Day Worker Center Opens New Facility with Ribbon Cutting and Song

Today marked a milestone for a gathering place for day laborers that has been called a "model for the nation". The Mountain View Day Worker Center connects workers and employers in a safe and supportive environment with a commitment to fair employment, education, job skills and training. Staff, board members, volunteers and the day workers all participate in advocacy efforts that support the community in and around Mountain View. All are concerned with fairness and dignity in the immigration process.

Today the center opened its new facility on Escuela Ave. in Mountain View after 14 years in temporary locations, often small spaces inside local churches.

At a celebration held in the evening hours, speakers expressed pride that the day center can now stand on its own feet. "Volunteers and donations are still needed to keep the effort going but a permanent location is a cause for true celebration", said Tony Lopez, a member of the Board of Directors.

After a ribbon cutting ceremony in the front of the building, the celebration began in earnest with a political "No Human Being is Illegal" themed ditty from the Raging Grannies, who quickly turned the musical portion of the evening over to Diana Gameros. Over 100 people and reporters from at least 5 media outlets attended. The evening was filled with lively conversation, singing and even a little dancing.

Obtaining a permanent center was fraught with challenges, said Maria Marroquin, the Center's Director. Raging Granny Ann Bjorndahl recalled the battle with NIMBY neighbors who did not want the center to locate at the Escuela location. That challenge was overcome, and with unanimous approval of the Mountain View City Council, building and landscaping began in earnest. The former dry cleaning establishment, not much more than a shell, was re-built from the ground up and beautifully landscaped. Much of the work was done by the day workers...without pay.