Non-Profit Job Center Aids Immigrants Despite Town Protesters

I bought a condo in Jupiter, Fl 3 years ago. Every saturday while running local errands, I would notice the sight of local picketers holding up signs protesting just outside the town's El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center. The center primarily assists Hispanic immigrants in getting work; most of them are from Guatemala and undocumented. Clients regularly come to the center looking for workers to do jobs in their homes and small businesses. The jobs are usually in landscaping, painting and other handyman work.

Located in the high profile intersection of Military Trail and Indiantown Rd, El Sol is the only non-profit center in Palm Beach County to provide such services. Currently, there are around 100 volunteers and around 125 workers. The center stands next to the Police Department and Jupiter's Town Hall Center. The facility offers English education, sewing, computers, some legal counseling and recreational activities. Workers are also provided a small breakfast and lunch daily. Although a health clinic was recently closed, the center is currently working with local hospitals and local charities on a healthcare plan. Its funding comes from local businesses, churches and other charitable agencies.



El Sol was established in 2008. It was a solution for the increase in Jupiter migrants who went around town soliciting for work.

It is also a source of anger and indignation among some local citizens who have long argued the center hurts the chances of actual American citizens finding low-skill work. Others are concerned with paying taxes to support these immigrants; many who rely on bicycles for transportation. Many families are seen walking along Indiantown Rd for miles.


According to Attorney Jill Hanson, former president of El Sol, the center provides work to approximately 25-30% of workers on a daily basis. "We haven't seen the protesters since the recent election, there hasn't been any significant problems", says Hanson "maybe a few issues in regards to local police racial profiling". One of El-Sol's workers, Roberto, 39, came from Guatemala 8 years ago, leaving behind his immediate family. He has been finding work consistently at El Sol for the past 2 years, "It depends, sometimes I work 3 times a week and maybe even every day of the week, so it's working out for me thankfully" he says, "I don't see the protesters anymore, they never really bothered me. I think they got tired of standing out there."

DiPaolo, Bill (June 6, 2010). Documentary to Feature Jupiter's El Sol Center, Guatemalan Town. Retrieved from http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/documentary-to-feature-jupiters-el-sol-center-guatemalan-163032.html

(June 5, 2008). Sun Sentinel image "Marion Bonsignore holds her sign and the American flag in protest against illegal immigrants in front of the El Sol Center in Jupiter". http://doctorbulldog.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/protesters-in-jupiter-target-center-that-helps-immigrant-laborers/

Hiring Hall online. Image retrieved on 3-20-2011.  http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7GmYcrdcHJM/0.jpg