You can say most people hope to one day make a difference, improving their communities for the better.

Enrique Balcazar is the embodiment of that hope as a community organizer with Migrant Justice.

“Our lived experience in Vermont right now is different than it was a decade ago,” Balcazar said.

Since 2009, the organization has worked to address some of the abuses migrant workers face within the dairy industry.

Migrant Justice has tackled issues ranging from worker protection to improving labor conditions through programs like Milk with Dignity.

“It [Milk with Dignity] covers nearly 300 workers on dozens of farms throughout the region, and that means that those workers are getting higher wages, living in better housing [and] they have better health and safety protections,” Balcazar said. “If they do get injured, they can take time off and get their injuries dealt with.”