Desmond Tutu has talked about the concept of “ubuntu,” in the context of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation process that they embarked on after apartheid. He says it means, “my humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in yours; we belong to a bundle of life.”
For over 20 years, the Malibu Community Labor Exchange (MCLE) has been a piece of the fabric that makes up Malibu’s richness, and, contrary to the rumors, we will continue to be. The MCLE is not closing its doors. In fact, we are upgrading our offices and have initiated talks between Santa Monica College, the City of Malibu and L.A. County to be a part of the new SMC satellite campus being built in Malibu beginning in mid-2016.
In 1993, the MCLE was created to establish a day worker hiring center as a convenient, organized and dignified alternative to day workers gathering on public street corners.
Who gathers at our offices looking for work? People gather who do house cleaning, child care, yard work, gardening and brush clearance; as well as skilled laborers, such as carpenters, plumbers and electricians. When you hire these people, you’re not just giving them a day’s pay. The jobs you provide serve as an opportunity for hard-working individuals to do an honest day’s work from which evolves a true self-respect — to be able to feed, clothe and put a roof over their family’s heads. It really is just that simple.
Check out our newly designed website, malibucommunitylaborexchange.org, stop by our location at 23595 Civic Center Way or call us at 310.317.4717 to schedule your worker.
We are proud to be a part of the Malibu community and express our gratitude for those who have welcomed us, supported us and made us feel like we belonged to this “ubuntu” bundle of life.
Kay Gabbard