Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis receives award from Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today was honored by the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, which presented her with the Champion for the Futures of Farmworker Children Award for her commitment to improving the lives of farmworkers around the country through education and training.

The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs promotes better living and working conditions for farmworkers by providing job training, supportive services and housing assistance to more than 20,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers each year. The association's efforts include the "Children in the Fields Campaign," an initiative that aims to better protect America's youth working in agricultural fields.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor announced more than $80 million in grants through the National Farmworker Jobs Program that many organizations – including AFOP – are using to combat chronic unemployment that plagues those who harvest in our fields. The AFOP uses funding from the National Farmworker Jobs Program to help farmworkers upgrade their agricultural job skills or acquire new skills that enable them to earn higher wages and find more stable employment.

"The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs and the Department of Labor share an interest in helping migrant and seasonal farmworkers earn a living with dignity and respect," said Secretary Solis. "I am honored to receive this award and commend the AFOP on its good work."

AFOP Executive Director David A. Strauss, joined by other AFOP staff, presented Secretary Solis with the award at Labor Department headquarters in Washington.

For a photo from the award presentation, visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdol/7309400378/in/set-72157629985945880.