“What If We Hadn’t Shown Up?” — CATA’s Bold Year of Action and How You Can Support on Giving Tuesday

On the evening of November 4, 2025, outside the Wicomico County Government Building, CATA members, partner organizations, and neighbors stood shoulder to shoulder—holding handmade signs and chanting: “No 287(g)! No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here!” 

Inside, County Council members debated whether to approve a controversial agreement with ICE. But thanks in part to our presence and pressure, they didn’t move forward. 

That’s what showing up can do. 

In 2025, CATA showed up everywhere—on farms, in courtrooms, at community events—delivering dignity, protection, and hope. This Giving Tuesday (December 2), help us keep showing up in 2026 and beyond. Every gift makes a real difference for immigrant workers and their families. Donate now. 

Protecting Immigrant Workers 

Across all three states we serve, immigrant workers came to us with stories of abuse, fear, and exploitation—and we showed up with answers, action, and accountability. This year, we: 

• Completed a multi-year project and helped 1,226 farmworkers apply for USDA federal relief funds totaling over $735,000 

• Reached 1400+ workers on 80 different farms with labor rights education and hygiene supplies 

• Trained 138 people on their rights in the workplace 

• Supported 16 wage theft cases, including two landmark wins resulting in more than $850,000 recovered for 100 workers in a landscaping company and a poultry farm. 

• Provided legal guidance to 22 more workers and 100 community members navigating issues like driver’s licenses, DACA, and access to basic needs  

Fighting Deportation & Defending Rights 

In Bridgeton, we knocked on 220 doors to share immigration rights information—97 homes received in-person presentations. In 2025, we also: 

• Trained 220 immigrant community members and 150 service providers on rights and emergency planning 

• Helped 15 families prepare legal powers of attorney and 5 more build family emergency plans 

• Fought back against 287(g) agreements in partnership with the ACLU and local coalitions 

• Participated in rallies, gave public testimony, and joined policy campaigns to protect undocumented communities from criminalization and ICE involvement 

Delivering Fresh and Culturally Appropriate Food Through Our Community Gardens in Bridgeton, NJ and Kennett Square, PA

At the heart of our food justice work are the families who rely on us to access healthy, culturally familiar food. In 2025, we: 

• Harvested 387 pounds of fresh, chemical-free produce 

• Hosted 15 market days, offering ingredients like chipilín, hoja santa, and tomatillo 

• Increased access through SNAP, WIC, and senior vouchers, and achieved a 600% increase in Good Food Bucks usage 

• Introduced 18 new products and grew 200% more crop diversity 

• Organized 12 volunteer days to bring neighbors together 

• Mentored 6 youth interns, including 2 returning as paid Market Managers, to lead and educate others.

Thanks to a grant from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, we also upgraded our infrastructure with a solar array, a new compost system, refrigeration, new fencing, and a new system for accepting electronic payment—ensuring that our markets and gardens can thrive for years to come. 

We do this because food justice isn’t just about growing food, it’s about growing community, leadership, and access. 

In 2025, CATA didn’t just respond to injustice; we built power, we changed lives, we showed up. 

And we’ll keep showing up—because strong communities start with dignity and justice for everyone.