b'F a r m w o r k e r c o n v e n t i o n m a k e s i t s d e b u t i n P e s c a d e r oIn March 2024, a unique event made history in Pescadero: a farmworker convention was organized by and for farmworkers, and itattracted more than 150 participants, from places as varied as Half Moon Bay, Watsonville, and Salinas.The event was the first time most local farmworkers had been to a conference, let alone organized one. Puente and its partner,Coastside Hope, worked for months to help a group of local farmworkers conceive and execute an experience that would leaveeveryone feeling inspired, empowered with new skills, and united in their struggles and stories. People looked comfortable that daythey were laughing out loud, even though it was a new experience for most of them. It wasa place of belonging, a place in which they could speak their minds about the real issues that they face. And thats really what wewanted to achieve, says Arlae Alston, Puentes Program Director.Astronaut Jose Hernandez, talking with local The one-day convention was structured around two keynote speakersSarahi Espinosa, founder and Executive of DREAMersfarmworkers. Roadmap, and Jos M. Hernndez, a migrant farmworker turned astronautplus two panels of farmworkers and a series ofEl astronauta Jos Hernndez, platicando con workshops. Outside the meeting area, 20 community-serving organizations provided information on everything from bike helmettrabajadores agrcolas. safety to free water testing, signed people up for trainings, and registered them to vote. All the programming was in Spanish, andcontent was fitted to serve people of all literacy levels.Speaker Jos M. Hernndez offered an unforgettable speech about his personal journey from the fields to his career as anastronaut. He motivated the kids that were there, because he was able to share his story and inspire all of us to continue doing thework were doing, and to push us to meet our dreams, reflects Rogelio Nabor Martinez, one of the local farmworkers who helpedplan the convention along with the planning committee, all of whom worked hard for months. One of the most eye-opening moments, at least for the men in the audience, was the all-female panel where speakers sharedfrank details about their experiences on the job as women, including sexual harassment. Even if it was just for a day, I like to think that everyone got to share their wins, their struggles, their expectations, their hopes,says Judith Guerrero, Executive Director of Coastside Hope. The convention was such a success that the next one is already planned for 2026 in Half Moon Bay.Maybe the second or third time, we will make the convention much bigger, so that we continue to show the community that if weare united, we can make a change, says Martinez. 7 0 v o l u n t e e r s s u p p o r t e d w i t h c o n v e n t i o n l o g i s t i c s .18'