ALAS – An Amazing Organization

My name is Ken Mano, my wife is Carolyn, we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in Pleasanton. We have a calling as Service Missionaries and our calling is very unique, because we visit nonprofits throughout the Bay Area, from Richmond to Monterey, to see what our church can do to help those in need. The help may be in the form of a Humanitarian Grant, food, or volunteer help by members in our local congregations, there are some guidelines and not all organizations qualify. We meet some of the most amazing and dedicated people on this planet, whose purpose in life is to help others who need some assistance.

One of these organizations is ALAS, in Half Moon Bay. These amazing people are dedicated to bettering the lives of local farmworkers, who have had many challenges in recent times with the shootings and flooding in the area. The floods have not only devastated crops, but the lives and livelihood of hundreds of farmworkers.

Their staff has increased greatly with the need among this community. They have a food pantry, they provide social and mental counseling, education, art, music and other cultural activities and events. They assist with language translation and training, as well as childhood development, anything they can do to help better their life.

Their main office is in a renovated home on Purissima Street, but with their growth they have other offices in several nearby buildings, even a little store on main street to sell crafts by the wives and children of the farmworkers. You’ll notice the bright yellow paint on the building, but the inside and back yard are even brighter, all to let the farm workers know they are loved, they are welcome and have a cheery place to come. They even have a brightly colored bus to take to the farms to provide education, classes, and other activities.

We were so impressed with Anna, Sandy and Kique, who welcomed us with smiles, open arms and their hearts. It was obvious that they love what they do and are dedicated to their task of helping the farm workers and many others in the community by improving their life and helping them on the road to self-sufficiency.