215-733-0878 or 800-729-1607 (client only)

Friends of Farmworkers improves the living and working conditions of vulnerable low wage farmworkers, mushroom workers, landscaping workers, and food processing workers in Pennsylvania. We do this through the provision of Legal Services, Education, and Advocacy. Our signature programs include:

1) Direct Legal Services
2) Community Education
3) Advocacy
4) High Impact Litigation throughout the State of Pennsylvania

Income guidelines: Below 125% of federal poverty level; Geographic guidelines: PA residents or migrant workers who have been employed in PA; Other guidelines: priority in representation for migrant farmworkers, mushroom workers and food processing workers who have employment related. Workers from immigrant and migrant communities with significant migrant and seasonal
farmworker populations who are not employed in agriculture may under certain circumstances qualify for Friends of Farmworkers (FOF) representation. Undocumented persons not eligible for Legal Services corporation funded representation are eligible for representation by FOF. Representation may be available for organizations whose members are eligible clients.

Agencies referring clients should call on behalf of the client.
Clients are seen by appointment in Philadelphia, Kennett Square, Reading and other locations as needed. Phone and fax intake with cooperating programs and agencies is possible and encouraged. Co-counseling is also possible. Seasonal outreach to farm labor housing.

Employment related claims of workers, including: minimum wage and wage payment problems, violations of workers’ rights under federal and state protective statutes, unsafe or unhealthy work conditions, problems associated with substandard housing provided to groups of workers, remedying discrimination or retaliation against workers for exercising their legal rights, enforcement of state and federal laws for protection of safety in the work place and labor camp housing, establishment of eligibility rights to public benefits; discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of race, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status, providing legal assistance to income eligible worker organizations, providing community legal education to farm workers and mushroom workers about issues related to their legal rights.

Direct legal services provided to farmworkers, mushroom workers and food processing workers in PA; to migrant farmworkers who have been employed in PA having claims arising out of employment in PA and to organizations whose members are client eligible workers and their families.

Community education provided on legal rights of farmworkers, mushroom workers and food processing workers, including outreach to farm labor camps, community groups and students.

Substantive FOF priorities for employment related claims of eligible workers and claims related to a client’s status as a farmworker, including: minimum wage/wage payment problems; unsafe/ unhealthy work conditions; substandard housing for workers; employment/housing discrimination based on race/sex/nationality/disability/familial status; retaliation for
exercising legal rights; establishment of eligibility rights to public benefits; and limited representation related to immigrant status.

Advocacy for litigants with Limited English Proficiency to promote equal access to the justice system and government funded programs and benefits.

Meredith Rapkin, Esq.

Arthur N. Read