Help us create more welcoming and inclusive Western Colorado communities where immigrants have opportunities to actively contribute to a more just and equitable society for all.Â
As part of a statewide coalition, HAP was able to bring the voices of immigrant workers to the state capitol to advocate for legislation that includes agricultural and range workers in Colorado labor standards and protections. Pedro is just one of the farmworkers who shared his story with state policymakers in 2021.
âThe only work Iâve ever known is on a farm, but $11/hour isnât enough for me to care for my family. I just want to be compensated for my hard work. When I spoke to state officials, it was the first time that I actually felt seen and heard. Thanks to HAP, I had an opportunity to help pass this important policy to protect farmworkers like myself.â Â â PedroÂ
Through our immigration legal assistance program, we have helped dozens of individuals like Elizabeth with the naturalization process. As a New American, Elizabeth has been able to find a more stable job that provides health coverage and other benefits for her family.Â
âTaking the step to become a U.S. citizen has had a huge impact on my life. I voted in the 2021 election for the first time and it felt good to feel like I was finally able to contribute to change to ensure my childrenâs future.â â Elizabeth
The mission of the Hispanic Affairs Project is to promote the integration of immigrant communities in Western Colorado through advocacy, leadership development, and providing key services.
The Hispanic Affairs Project (HAP) was created in 2005 by Hispanic immigrant leaders from the communities of Grand Junction, Delta, Olathe, Montrose, and Hotchkiss. These first-generation leaders participated in faith formation programs within the Catholic Church and realized the need to reach a rapidly changing population. Addressing the needs of the new Hispanic immigrant community in the Western Slope led to action, organization, and the formation of HAP.
Nationally, the immigrant rights movement ignited around comprehensive immigration reform and HAP members worked tirelessly for federal legislation to address the broken immigration system. Improving the challenges faced by immigrant families, such as lack of integration, social inequalities, and limited opportunities for economic development, remains the focus of our work. At the local, state, and federal levels, we advocate for pro-immigrant policy changes that protect and increase access to resources for immigrants. Our efforts have led to a number of significant victories.
We are grateful to fill a unique niche in the region, and are proud of our achievements made for and by the Hispanic community:
**Among other successes, we worked with partners to build a statewide coalition to support the SB21-087 Agricultural Workersâ Rights legislation. This was passed in 2021, providing state labor and employment protections for migrant and seasonal farm and ranch workers. This success builds on our federal wins against the US Department of Labor and the US Department of Homeland Security, as a result of which the range worker (sheepherder) worker salaries were increased from $750 to $1,206.
**We also helped make changes to the H2A Range Worker visa program to provide more permanent visas and improved employment opportunities for workers in this program.
**As part of COVID-19 Emergency Response efforts, we created the Western Colorado Immigrant Relief Fund focused on providing emergency rent, utility, and food/ household assistance to families excluded from government COVID-19 emergency relief programs.
**We launched the first-ever nonpartisan Get Out The Vote campaign to encourage the participation of Latino voters in the 2020 general election focused on voter registration and education. We continue to help register New Americans and encourage immigrant and Latino voters to vote!
**Through our immigration legal assistance program, we have provided reliable low-cost services to over 1,000 individuals, which leads to greater social and economic stability for entire families.
**Annually, we connect over 1,500 families with resources through direct assistance, outreach and education, and online communications.
Organization name
Hispanic Affairs Project
other names
HAP
2009
Tax id (EIN)
27-1276653
Category
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
PO Box 2024Headquarters
504 N 1st StreetMontrose County, CO, US
Mesa County, CO, US
Gunnison County, CO, US
Delta County, CO, US
Ouray County, CO, US