http://graphic.pepperdine.edu/news/2006 ... borers.htm

Students educate day laborers
CLARISSA JONES
Staff Writer
Christobal Mateo, who has come to the Malibu Labor Exchange looking for work, would like to be a construction worker with a full time permanent position. However, his search is hindered by his inability to speak English.

That’s where Pepperdine students come in as they teach English to day labors to help them find employment. At the Malibu Labor Exchange, workers wait in line hoping to find work for the day.

Ali Bourguet-Vincent, coordinator of Language Connection leads the group of volunteers as part of the Pepperdine Volunteer Center. She and four or five students teach English for an hour every day to the Spanish-speaking laborers.

“Most come from Mexico or other Spanish speaking countries,” Bourguet-Vincent said. “The majority came over by themselves and are trying to have their children come over as well.”

Center Director Oscar Mondragon has been involved with the Labor Exchange since it opened in August 1993.

“We don’t actively look for jobs, but local homeowners come here looking for workers,” Mondragon said. “These jobs vary from home maintenance, masonry, gardening and cleanup. The average wage is $10 an hour.”

The Labor Exchange attracts about 70 to 100 workers a day. Homeless men and women make up 20 to 25 percent of the workers. However, most of them live in Venice, Oxnard or Santa Monica. About 70 percent are men and 30 percent are women. All laborers must bring photo identification. They are not asked if they are American citizens.

“As long as they’re good workers, that’s all the employers care about,” Mondragon said.

The majority of the employers are homeowners. Most of the jobs are for men, but work comes in for women occasionally. Usually the men are offered gardening jobs and the women are asked to be housekeepers or nannies. Depending on the time of year, there are up to 25 to 30 jobs per day available. These jobs employ as many people as the employers want. Only a few of these positions are full time.

Cristobal Mateo is waiting to find work as a gardener or a painter. Usually his employers pay him $10 an hour.

Full-time jobs are difficult to find. German Flores is also looking for permanent work. He has been coming to the labor exchange for 12 years. He is looking for gardening or masonry work. His usual pay is $10 an hour for gardening and $15 an hour for masonry.

“It’s not enough to survive here,” said Flores, who is from Honduras. “The way I’m working, I couldn’t survive back home either. There is no stability.”

Ali Bourguet-Vincent said she believes those who do not speak English have a disadvantage.

“Most of the employers don’t speak Spanish,” she said. Translators help the employers find workers at the labor exchange. However, once they are at the job site, they are on their own. With basic English skills Bourguet-Vincent and the volunteers teach them, the workers are able to communicate with their employers.

“Learning English makes them much more employable,” said Lisa Marley, one of the volunteers involved with the Labor Exchange. “There is not only and improvement in their English, but also in their confidence.”

Marley, a junior majoring in Spanish, started volunteering at the Labor Exchange when she was a freshman. Through her involvement, she developed friendships with people at the Labor Exchange, especially Mondragon, the center director.

Marley said she treasures her time there, and encourages Pepperdine students to get involved as well. “It’s great to donate your time to such great people who are so appreciative.”

The efforts of Language Connection have not gone unnoticed.

“Pepperdine has been very helpful,” Mondragon said. “We are very grateful for the volunteers who teach English.”

The University Church of Christ is in the process of getting involved with the Labor Exchange as well. Dr. John Jones, a ministry leader for the Church, helps coordinate community ministries.

“We are in the early stages of the ministry,” Jones said. “It’s our goal to work with the Labor Exchange and other organizations in Malibu and help out wherever we can. Hopefully, in a few months we can get it off the ground.”

The center director said all donations are appreciated. “Our biggest challenge is money,” Mondragon said. The Malibu Labor Exchange is a nonprofit organization that stays open from donations and grants from supporters in the area.

Submitted 03-16-2006