TODEC

TODEC Logo

TODEC (Training Occupational Development Educating Communities) supports illegal immigration and related policies.

Luz Gallegos is Executuive Director.

History

Verbatim from the TODEC website:

In the early 1980’s, Luz Maria and Antonio Ayala were new Americans working to build a new home in Perris, CA. They had organized with the community in Michoacan Mexico and then with the United Farm Workers and Civil Rights Movement in Los Angeles before moving to the rural Inland Empire to grow their family.

They began to see many injustices impacting their neighbors in the Inland Empire in how they were treated harshly by employers, profiled by police and immigration, and ignored by politicians. In response, they founded TODEC to help their fellow recent immigrants learn English, secure citizenship, and create new connections in their chosen community.

Soon, our early leaders recognized that their growing community at TODEC had great potential as a convener and organizer for community empowerment. Our first major organizing win- the passage of the immigration bill in 1986 that granted amnesty to nearly 3 million new Americans- sparked our dedication to using TODEC as a hub for facilitating community organizing and ongoing power building.

They also recognized that too many people couldn’t take advantage of the new Reagan Amnesty policy because access to legal support and the education required to pass the civics and English exams were too expensive. TODEC knew they could fill in the gaps and started a free legal clinic, free classes, and civic engagement programs that would help families attain their status and become engaged and active as new Americans. Ever since, when our community tells us what they need, whether its English as a second language classes or greater protections for renters, we work together to meet them.

National Council of La Raza Affiliate

TODEC is listed as an "affiliate" of UnidosUS. Affliates are described in part as "community-based organizations that directly serve the Latino population across the country".

Democrats Attend TODEC Event

Excerpt:

The festival also presented the opportunity to celebrate the work of Luz Maria and Antonio Ayala, who 34 years ago established TODEC (Training Occupational Development Educating Communities) as a way to provide educational and job opportunities for immigrants while helping them complete citizenship classes and become U.S. citizens. Congressman Mark Takano (D-Riverside) topped the list of dignitaries taking part in the Sept. 23 festival.City representatives included Mayor Michael Vargas, Mayor Pro-Tem Malcolm Corona and City Manager Richard Belmudez.

Also on hand were Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff, representatives of State Senator Richard Roth, Assemblyman Jose Medina and Salomon Rosas, Head Consul ofthe Mexican Consulate in San Bernardino. “I am so proud ofthe great work TODEC has contributed to theCity of Perris,” Takano said.“It has helped so many immigrants adjust to life in our communities. It is highly appropriate that the multicultural festival celebrate the work of TODEC. The core of being in America is to know that no matter where you come from, you have the opportunity to contribute and thrive. That’s what makes this country very special.”

Luz Gallegos, TODEC Community Program Director and the daughter of the Ayalas, said she is proud that the organization has helped more than 100,000 immigrants become naturalized Americans. Perris is nearly 75 percent Hispanic, she said.