Tenant Organizer

 Montserrat emigrated to the United states in 1987, shortly after her arrival, she started to work as a housecleaner and babysitter until 1997 when she underwent surgery and had to stop working.  After recuperating, in 1998 she started looking for a job and came across IDEPSCA, a non profit organization working with day-laborers or “Jornaleros.”  There, Montserrat participated in the discussions, retreats, and meetings convened by SAJE and City Council office.  She soon realized that she wanted to do more for her family and fellow “domesticas,” and she was offered a job as manger of the domestic worker cooperative in the center.  She enrolled in ESL classes and computer courses at the local community college.  In 2005, she completed a six months training course as a community health promoter provided by Esperanza Community Housing Corporation.  After the completion of the program, she did her internship with Coalition for Economic Survival where she served as a health educator, tenant outreach provider, recruitment specialist, and assisted in mobilizing tenants for large demonstrations and events. Upon completion of the internship she went to work for Inquilinos Unidos, where she ran their Rent Escrow Account Program, performing outreach, education, and served as a voice for tenants who have problems in their homes.

Currently she is putting all of these skills together for the Healthy Homes Collaborative, where she performs clerical and training support. She teaches tenants about “green cleaning” methods that are least toxic and helps them understand their role in integrated pest management. She is able to reach chronically underserved communities who experience cultural and linguistic isolation in the Los Angeles region.