(256) Migrant Center Fund

The Migrant Center provides quality housing for Migrant families who work in agriculture. There are 59, 2-bedroom units and 8, 3-bedroom units, furnished with beds, kitchen table and chairs, dressers as well as stove and refrigerator. Each unit comes with their own private bathroom. There are two laundry facilities on site as well as a large park, picnic area and a basketball court. The facility has its own private entrance.

Due to the nature of the funding, the Migrant Center division's operation and program funding are recorded in a separate special revenue fund 256.

• Through Farmworker Relief Drive, partnered with Assemblyman Robert Rivas office to provide emergency food supplies as well as personal hygiene products, diapers and wipes for all families that reside here.
• Networks with local organizations such as First5 San Benito, Community Food Bank of San Benito County, Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation and other organizations to provide better supportive services for not only the Hollister Migrant Center residents but also the Farm working community in San Benito County.
• We’re proud to say that we never closed our doors to the Public during the start of the pandemic. We have a very small staff and we were here providing services to both our residents as well as farm workers who were interested in housing or other resources. The operational plan was modified for the well-being of staff and households including social distancing, placing hand sanitizer outside the door for all to put on before they came in and mandatory use of masks. A group of Latina moms from Halfmoon Bay provided the center with 1,000 masks to give to the residents as well as other farmworkers that have come in looking for services.

• Winter Shelter rents go to the state and don’t get returned to this migrant center so if there are repairs that need to be made, funding issues come up.
• There are four organizations running four different programs at this location with a potential 5th program. While the Migrant Center and Farm Labor camp have a manager on-site, issues come up with the trailers (Community Services Development Corporation) as well as the Winter Shelter. It’s difficult to communicate effectively and have concerns addressed in a timely matter because of the disconnect.

• Have internet capabilities for all residents, whether it is a Wi-Fi connection at a centralized location or the ability for residents to get their own service at their unit.
• Have a community multi-purpose room for residents to have after-school tutoring, daycare, playroom, adult education courses such as ESL, indoor party rental as well as to host resident’s council meetings.
• Revise current rules and guidelines to maximize the use of the center for farmworkers that are working for an extended period of time (5-9 months in the area).