Farm workers do the jobs most of us avoid. They need unemployment benefits | Opinion

Let’s support our farm workers

Newson should sign the bill known as the Excluded Workers Program that is being introduced by state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles. The rain and flooding has made it a really tough year for our San Joaquin Valley farm workers. If they are undocumented, they do not receive unemployment benefits.

They need food, shelter and still have bills to pay, just like the rest of us. Keep in mind that they are ones responsible for putting food on our tables. Who else would be willing to do the work they do? With all the rain, field work has been hard to find. They need and deserve to have unemployment benefits.

Habitat involved in housing for Fresnans

I volunteer at Habitat for Humanity-Greater Fresno Area as part of the Scholars in Service program at Fresno State.

Fresno is one of the American cities with the highest percentages of extreme poverty. Many individuals are on the verge of homelessness due to insufficiently affordable housing since rent demands are increasing and wages are not keeping up with inflation. The cost of the supplies makes it difficult for many people to afford home repairs.

Habitat for Humanity-Greater Fresno Area is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals and families achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Safe, decent, affordable homeownership increases educational achievement, net family wealth, and good health while reducing reliance on government assistance. Since 1985, Habitat has transformed the living conditions for over 1,000 families and is still doing so today.

There are various ways to support or get involved with Habitat, like shopping, donating and volunteering. Their ReStore focuses on affordable new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials, and more. There are options to engage by volunteering with new home construction, the ReStore, special projects, and more. Visit https://www.habitatfresno.org/ to get involved by volunteering, donating, or learning more about Habitat for Humanity.

Food insecurity a major problem

Not knowing when your next meal of the day will be is incredibly scary, and unfortunately something many people around us face. Food insecurity is an issue in many communities, and according to Feeding America, more than one in every 10 people in Fresno County face food insecurity.

Wesley UMC is a nonprofit in Fresno that works to help and better our community. Wesley is home to the Pink Cow Thrift Shop, Base Camp, and the Food Pantry. Two out of the three work to provide the community with free warm meals and nutritional foods/groceries weekly.

Wesley runs on the generosity of their volunteers and interns, which is why it is important to stay involved and educated on what is going on in our communities. Wesley is able to reach so many people because there are others that also care about their community and want to make a difference.

Do not wait for change to just happen in our communities. We all need to be proactive and put in the work to make an impact. Some ways to help include contacting our representatives and demanding change, volunteering with local food banks/pantries, and donating to programs like Wesley UMC.

He’s sick over what golf has become

I no longer love golf. I have played golf the majority of my life. I played twice a week. My wife and I often made trips to Palm Springs, Northern and Southern California to play various courses. I even played Pebble once.Around 80 I had to start using a golf cart. Then as I aged further I had to physically give up the game. However, I kept up with the game through my TV and the newspaper. I considered golf to be challenging and entertaining.

Then Sadi Arabia came along with their LIV league. For all practical purposes, it’s nothing but a showcase, where no one can be cut in their league play. How can their people claim to be the world champion when they are sheltered in their little so-called league play?

This was bad enough, then Tiger Woods and Greg Bartoli developed the “PopStroke” mini-golf entertainment program. Now we have these two so-called golf programs — LIV and PopStroke — competing with real golf in the National Golf Association program.

I can.t take any more. I no longer watch golf on TV or read about it in the newspaper. I used to enjoy it so much.

Vaping danger up at Fresno State

I am writing this letter to inform you of the recent increase in the trend of vaping on Fresno State’s campus.

In an online survey conducted with Fresno State students, 58.5% of respondents admitted to using a vape. Vaping will have a tremendous impact on their health. One vaping pod is equivalent to a whole pack of cigarettes and some students go through a vape in two days. The community needs to be informed on the severity of vaping and the damage it is doing.

The goal is to increase the awareness of this issue in order for the number of students affected to decrease and so they know their health is at risk. By including this information in your newspaper, the county of Fresno will be made aware and can spread the information more.

Vaping causes serious health effects involving respiratory and cardiovascular distress. It is correlated to the development of popcorn lung, a respiratory condition that narrows and thickens the airway due toscarring. Additionally, chemicals in vaping devices are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Publishing this information will show the community the dangers of vaping and will increase awareness.

This story was originally published April 30, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Farm workers do the jobs most of us avoid. They need unemployment benefits | Opinion."