Community Navigator

The Community Navigator program relies on a "trusted messenger" model. By hiring and training people directly from the target low-wage and disenfranchised demographic in the food supply chain, greenhouse, landscaping, nursery and snow removal industries, FLAP bridges the trust gap between vulnerable workers and service providers.

Community Navigators travel to urban and rural areas reaching out to their own low-wage community to connect them, free of charge, with information and resources available to disenfranchised workers. Because Community Navigators are often members of the same community FLAP looks to help, they build trust and serve as effective liaisons between low-wage people and service providers empowering individuals and families to take control of their goals and connect with the resources they need.

Community Navigators are trained by FLAP and given the opportunity to attend conferences, workshops, presentations and fellowships to have knowledge to pass to their own low-wage community.

The program has economic mobility, a real impact, and career growth. Initially brought on as independent contractors, standout performers have successfully transitioned into permanent, internal staff leadership roles at FLAP. Since FLAP has started, four Community Navigators are now FLAP staff when initially they were hired as an Independent Contractors:

Alexandra Sossa transitioned to staff in 2001; now serves as Bilingual Chief Executive Officer. Adriana Hoyos transitioned to staff in 2023; now is the Bilingual Senior Economic Mobility and Outreach Advocate.

Gina Davila transitioned to staff in 2025, serving now as Executive Supporter.

Fidelia Salazar transitioned to staff in 2025, serving now as Bilingual Program Supervisor.