DELANO, Calif. (October 7, 2026)— State Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and the California Foundation announced a $2 million state investment supporting the development of CFF’s Family Resource Center in Delano, expanding access to workforce development, job training, health services and other resources for farmworkers and their families.

“I grew up watching my parents work long days in agriculture, and I saw both the sacrifice and the pride they carried in helping put food on families’ tables,” Senator Hurtado said. “This $2 million investment is about making sure the people who do that work have somewhere to turn when they need a hand — whether it’s job training, healthcare, financial resources or a new opportunity.” 

Secured through the 2026 state budget, the funds will support the development of the resource center and the services it provides. These include mental health, dental and vision care; workforce development and technical training; legal and immigration assistance, benefits enrollment; and food pantry and financial literacy services.

“The check we’re presenting today isn’t the story. The story will be the farmworker who walks through these doors and learns a new skill, the parent who gets the care they need, and the family that leaves with more hope for the future,” Hurtado continued. 

CFF has developed the Family Resource Center as a centralized location where farmworker families can connect with services ranging from health and wellness resources to education, immigration assistance and family programming. CFF describes the center as a hub serving communities throughout the Central Valley.

"Every meal begins with the hands of a farmworker. This Family Resource Center exists to honor that work and to lift up the families and communities behind it,” Darrell Muniz, CEO of CFF said. “With Senator Melissa Hurtado's generous $2 million contribution, families will have access to vital healthcare, educational and legal services close to home. Above all, this Center will serve as a safe and trusted place where farmworkers feel truly seen, heard, and empowered.”

For farmworker families, the center is designed to address more than one immediate need at a time. A worker seeking new job skills could also connect with health services. A family receiving help navigating public benefits could access financial education or legal assistance. Parents could connect their children with after-school programming while older family members access senior services.

That comprehensive approach is intended to reduce barriers to services while creating stronger pathways toward long-term economic stability.

"Even the hardest-working hands need a helping hand. The CFF Family Resource Center will give farmworker families support, strength, and opportunity, all under one roof," Melvin Archila, 20-year farmworker said.  

The center is located in Delano and is designed to bring range of services together in one location for farmworkers and their families.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA FARMWORKER FOUNDATION

For 10 years, the California Farmworker Foundation (CFF) has been a voice for California's farmworkers. Its mission is to support farmworkers and their families through services and programs that improve their quality of life. CFF serves 120,000 farmworkers across Kern, Tulare, Fresno, Madera, Riverside and northern Santa Barbara counties, and remains committed to expanding its reach and deepening partnerships so the families whose hands feed the nation have the support they need to thrive.

ABOUT SENATOR MELISSA HURTADO

Senator Melissa Hurtado is Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration and General Government and currently represents the 16th Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern Counties.

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