Lack of funding causes center’s demise
n By Marilyn Dubil
Staff Writer
Morgan Hill – The South County Dayworker Center closed its doors for lack of funding, just days before Monday’s national boycott by immigrants.
Julian Mancias, one of the South County Dayworker Center Committee leaders, said funding plus other complications caused the center’s demise.
The center, which opened in June 2005, provided support to the dayworkers who wait for homeowners, contractors and landscapers needing cheap work or other unskilled labor.
South County Dayworker Center Executive Director Eloisa Games acted as a liaison between the dayworkers and employers.
Hispanic leaders in the county said the laborers, also called “jornaleros” are saddened by the center’s closing.
“The center’s availability raises the level of dignity a lot higher than having no options, except standing on the street,” Mancias said. Â
The closing comes as the owner of the land where the two portables are located at the corner of Depot Street and E. Main Avenue plans to develop the property. Mancias said the committee always new Charles Weston, the owner, would eventually develop the land.
That circumstance, combined with the fact that their non-profit status with the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose was expiring, exacerbated the center’s situation. Committee members were originally planning to be off the property by the middle of July, but because their status expired in June, they moved the date back.
“It just all funneled down into a pretty obvious decision to close on April 28,” he said.
The center is in transition now, as the committee hopes to relocate it.
Committee member Mario Banuelos said the closing does not mean the committee will give up its work.
“The need will still be there, and although we currently don’t have a center, we will still be there to help them in any way we can,” he said. “I don’t think some people understand how great the need is. But we knew our time was limited, and we will work through this challenge.” Â
