Rural & Migrant Ministry (RMM) will host “Cultivating Justice & Growing Together,” an open house fundraiser, on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 2 to 6 p.m. at its Amandla Rural Worker Education Center at573 Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Center.
Through an interactive, open-house style gathering, guests will have the opportunity to engage with RMM’s grassroots programs, connect with community members, and enjoy cultural music.
Since 1981, Rural & Migrant Ministry has stood with rural and migrant communities throughout New York State, “working to overcome the prejudices and poverty that degrade and debilitate people within rural New York by building communities that celebrate diversity, achieve true mutuality and fight for dignity and opportunity for all.”
“We work with rural leaders, both young and older, who are committed to equality and cooperative opportunity, especially within agricultural systems,” according to RMM. “We also support people in faith, labor and university communities who seek to stand with rural leaders as allies.”
Rural & Migrant Ministry has centers in the Hudson Valley, Western New York, Eastern Long Island and the Sullivan County Catskills, working in five main program areas: Accompaniment (Standing With Others); Rural Academy of the People (Nurturing Leadership); Youth Empowerment; Immigrant Legal Rights Project; and Community Good Federal Credit Union (Financial Equity).
“We believe that a just, rural New York — its political, educational, judicial and food systems — involves all of us,” according to RMM. “We also believe that those who courageously call out for justice need others to stand with them — to accompany them in this quest. Our Accompaniment Program is about working together, learning from one another, and inspiring one another.”
Saturday’s Event Schedule
- 2-3 pm: Greet & connect, appetizers & drinks, and plant sales by RMM-supported Long Island Farmworker Cooperative
- 3-4 pm: Institutional welcome and Center for Alliance, Solidarity, and Accompaniment (CASA) Program
- 4-5 pm: Legal program and special testimonial
- 5-6 pm: Voices of Long Island Youth (VOLIY) and closing remarks
Proceeds from this event will fund essential operations, technology, program transportation, and leadership development. General admission tickets and special ticket packages—which combine entry with sponsorships for youth, summer camp, or educational workshops—are available online.
Rural & Migrant Ministry Programs
CENTER OF ALLIANCE, SOLIDARITY, AND ACCOMPANIMENT (CASA) PROGRAM
The Center of Alliance, Solidarity, and Accompaniment (CASA) is worker-led group that strives to bring about change in eastern Long Island.
IMMIGRANT LEGAL RIGHTS PROJECT (ILRP)
The Immigrant Legal Rights Project assists people in protecting their legal rights. The Project works hand-in-hand with RMM’s Rural Academy of the People and our long tradition of advocacy to utilize popular education as well as impact litigation and legislation to build capacity and ensure the just treatment of immigrant families.
The Project also stands with immigrants as they initiate legislative efforts at town, county and state levels to introduce policies that both honor the humanity of immigrants and counter anti-immigrant policies. In addition, the Project, in partnership with other legal services organizations, law clinics and pro bono law firms, undertakes impact litigation to ensure the just treatment of immigrant families.
The Project partners with immigrant legal services organizations to ensure individual legal services at some of our Centers.
VOICES OF LONG ISLAND YOUTH (VOLIY)
The Voices of Long Island Youth (VOLIY) Podcast is created and produced by members of Rural & Migrant Ministry’s Youth Empowerment Program. VOLIY amplifies the voices of young people across Long Island as they share their stories, perspectives, and visions for a more just and inclusive future. Through conversations, interviews, and creative projects, the podcast highlights social justice issues that impact their lives and communities — from education and workers’ rights to health, identity, and youth empowerment. Each episode reflects the passion and integrity of youth who are committed to raising awareness and building bridges for change.
The Episcopal Ministries of Long Island, Trinity Church, Northwell Health, the Holstein Family and the Janet Rose Monnier Memorial Fund are co-sponsors of the event.
— Rural & Migrant Ministry
