Voz Workers Rights Education Project

1131 SE Oak St. Portland, OR 97214 Office: 503.233.6787 Fax:

503.232.6449


MLK Jr. Worker Center Office: 240 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97232 Phone: (503) 234-2043
Website: www.portlandvoz.org

June 6, 2014


Dear Catholic Campaign for Human Development and U.S Bishops,

We write to thank CCHD staff and volunteers for selecting Voz Workers Rights
Education Project as one of CCHDs semi-finalists. We recognize that CCHD has been an
important partner and supporter in helping Voz grow since its incorporation in 2000. The
staff, we would like to add, especially Matt Cato from the Archdiocese of Portland, has
always gone the extra mile in supporting and advancing day laborer rights.

After much deliberation within our Board we have decided not to terminate our affiliation
from National Council of La Raza (NCLR). We understand that maintaining affiliation
with NCLR, a champion of Latino rights, will terminate any possibility of receiving the
CCHD National Grant we submitted requesting $75,000. We understand that the issue of
affiliation with NCLR is due to their support and advocacy in the area of marriage
equality.

The decision we have made took into consideration the needs, as well as the values and
mission of our organization. The need for funding is great. However, we are a worker-led
organization that empowers immigrants and day laborers to gain control over their
working conditions. At the root of that mission, is the pursuit of justice and equality for all
immigrants and day laborers. We have always found that to do this, we need all allies, day
laborers, and immigrants to stand together in unity.

The philosophy of building borders between friends and allies has long been a debilitating
instrument to slow the advancement of social justice and equality. Alone we cannot
achieve anything.

Martin Luther King Jr., the namesake of our Worker Center once said: The ultimate
measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but
where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Voz Workers Rights Education Project
1131 SE Oak St. Portland, OR 97214 Office: 503.233.6787 Fax:
503.232.6449


MLK Jr. Worker Center Office: 240 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97232 Phone: (503) 234-2043
Website: www.portlandvoz.org


We stand with NCLR. We stand with their values.

We hope one day CCHD and the U.S Bishops can stand with us.

Sincerely,


Lauren Norris Luis Chacon
Executive President Day Labor President
Voz Workers Rights Education Project Voz Workers Rights Education Project




Romeo Sosa
Executive Director
Voz Workers Rights Education Project