Reflecting on the Past... Celebrating the Present This 55th year history book is dedicated to past and present members of the UMOS Board of Directors and past and present UMOS staff who have been devoted to providing programs and services to help improve the employment, educational, health and housing opportunities for migrant farmworkers and other underserved populations. This book is also dedicated to the many lives touched over the past fifty-five years. 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ben Obregon Board Chair July, 2020 Maria Watts Vice Chair UMOS is proud to celebrate 55 years of service to the community. Nedda Avila Secretary Although our original geographical community started in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1965 and spread to other communities statewide, our community has since expanded into other states: Julio Guix Treasurer Arkansas, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, and Texas. Marisela Galaviz Parliamentarian However, our dedication to meeting the needs of those we serve has not changed. Our Jan Banicki Member of Executive Committee devotion to meeting the performance standards of funding sources, also, has not changed. We take pride in meeting the needs of our clients and customers while meeting and Joe Villmow Member of Executive Committee exceeding the expectations of our funding sources. Board Members Jose Carrillo We continue to be proud of the positive impacts made on the lives of the hundreds of Cesar Sotelo thousands of individuals and families we have served over the years, and we are gratified to see so many have gone on to make positive impacts in the communities where they live, work Cynthia Galvan and raise their families. Kevin Magee We hope you find this historical book on UMOS of interest. Silvia Perez We also hope you will continue to support UMOS and our mission as we continue to dedicate ourselves to Building Better Futures® for those we are privileged to serve. Guadalupe “Wally” Rendon Jose Ruano Maria Borda- Weisner Jorge Delgado Michael Milam UMOS is a nonprofit, advocacy organization that provides programs and services which improve the employment, educational, health and housing opportunities of under-served populations. Ben Obregon Lupe Martinez UMOS Board Chair President and Chief Executive Officer 2 3 1965 1966 1967 1968 THE UNITED MIGRANT OPPORTUNITY SERVICES, INC. IS FORMED ON MARCH 25, 1965 q UMOS SENDS A BUS-LOAD OF SUPPORTERS TO WASHINGTON FOR THE POOR PEOple’S MARCH q Representatives from the various A Board is organized comprised of Derived from these beginnings, the UMOS is awarded an additional The Office of Economic Opportunity UMOS purchases a building at 809 W. ecumenical groups meet frequently nine representatives – three from the history of the UMOS organization begins. $1,010,361 from the Office of Economic provides $1.2 million in funding and Greenfield Avenue in Milwaukee and as they work toward the development Wisconsin Council of Churches, three The Reverend Ralph Maschmeier serves Opportunity and the service area UMOS’ target area for the day care moves from its Waukesha office. The new of an organization in Wisconsin that from the Episcopal Church and three as the interim director of the organization is expanded to 12 counties. Adult program expands to seventeen counties. building houses both administration and will be dedicated to the betterment of from the Roman Catholic Church. while a search for an executive director is education is provided in nine different the Milwaukee day care program site. migrant farmworkers. As differences are Representatives to the Board include conducted; Frank communities and the day care program A center on Milwaukee’s near south set aside, a structure evolves, and the the three incorporators who represent A. Mueller is hired. expands. side has adult basic education classes A national Poor Peoples’ March to United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc. the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, Madison available for migrant farmworkers who Washington is organized as part of the is formed on March 25, 1965. Gladys and Racine-Kenosha area. Included Office of Economic Opportunity funds There are nine summer day care sites have decided to relocate in Milwaukee. civil rights movement headed by Dr. Zophy, the Rev. Ray A.F. McDaniel on the Board are the former Father are awarded for four day care centers operating, five that continue into the fall Martin Luther King and UMOS is actively and Carlos Perez-Pena sign the John Maurice, from the Council for the operating from July to September. and four that are opened in the spring. involved, sending a bus full of staff, incorporation papers of the organization. Spanish Speaking, who is chosen as the Migrant farmworkers in Wisconsin William Kruse becomes the second students and volunteers to Washington. UMOS becomes one of the first (and first Chairperson of the UMOS Board of are earning an average of $1,737 per Executive Director of UMOS. currently the oldest) migrant farmworker Directors along with the Reverend Ralph year during this time. UMOS opens In Wautoma, a march to Madison is organizations in the nation. Maschmeier, Genevieve Medina, Arthur its first office in Waukesha where the organized. Migrant farmworkers demand Kastensen, Susan Simmonds, Dr. William administrative offices are located. access to public washrooms in the Mudge and Bishop Jerome Hastrich. fields in Wautoma, minimum wages, better housing, enforcement of workers’ compensation laws and representation on the Governor’s Committee on Migratory Labor. 4 5 1969 1970 1971 THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE ORGANIZATION CHANGES TO SELF-HELP AND ADVOCACY q MIGRANT HOUSING IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND BETTER CONDITIONS ARE DEMANDED Controversy begins over UMOS’ Federal funds are again reduced and the Jesus Salas resigns as Executive Director UMOS organizes a nine-day march to • To appoint one representative of each • To distribute information and brochures program services and its administrative funding level in this year is $700,000. and Salvador Sanchez, the former Field Madison from Milwaukee to demand UMOS center as a deputy, giving them in Spanish on workers compensation leadership. Five top level administrators The Southeastern Wisconsin Housing Operations Coordinator becomes the new abolishment of the trespass law which authorization to enter and inspect and unemployment laws in Wisconsin. seek a job contract from the UMOS Corporation receives a grant of $100,000 Executive Director. has created serious problems for staff migrant housing. Board of Directors, but the request is and self-help and rural rental housing attempting to meet with migrant families. • To request prosecution by the Attorney denied and they resign. Jesus Salas is activities begin in Kenosha, Racine and Salvador Sanchez initiates a series of Migrant housing is also a serious problem • To reduce the amount of time allowed General for violations of the new rules. hired as Executive Director. The Office of Walworth Counties. meetings with other Midwest Migrant and better conditions are demanded. for compliance with migrant housing • To pursue a hearing on and passage Economic Opportunity sends a Farmworker program directors and the code violations. of HB 774 dealing with enforcement of management team which encourages a Dante Navarro gives a voice to Milwaukee Midwest Association of Farmworker A nine-day march to Madison in 1971 • To order the immediate closing of any laws and codes. self-help approach and a new direction. Latino community with the first Spanish- Organizations (MAFO) is created as concludes on August 24th with a language radio program. a unified voice for Midwest migrant meeting with former Governor Patrick camp found to be operating without • To actively recruit Latinos/Hispanics for The philosophy of the organization farmworkers. Lucey. Marchers insist they will not leave certification and request the Attorney public service careers. changes to self-help and advocacy. the Capitol until demands are met. On General to prosecute. August 26, 1971 the Department of • To establish an Executive Policy The design for a self-help housing Industry, Labor and Human Relations Committee on Minority Affairs to program is initiated and UMOS starts commits to the following: the Southeastern Wisconsin Housing work with the Department in drafting Corporation. • To establish an Inspection and necessary changes in laws affecting Enforcement Team to provide overall migrant farmworkers. Federal funding from the Office of coordination and direction to the Economic Opportunity is reduced to agency in the areas of inspection and $900,000. UMOS has year round offices enforcement of laws protecting migrant in Sheboygan, Kenosha, and Milwaukee. farmworkers. A team of outreach workers is sent from Milwaukee to Wautoma and Door County every summer. 6 7 1971 1972 1973 THE FIRST GRANT FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND MEDICAL SERVICES IS RECEIVED q NEW OFFICES ARE OPENED AND TARGET AREA INCREASES TO 32 COUNTIES A family planning program with clinics More diversification for the organization, The migrant work force in the state The Comprehensive Employment and A three-day march to Madison is UMOS’ funding is now at $1.2 million, targeting migrant farmworkers and the and another UMOS office is opened in begins to decline due to mechanization. Training Act (CETA) is passed. Funding organized to demonstrate the need for with contracts from 12 different sources. Hispanic/Latino community are opened Beaver Dam, where a migrant multi- for migrant farmworker programs like day care for migrant farmworker children. Migrant farmworker advocacy is strong. in several UMOS offices. UMOS’ funding purpose center is set up. The office The first grant for emergency food UMOS is transferred from the Office The migrant legal services component UMOS’ Executive Director Salvador from the Office of Economic Opportunity provides comprehensive migrant and medical services is received and of Economic Opportunity to the U.S. expands to include services to the Latino/ Sanchez, and staff members Roman remains stable at $700,000. farmworker services, a family planning 4,190 family members benefit from the Department of Labor.