The Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program was created by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) and the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) to prepare Napa County high school students for careers in our world class wine industry. During the 8-week program, students gain first-class industry experience and develop professional skills in hospitality, wine production, grape growing, human resources, and accounting, with some of the world’s most forward-thinking wine producers.
Through the FWF and NVG’s ongoing partnership with the Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD), the program is promoted to high school students from a range of backgrounds. To apply, students must be 16 years or older, able to commit to an 8-week program, have interest in learning about a career in the wine industry, and a positive attitude and willingness to learn new skills. All applicants are put through an interview process, with priority extending to students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. When selected, students are placed with an employer mentor, and receive a soft skill workshop schedule covering topics, such as: financial literacy; mental health; resume writing; professional networking on social media; history of the Napa Valley; leadership stories and lessons; and goal setting. Montserrat Granados, a student from the 2021 graduating class, said about her Fields of Opportunity experience, "I liked working outside, especially in the mornings. We did things like collect sugar samples or scouted for pests. Before this summer, I wasn't thinking about a job in this field, but now after working at Hall Wines under viticulturist Sarah Lansing, I am considering working in the wine industry.” For Montserrat, the program left a lasting impression. The large number of qualified applicants is a positive challenge; creating opportunity for more employer mentors to get involved. In 2021, for example, FWF and NVG initially planned to place 16 students with employer mentors. When 80 student applications were received, additional outreach was made to employers; in the end, 23 students were placed, all of whom completed the program. In 2022, the organizations hope to double student placements with support from new employer mentors who want to impact a young life by introducing them to the wine industry and sharing their passion for the field. Past employers included many of Napa’s most recognized wineries and vineyard management companies such as: Foley Family Wines; Hall Wines; Hudson Ranch, Jericho Canyon Vineyards; Larkmead Vineyards; Napa Wine Company; Opus One; Pine Ridge Vineyards; Renteria Vineyard Management; Tres Sabores; V. Sattui Winery; Viader Vineyards & Winery; Walsh Vineyards Management; and Yount Mill Vineyards. “Over the past 4 years, Napa Wine Company and Yount Mill Vineyards have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the Fields of Opportunity program through mentorship. We feel it is crucial to support the next generation because they represent the future of our local community,” said Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko, business manager for Napa Wine Company and Yount Mill Vineyards. “It goes both ways, though, through mentorship we learn how to continually hone our management skills, which reinvigorates our love for the business itself.” The Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program has begun outreach to employer mentors for the 2022 program, which will be held June 20 - August 12. If you are interested in joining as an employer mentor, learn more here or email Jill Durfee, Farmworker Foundation Program Manager, at jdurfee@napagrowers.org. For press inquiries related to the Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program, please email Caroline Keller, NVG Marketing Manager, at ckeller@napagrowers.org.
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Michael Alvarez, Cal /OSHA Outreach Trainer, reviews night work safety requirements in this new 20 minute video. The video is available in both English and Spanish and includes an explanation of the night work standards issued July 1, 2020, illumination levels required for different tasks, and a description of how to use the Extech LT40 Light Meter. Michael Álvarez, capacitador de Cal /OSHA, da un repaso a los requisitos de seguridad en el trabajo nocturno en este nuevo video de 20 minutos. El video está disponible en inglés y español e incluye una explicación de las normas de trabajo nocturno emitidas el 1 de julio de 2020, los niveles de iluminación requeridos para las diferentes tareas y una descripción de cómo utilizar el medidor de luz LT40 de Extech.
Congratulations to the 23 students who completed the 8-week Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity summer mentor program today! Our hats are off to each of them for dedicating their summer to experience a career in the wine industry. They are graduating with flying colors. Thank you to these amazing Napa Valley Grapegrowers members for going above and beyond to provide guidance for the next generation!
Foley Family Wines Hall Wines Hudson Ranch Jericho Canyon Vineyards Larkmead Vineyards Napa Wine Company Opus One Pine Ridge Vineyards Renteria Vineyard Management Tres Sabores V. Sattui Winery Viader Vineyards & Winery Walsh Vineyards Management Yount Mill Vineyards The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation is pleased to announce they are now on WhatsApp, our first Spanish-only communication channel. WhatsApp is a free messaging app used by over 2 billion people in more than 180 countries. We encourage you to join today and share the link with others to receive these benefits:
Here is how to connect with us:
Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation se complace en anunciar que ya están en WhatsApp, nuestro primer canal de comunicación sólo en español. WhatsApp es una app de mensajería gratuita utilizada por más de 2.000 millones de personas en más de 180 países.
Te invitamos a unirte hoy y a compartir el enlace con otros para recibir estos beneficios:
Conecta de la siguiente manera con nosotros:
Emergency Financial Assistance is available for homeowners and renters whose primary residence in Napa County was damaged or destroyed by the LNU Fire Complex or Glass Fire and for workers who live in Napa County facing economic hardship as a result of the firestorms. Aid is available to all people living in Napa County regardless of immigration status or previous COVID-19 assistance.
Emergency financial assistance will be provided to qualified applicants until June 30, 2021. Call the Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund at (707) 965-5010 to see if you qualify. Space is currently available at the Farmworker Housing Centers in Napa, St. Helena, and Calistoga.
Each center provides clean, safe and affordable housing for Napa County farmworkers. Cost is $14 per day, which includes a shared room, three meals daily (Monday through Saturday), hot water and a laundry facility. For more information, please contact the center site manager on the flyer. Napa Valley Grapegrowers members and Napa County farmworkers are eligible to receive free technical support for grant applications through our partner Morrison. These grant programs provide financial assistance for a variety of projects that address environmental concerns, water & air quality, improved soil health, irrigation efficiency, value-added marketing programs, reduced soil erosion, renewable energy, and more.
The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) is excited to announce a donation of over $60,000 in support of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation’s (SHHF) COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Donations were generously contributed through a matching grant program, with the FWF and an anonymous donor matching donations dollar-for-dollar.
The fundraising campaign’s success was made possible through the outpouring of monetary support from donors within the FWF and Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) communities. This donation follows an earlier $10,000 contribution when the vaccine clinic first opened, making the FWF’s total gift over $70,000 to-date. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and St. Helena Hospital Foundation have partnered throughout the pandemic to prioritize the health and safety of essential farmworkers. In July, the FWF and NVG jointly funded the pilot program of SHHF’s mobile testing unit, which since then has successfully provided nearly 15,000 in-the-field COVID-19 tests for vineyard and winery workers. FWF’s most recent donation comes as the state focus has shifted toward the equitable distribution of vaccines among eligible sectors of the community. Napa County's farmworkers have provided essential work throughout the pandemic, and the SHHF has proven its commitment to the agricultural community and the community-at-large during these challenging times, putting Napa’s farmworkers and agricultural community first, from their very first day of vaccines two months ago. To date, their clinic has administered nearly 20,000 vaccines, with over 10,000 vaccines that have gone to farmworkers. “Since the pandemic began, the Farmworker Foundation has been a true community partner, first with their support of the mobile testing unit and now with our COVID-19 vaccination clinic,” said Glen Newhart, President and CEO, St. Helena Hospital Foundation, “We value this ongoing partnership and share the goal of providing essential ag workers direct, safe, and secure access to vaccines and important COVID-19 resources.” While vaccine supply has posed challenges across the state, the SHHF team, with the support of the FWF and Napa County, designed a streamlined companywide sign-up program to ensure Napa’s farm-working community has continued access to vaccine appointments. Since this program began in February, FWF, along with NVG, have provided 500 hours of bilingual staff support, helping with scheduling, Spanish-translation, various site needs, and check-in at both the SHHF clinic and the Napa County vaccine clinic locations. The FWF is proud to support equitable access to vaccines through the SHHF's efforts. This critical funding will be used to assist SHHF in continuing vaccination efforts via the streamlined, companywide vaccination sign-up process. To speak with a Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation representative, please email Caroline Keller, Marketing Manager, ckeller@napagrowers.org The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) participated in a brand-new end of year giving program in December, distributing 250 Copperfield's Books gift cards to farmworkers and their families. The program was made possible by the Wells Fargo Foundation, long- time supporters of the FWF.
“The Wells Fargo Foundation is committed to supporting our community, especially during these difficult times. This grant is a small token of our appreciation for the essential role farmworkers have played in keeping our economy going,” said Denise Miles, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Social Impact & Sustainability. “We are proud to collaborate with the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation to do something special for the children of farmworkers.” The gift cards were used as tokens of gratitude following a year of unexpected events, affecting many within Napa County’s agricultural community; parents and children used their cards to purchase books, games, and stuffed animals during the holidays. “The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation’s December giving program was an opportunity to thank the hardworking farmworker community,” said Jill Durfee, Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation program manager. “Sharing gift cards to a local bookstore aligned with our mission to support and promote farmworkers through education.” For more information on programs offered through the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, please refer to www.farmworkerfoundation.org To speak with a Farmworker Foundation representative regarding the laptop lending program, please email info@farmworkerfoundation.org |
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