Leaving your family and coming to work far from home as a temporary guest worker, whether H-2A or domestic, can be a challenging ordeal and often lead to personal and emotional issues that can lead to more serious problems. The management team at Fresh Harvest understand these realities and has partnered with Workforce Chaplaincy to counsel, mentor and attend to employees who suffer a crisis while on the job, with family back at home or just need someone to talk to about the challenges of life.
MEET OUR CHAPLAIN TEAM
We have a staff of six chaplains who make regular weekly visits to our housing facilities and worksites to deal with the day to day stresses that can arise. When an employee has a crisis, our chaplain’s provide early intervention and respond with direct help, guidance, and support with trust and confidentiality. Employees are provided with our chaplain’s contact information and can call on them at any time, by text or phone, to schedule a visit, meal or counseling appointment when the need arises. In addition to crisis management, our chaplain’s help our guest workers with basic life skills such as opening a bank account, teaching financial responsibility, assisting with any medical or personal needs and getting them connected with resources available in the communities they live. Every employee interaction with our chaplains is kept completely confidential so our employees know that whatever crisis they may face, they have a trusted person to turn to. Fresh Harvest is proud to partner with Workforce Chaplaincy to empower our employees with the spiritual and mental support they need while working so far away from home and family. This service is totally free, financed and paid for by Fresh Harvest, Inc. for the benefit of our valued employees.
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DR. PAUL GENDRON, DIRECTOR OF CHAPLAIN CARE PROGRAM
Dr. Paul is the founder and president of Workforce Chaplaincy. In 2005 he saw the need for employers to meet their employees’ outside-of-work needs right where they are during the mountains and valleys of life.... at their place of employment. Dr. Paul has been serving Fresh Harvest since September 2017 and is highly equipped to oversee and assist the fresh harvest chaplaincy team as they serve our employees throughout the Scaroni Family of Companies. His doctorates and certifications range from Marriage and Financial Counseling to Suicide Prevention. Verses to live by: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 |
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DAVID ESCOBAR, CHAPLAIN
Chaplain David Escobar is from Mexicali where he serves as a pastor. He has been serving Fresh Harvest in the Salinas Valley and surrounding areas since October 2018. It has been an exciting privilege for him to bring spiritual, emotional and financial health to the workers in a corporate workforce setting. Some of his most gratifying work is bringing hope to employees when the rigors of being away from home and family or suffering from a loss cause them distress and sadness. Verses to live by: “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39 |
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JUAN GUTIERREZ, CHAPLAIN
Chaplain Juan Gutierrez is from Tulare County where he pastors two churches. He serves as a chaplain to our employees based in the San Joaquin Valley area. He has worked as a chaplain for nine years and welcomed the chance to serve Fresh Harvest workers in October of 2017. He has a heart for workers coming from Mexico and enjoys helping them use this great opportunity to better serve their own families and their futures. Verses to live by: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 |
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JOHN F. PARRA, CHAPLAIN
Chaplain John F. Parra originates from Bogotá, Colombia, and lives in Mexicali where he is an assistant pastor. He serves as a chaplain to our employees working in Baja California and Yuma. Chaplain John started with Fresh Harvest in September 2019. He looks forward to each day as an opportunity to serve and motivate our employees in Mexicali and Yuma as they go through their training and US entry processes in Tijuana. He can relate to our employees who are so far away from their homes and encourages them to be their best. Verses to live by: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;” Isaiah 61:1 |
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RUBEN QUINTERO, CHAPLAIN
Chaplain Ruben Quintero is married and lives in California’s Imperial Valley. He serves our employees working in Imperial County and Riverside. Chaplain Quintero has been a pastor in El Centro for 10 years and has been with Fresh Harvest since November of 2017. He enjoys interacting with the Fresh Harvest employees as well as listening to them and making himself available to help or guide them in practical and spiritual areas when requested. Verses to live by: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" Matthew 16:24. |
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JUAN PARRA, CHAPLAIN
Chaplain Juan Parra was born in Chicago Illinois to migrant parents who worked and followed the harvest. He now lives in Ventura County where he has been called to spread the gospel and work as a senior pastor. He serves as a chaplain for our employees in Oxnard and Santa Maria. Chaplain Juan accepted the position as a Fresh Harvest chaplain when he discovered a large group of Fresh Harvest workers were in immediate proximity of his congregation and he felt called to serve them. Verses to live by: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 |
SEE OUR CHAPLAINS IN ACTION
WORKSHOP TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEES
