Migrant farm workers find support, community in Niagara church

Notes: The Rev. Javier Arias, is the rector of St. Alban's Anglican Church in Beamsville, Ont. "Born in Colombia, Arias has been a priest in the diocese of Niagara since 2009, following his conversion from Roman Catholicism" (p. 1). "Since taking up his post at St. Alban's, Arias and his wife, Ruth Hurtado, have, with the help of a grant from the diocese of Niagara, been trying to turn the church into a kind of community hub for temporary farm workers. 'Our first goal is to give spiritual support', he said. They also try to address health care, communication and transportation needs" (p. 8). "Arias has goals beyond simply ministering to the workers, he wants to bring visibility to a population that is all too frequently invisible to the wider community. The local community is often aware of the farm workers' presence, but most do not care to approach them. 'What we want to do is break those kinds of barriers .. because the work they are doing for us is amazing work. We have food because they are working for us', said Arias" (p. 8).

Subjects: Migrant labor - Canada; Mexicans - Canada; Migrant labor - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Church work with migrant labor - Anglican Church of Canada; Economic justice - Canada; St. Alban's Anglican Church (Beamsville, Ont.); Arias, Javier; Hurtado, Ruth