Emma Larrabee, Hijas Del Campo

Over the last year, extreme weather conditions like storms, flooding, and droughts have left many farmworkers without work and unable to cover essential costs like rent and utilities. As a VISTA, Emma worked to systematize the process of clients requesting direct financial assistance. She recently created a three-tier system to help Hijas del Campo determine the urgency of each case and the extent to which the organization should cover rent/utility expenses that are owed. Hijas del Campo’s ability to give immediate direct financial assistance to families is crucial to preventing displacement and utility shutoffs. VISTA Emma believes that the organization is filling a critical gap for services, especially because many families do not qualify for additional assistance because of immigration status. 
 
Not only has she gotten the chance to help develop this program, but she has also done work to write multiple grants that would provide HDC with funding to continue this work. This has been one of her favorite parts of her service year: being able to work at different levels of the organization. She believes that she is able to effectively write grants because she has first-hand experience implementing the program, so she understands what the organization needs funding for and how the funding will be used. VISTA Emma stated, "I think the ability to carry out so many different functions and learn about different aspects of an organization is what makes being a VISTA so unique." 

Emma will finish her service in March 2024.