opportunities for his children. “Teachers at the school would come drunk or smell of alcohol, what kind of future is that for my children.” During that time he took advantage of the resources available to him as a member, participating in English and skills building classes. He even brought his daughter to many classes and events at CIF, where she was able to share in the community her dad was building.
Through the hard work and advocacy efforts by CIF staff and partner organizations, the legislation was passed for Driver Privilege Cards in Virginia. This was an avenue for Hiram to drive and opened up doors for employment opportunities. He began working with an employer that was arranged through the center, and after a few weeks he was impressed with his work and offered him steady employment.
He’s now been regularly employed for 3 years and promoted to foreman. He now has an opportunity to hire from the center. He is happy to give back to the community and to the place that invested in his growth. He and his family have grown in his near 5 years in the US and is thankful to share his story to promote growth, and empowerment in others.