Shelter for migrant farmworkers opening thanks to donations
Two donations totaling $250,000 will support a seasonal shelter in Mecca for migrant farmworkers, it was announced Monday.
Philanthropist Mary Ingebrand-Pohla contributed $200,000 and Father Howard Lincoln of Palm Desert’s Sacred Heart Parish gave $50,000 to be used to hire staff and purchase supplies to house farmworkers at the Galilee Center, a nonprofit that runs a shelter for the homeless.
“We are very excited and blessed to receive these donations, which will provide so much needed shelter for the homeless farmworker men and women in the eastern Coachella Valley,” said Gloria Gomez, the Galilee Center’s president and founder. “We hope this is the beginning of an annual program, where many farmworkers will find relief. We are very grateful to Mary and Fr. Lincoln for their outstanding donation.”
With temporary housing at a premium in the eastern Coachella Valley, discussion of a seasonal farmworkers’ shelter at the Galilee Center began over the summer between Lincoln, county Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and Galilee Center leaders.
“I greatly admire Gloria Gomez and (Galilee Center CFO and Founder) Claudia Castorena who serve from the heart, in the life-changing work that government could not do alone,” Perez said.
“When they brought a vision to address this need, I had faith they would find a way to make this come true for our farmworker families. These donations are amazing blessings that offer not
only a place to sleep, but immense hope to people in need.”
If you are interested in donating to the Galilee Center, click here.
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