Photo Credit: Janice Ledgerwood

[FRESNO, Calif.] The Central Valley IAF Sponsoring Committee made a significant stride last week as over 300 people from across Fresno County gathered for a bilingual community assembly at St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church—the largest action that local leaders have organized thus far.

Conducted in both English and Spanish, the event drew residents, faith leaders, and local officials, reflecting the rich diversity of the area.

New leader Eva Lopez, a student at the Fresno State Humanics Program, shared a story about pressures her family and the undocumented community are facing in the rural agricultural town of Huron. Credit: Janice Ledgerwood

Leaders took to the stage to share stories of personal growth and institutional development they've experienced as a result of taking part in a recent Conversation Campaign and IAF trainings. Many spoke of the deeper relationships they've built through these conversations and insights they've gained about how to strengthen their institutions and build relational power to make change.

Among key issues that emerged was the plight of low-income families in rural areas. Many are grappling with further economic upheaval as landowners are transitioning hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland from agriculture to solar energy production due to widespread water shortages.

St. Anthony Mary Claret parishioners Consuelo Cruz and Alex Burgos share personal stories of getting into traffic collisions at unsafe intersections along South Chestnut Avenue. Credit: Janice Ledgerwood

Another major concern focused on frequent traffic collisions along South Avenue, a critical road running through unincorporated rural areas Southeast of the City of Fresno, where many farm workers and immigrant families reside.

Representatives from the local sheriff’s office and California Highway Patrol made enthusiastic commitments to collaborate with IAF leaders to address traffic safety concerns.

"Absolutely, yes," said California Highway Patrol Captain Austin Matulonis. "We need your help, and you have the power to make a difference."

Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Fresno Catholic Diocese expresses his support for IAF organizing efforts in the Central Valley. Credit: Janice Ledgerwood

Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Fresno Diocese also attended the assembly and expressed strong support for the organizing efforts, stating, "Frankly, more parishes should be involved in this."

Said new leader Alex Burgos: "At first, I wasn’t interested in Central Valley IAF because I thought it would take time away from other priorities. But through this experience, I’ve realized that it just helps me to be more effective at accomplishing what I want to do, which is to serve my parish and make a safer community for all of us to live in."

The assembly marked a major step forward in gaining local recognition, uniting the community around shared struggles, and "becoming a people," in the words of Pope Francis.