Dear Friends,

I write to thank you for your partnership with Rural & Migrant Ministry.

Because of your support, RMM is able to be present in rural New York in a manner that few others can match. We have been doing this for thirty years, and our impact today is greater than ever. Here are two current examples:

1. This past year we helped a group of teenagers in one of New York’s poorest counties create their own fair-trade cooperative business. Overcoming tremendous barriers of poverty, they are now successfully selling their beautiful bags across eastern New York State.

2. Working with a diverse group of farmworkers, we opened an Education Center in the middle of apple country. The Center has become a sanctuary – providing programs in democracy, music, summer day camp, legal rights and literacy for hundreds of workers and their families. I was honored a few weeks ago to join participants from these programs and supporters of RMM as we celebrated our Thirtieth Anniversary as well as my Twentieth Anniversary with RMM. As I looked out at the more than 250 gathered, I thought to myself: “What a blessing it is to travel life’s journey with such a remarkable diversity of passionate people.” A deep gratitude came over me as I thought of the hundreds and hundreds of people across New York and beyond, who are willing to partner with us, including you. And, so again, I say thank you. Your support is invaluable.

In Peace,

Richard Witt