IN THE NEWS

Naomi Vanderlip Jan 22 An aerial view of some trailers that house farmworkers and their families at California Terra Garden in Half Moon Bay, as seen on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. The suspect in the mass killing is believed to have lived with his wife in one of the trailers. (Paul Kuroda/Washington Post, via Getty Images) The five Chinese farmworkers sitting together in Half Moon Bay Library on a foggy afternoon last month were there to receive information about their permanen

By KATE TALERICO | ktalerico@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group, ETHAN VARIAN | evarian@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group and RAY CHAVEZ | rchavez@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: January 21, 2024 at 6:16 a.m. | UPDATED: January 22, 2024 at 6:12 a.m. A year after four of his colleagues were killed in the largest mass shooting in San Mateo County history, Juan Flores Lopez still sorts through the mail for the man who shot them. The envelop

Reflecting, Honoring, and Advocating: Special Memorial Art Piece at ALAS to be Unveiled to Remember the Lives and Inspire Ongoing Change Half Moon Bay, CA – January 20, 2024 – Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS) and the Latino Community Foundation (LCF) are uniting for a special One-Year Remembrance Ceremony to honor the victims and survivors of the tragic shooting in Half Moon Bay on January 23, 2023. In this solemn event, we remember the seven lives tragically lost and ref

“CAMPESINOS: AMERICA’S UNSUNG HEROES” IN U.S. CAPITOL Documentary highlights the struggles farm workers face at the local and national level; yet they feed American families and contribute billions of dollars to U.S. economy Washington, D.C. — In case you missed it, yesterday, Representatives Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) hosted a screening and panel for the documentary “CAMPESINOS: America’s Unsung Heroes” in the U.S. Capitol. The film and discussion focus

By Allie Rasmus Published October 9, 2023 Updated 6:55AM San Mateo County KTVU FOX 2 HALF MOON BAY, Calif. - From navigating the challenges of the COVID pandemic to responding to winter floods and a tragic mass shooting, one local group, known as ALAS, has been recognized for its work addressing these recent crises in San Mateo County. ALAS, a non-profit organization has been serving the community for more than a decade. This summer, the organization received "Non-Profit of t

"Without them, we would not eat. So their work is so sacred." By Tim Johns Wednesday, September 20, 2023 MENLO PARK, Calif. (KGO) -- On Tuesday night, Gilroy-based nonprofit Earth to Table hosted a benefit concert for farmworkers in Half Moon Bay. "Without them, we would not eat. So their work is so sacred," said Juanita Chavez. The event featured a variety of performers, as well as speakers. Its goal was to highlight some of the struggles faced by local farmworkers - some of

By FOX 35 September 20, 2023 8:20 AM MENLO PARK, Calif. - A benefit concert was held Tuesday for farmworkers affected by the deadly mass shooting in Half Moon Bay. Since January, farmworkers and their families have been trying to put their lives back together after seven people were shot and killed by another farmworker. The fundraiser included showing a short film about the lives of farmworkers as well as musical entertainment. Organizers say the shooting was tragic, but it

SEPT 19, 2023 Reed Cowan and Nicole Zaloumis interview ALAS founder and executive director Doctor Belinda Hernandez Arriaga and Brent Turner, co-founder of Earth to Table, to discuss a benefit concert held Tuesday, September 19th, from 7 to 9:00 pm at the Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real in Menlo Park.

By LaMonica Peters Published September 19, 2023 MENLO PARK, Calif. - A benefit concert was held Tuesday for farmworkers affected by the deadly mass shooting in Half Moon Bay. Since January, farmworkers and their families have been trying to put their lives back together after seven people were shot and killed by another farmworker. The fundraiser included showing a short film about the lives of farmworkers as well as musical entertainment. Organizers say the shooting was trag

Sep 19, 2023 Reed Cowan and Nicole Zaloumis interview ALAS founder and executive director Doctor Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga and Brent Turner, co-founder of Earth-to-Table, to discuss a benefit concert held in Menlo Park for the Bay Area farmworking community.

BY JAMIE BECKETT | SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 Sukkot is a time when we give thanks for the harvest, and here in the Bay Area we are fortunate enough to celebrate a bounty of locally grown fruits and vegetables. But how often do most of us think about the backbreaking work required to get that fresh produce to our tables? I know I didn’t. I prided myself for supporting farmers markets and organic farmers, but I seldom thought about the people in Half Moon Bay and elsewhere who bend an

In the next few weeks, we will introduce you to numerous members of our ALAS familia via our Yo Soy ALAS campaign. It's our goal to recog...

A new organization is raising money to support farmworkers. KCBS Radio's Raquel Maria Dillon reports, they're kicking things off with a benefit concert next week in Menlo Park.

By Gloria Rodríguez Friday, August 25, 2023 5:54PM HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KGO) -- U.S. Representative Adam Schiff visited Half Moon Bay Thursday to learn about the needs of farmworkers. During a roundtable discussion, Pedro Romero Perez told the Schiff in Spanish that he lived through January's mass shooting in Half Moon Bay and lost his brother. San Mateo County Board of Supervisor Ray Mueller hosted the congressman during his visit to the nonprofit ALAS, which helps farmwor

A community roundtable in Half Moon Bay Thursday will focus on farmworkers and their urgent needs and will be attended by Congressman Adam Schiff. Interview with Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga, founder and executive director of Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) Watch video here

By Allie Rasmus Published August 24, 2023 HALF MOON BAY, Calif. - Pedro Romero Perez, the lone survivor of a tragic mass shooting in Half Moon Bay, addressed the public for the first time during a farmworkers roundtable discussion. Sharing his message with congressional leaders at the community meeting, Perez shed light on his journey of recovery and the challenges he faces. The event took place seven months after the horrific incident that unfolded at the mushroom farm, whe

Housing, substance use and mental health services top priorities Nicholas Mazzoni Daily Journal staff Aug 15, 2023 Updated Aug 17, 2023 Addressing community struggles by building off its strengths was Ayudando Latinos A Soñar’s approach during an event in Half Moon Bay last week, and growth strategies were shared amid laughter, music and food. While Thursday’s event at the Sueño Center plaza was an official presentation revealing results from a countywide survey, it had the f

"I think those lessons go far beyond what's happening here on the beach." By Luz Pena Sunday, July 30, 2023 HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KGO) -- In Half Moon Bay, nonprofit Ayudando Latinos A Soña, or ALAS, has been offering a free of charge summer camp to children of working families. "I'm still a beginner," said 9-year-old Marliana Morales during surfing lessons. After a couple hours in the water, Marliana said there shouldn't be any confusion. She is a pro now. Luz Pena: "That's

by: Jessica Wills Posted: Jul 26, 2023 / 03:13 PM PDT Updated: Jul 26, 2023 / 03:13 PM PDT Assistant Director of ALAS Dr. Enrique Bazán joined host Olivia Horton to share about the free camp they are offering to kids and the resources they are providing to let kids be kids. Watch video here: https://www.kron4.com/live-in-the-bay/alas-provides-free-summer-camp-to-kids-of-working-families/

Clinical psychologist joins ALAS to help deliver equitable access to mental health services Half Moon Bay, CA — July 17, 2023 — Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS) today announced that Dr. David A. Martínez, Ph.D., recognized for his dedication to increase equitable access to mental health care for the Latino community, has been named as Director of Mental Health. Dr. David A. Martínez is a professor of clinical psychology at the University of San Francisco. He earned his Ph.D

Summer camp youth counselors from community and children camp participants get access to new socialization and educational opportunities Half Moon Bay, CA — July 17, 2023 — Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS) is hosting the El Jardin Summer Camp for K-8th grade children from the Half Moon Bay community. This three-week summer camp, running from July 10-28, is offered free of charge to working families. El Jardin Summer Camp provides a safe and enriching environment for childr

Food Tank: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar: Creating Support and Resilience Amidst Devastating Floods in California – Food Tank Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) is supporting California farm workers and their families by helping them respond to extreme weather events. ALAS, a Latino centered nonprofit in Half Moon Bay, California, began in 2011. The organization seeks to help children and families feel proud of their culture and identity, and has become a communal space for support.

ABC7 News: California mushroom farms cited for workplace safety violations after January mass shooting - ABC7 San Francisco (abc7news.com) By Lauren Martinez Tuesday, June 27, 2023 HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KGO) -- California has cited two Northern California mushroom farms for health and safety violations and proposed more than $165,000 in potential fines five months after a farmworker killed seven people in back-to-back shootings on the farms in Half Moon Bay. Chunli Zhao, who