Collaborative Diocesan Ministries
Episcopal Farmworker Ministry
The Episcopal Farmworker Ministry (EFwM) is a joint ministry of the Diocese of North Carolina and the Diocese of East Carolina. EFWM works with low-income immigrants who work in the fields, nurseries, packing houses, meat processing plants, and poultry, swine or livestock farms in Sampson, Johnston, Harnett, Lenoir and Duplin counties. EFWM provides direct services, programs for leadership development, community education and advocacy.
Some of the ministry's programs and services include:
- the distribution of information, food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies and personal protection equipment for low-income community members and guest workers;
- an Emergency Fund for Agricultural Workers who have been affected physically and financially by the pandemic;
- a disaster relief program;
- free mental health services in Spanish;
- an immigration program that includes direct services, community education and advocacy;
- free English classes with free childcare and dinner to minimize obstacles for participation, especially for women and single parents;
- a women’s group that organizes trainings, awareness campaigns, prayer groups and programs to strengthen the leadership of women in the community; and
- a community education program for churches and the general population, focused on the systemic issues that affect farmworkers and immigrants in the United States, and with a focus on action and solidarity.
Other programs and events are EFWM’s Farmworker Festival, outreach to guest worker camps, summer daytrips for children, EFWM’s community council, and monthly community events.
Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte
Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte provides a welcoming place of learning, service and fellowship on the east side of Charlotte. The Galilee Center serves as a meeting place for refugees, immigrants and other residents of the city. They host a variety of nonprofits providing vital services to the community, including English classes, citizenship classes, life skills classes, after-school programs, a food pantry, cross-cultural counseling services, gleaned fresh vegetables and mentoring for new food-based businesses.
