Our Story
LWSS (Latino Workers Support Society) builds pathways that connect isolated foreign workers with a supportive community. By improving the quality of life for those struggling locally, we create a ripple effect that carries the message of Christ to faraway nations and forward to future generations.
Several hundred Latinos (mainly Guatemalan and Mexican men) labor on local farms as temporary foreign agricultural workers. They work up to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week— striving to support their families back home. Although these temporary workers earn five times more than they would in their home country, they are separated from their loved ones, communities, and support systems. This separation commonly
lasts up to a year.
Due to cultural and language differences, workers can feel confined and alone, struggling to connect with the local the community, and, at times, even the community of workers on their farm (many Guatemalan workers come from small villages where not even Spanish is spoken—knowing only their local Mayan dialect). Many also fear leaving their farms, since walking around town in Guatemala is often not a safe activity.
LWSS exists to alleviate emotional suffering and provide a path out of social isolation. By creating a means to a well- balanced life outside of work we impart the love of Jesus and plant seeds of faith. We are an organization through which the Gospel message is shared.
Our heart is for spiritual and emotional health, but also physical wellbeing of the workers. They are often ill-prepared for the colder climate and living conditions. Proper apparel, bedding, and self-care products can be difficult to obtain. Working in a foreign country while not speaking the language creates many obstacles to a good quality of life; organizing medical or dental appointments is nearly impossible. LWSS works to provide these basic needs and amongst other critical support services. Our efforts focus on the local Latino workers, but there is a ripple effect. Future generations around the world are impacted as these men are able to provide for their families and impart God’s love to their kids—passing forward what they have experienced here in our community.
Several hundred Latinos (mainly Guatemalan and Mexican men) labor on local farms as temporary foreign agricultural workers. They work up to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week— striving to support their families back home. Although these temporary workers earn five times more than they would in their home country, they are separated from their loved ones, communities, and support systems. This separation commonly
lasts up to a year.
Due to cultural and language differences, workers can feel confined and alone, struggling to connect with the local the community, and, at times, even the community of workers on their farm (many Guatemalan workers come from small villages where not even Spanish is spoken—knowing only their local Mayan dialect). Many also fear leaving their farms, since walking around town in Guatemala is often not a safe activity.
LWSS exists to alleviate emotional suffering and provide a path out of social isolation. By creating a means to a well- balanced life outside of work we impart the love of Jesus and plant seeds of faith. We are an organization through which the Gospel message is shared.
Our heart is for spiritual and emotional health, but also physical wellbeing of the workers. They are often ill-prepared for the colder climate and living conditions. Proper apparel, bedding, and self-care products can be difficult to obtain. Working in a foreign country while not speaking the language creates many obstacles to a good quality of life; organizing medical or dental appointments is nearly impossible. LWSS works to provide these basic needs and amongst other critical support services. Our efforts focus on the local Latino workers, but there is a ripple effect. Future generations around the world are impacted as these men are able to provide for their families and impart God’s love to their kids—passing forward what they have experienced here in our community.
