Accompaniment (Standing With Others)

We believe that a just, rural New York — its political, educational, judicial and food systems — involves all of us. We also believe that those who courageously call out for justice need others to stand with them — to accompany them in this quest. The Accompaniment Program of Rural & Migrant Ministry is about working together, learning from one another, and inspiring one another.

The Accompaniment Program is also rooted in the belief that those who are impacted by decision-making need to be at the table where those decisions are made. And if there are impediments to their participation, those barriers need to be removed.

From our very beginning, we have sought to address policies and structures that deny farmworkers and other rural workers equality, justice and hope. We have done this by accompanying workers as they seek to change these systems, and we have done this by organizing and educating allies to stand with workers and their families – using our privilege and access in support of the workers. In order to be effective, we have invited a diversity of allies from the faith, labor and student communities to join us.