Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/105709
Photo by Jim black Arturo Ortiz, Jr., takes his education seriously at Madison House where instructors understand his needs. "I see Madison Houses. That's what I see." —Ed Kershaw strong religious organization with a legion of volunteers and a vision to make Madison House a place where youths could be in a safe environment, gave Kershaw what he needed to invest his time and money. "Today, I view Madison House as a safe haven for the disadvantaged neighborhood of the family units employed in the fruit industry," he said. "The families are all in survival mode. And the children many times do not have the opportunities that other children have in our community." Kershaw sees Madison House as that, but even more, he sees it as a model for the tree fruit industry in any community where importation of farm labor has a negative impact on either the community or the children of industry workers. It's a model for growers and shippers to come together in leadership to promote the mission of Madison House and to provide the money to run it. "I see Madison Houses," he said. "That's what I see. "I see them in other parts of Yakima, in Wenatchee, and in other communities. Some point in every person's life, they need guidance, order. They need exposure to the opportunities that are out there—and they are there!" Kershaw draws out the last four words. "They are there," he repeats. "I view our industry as a fabulous catalyst for this. Our industry has evolved to the manufacture of food products. And there are so many roles in this industry other than entry-level fieldwork. www.goodfruit.com Photo by loren Queen, Domex SuPerfreSh GrowerS Photo by Jim black Javier Arreola learns some basic sewing skills from Madison House volunteer Tom Wise. Ed Kershaw, left, talks with Union Gospel Mission Executive Director Rick Phillips at Domex Superfresh Growers new packing facility. The two men have spent many hours discussing ways to better the future for the children of tree fruit industry workers. "If you take a look at the leadership of Hispanics in this industry, they are in so many roles, and when it comes to the kids making a decision on what path to take in life, introduce them to these opportunities. Have them choose between a gang and furthering their education. "I envision these youths in intern roles in many industry companies as they grow up. I see them in line for scholarships for those who want to further their education. That's why I coined the phrase that Madison House is really 'The Journey of Hope.' "Madison House is a wonderful example of what communities can do to help further the opportunities of the Hispanic youth today and their families. Madison House isn't replacing families—Madison House is inclusive of the family," he said. "Let's get real on what success is for these kids. Success can lead to making them better people without us. But it can be something so much more than that by opening their eyes to the world around them as they watch their parents struggle simply to put food on the table. As our industry grows, growers' relationships with their Hispanic help are going to become much more personal as they realize how valuable they really are." Philanthropy "Growers now recognize this through their generous support of industry organizations like WAEF [Washington Apple Education Foundation] for scholarship support of children of our employees. Madison House is attempting to capture youth before they get into the scholarship stream. That's why I think it's critically important. That's when good and bad decisions are made that impact the rest of their lives." Kershaw explains that we have an environment in the United States where Mexican families are immersed in this culture. But many have lost that family-first attitude. "Many are struggling with that," he said. "It's hard to be family-first in this culture when you are below the poverty line, and you are struggling to offer your children more than you had. You are struggling to grab the brass ring that is available here." Recreating that sense of family is what drew Kershaw to Madison House where there were situations where there was less order in their families than there was in Mexico. "Hopefully, Madison House will help create order with these children and engage their parents," he said. "One of the first things we need to do is to help them understand that earning something is much more than receiving something, more gratifying. It makes them more respectful of themselves for what they can accomplish and respectful for those who do accomplish. "Many of the children who go to Madison House expect something," he said. "This is it: 'What do I get? I showed up.' "It's a good start," he laughs. "How do we teach these children how to appreciate what they get and understand that it isn't the responsibility of everyone else to give it to them?" "Madison House is not the house of entitlement," Kershaw concluded. Maybe not, but maybe the Madison Houses Kershaw envisions will set these children out on their own personal journey of hope. • GOOD FRUIT GROWER FEBRUARY 1, 2013 9