ABOUT US

TODEC Legal Center Perris (TODEC) seeks to empower disenfranchised immigrant communities to become economically, socially, educationally, and civically self-sufficient while enhancing individual self-esteem.  It continues to provide consumer education, advocacy, citizenship/naturalization, occupational, and remedial services that it began since 1984 prior to officially becoming a non-profit organization in 1996.  It serves a diverse population of special groups including: the disadvantaged, limited English speaking, difficult to serve, and hard to reach populations. TODEC's efforts reach more than 14,000 people annually and it has assisted thousands of people in becoming U.S citizens since it opened.

 

The creation for TODEC was a response to the difficulties its founders, Luz Maria and Antonio Ayala, faced as new immigrants.  For over 40 years they have worked diligently for the empowerment of immigrant communities by helping them adjust to American society. The center has allowed them to increase their community outreach and has provided a location for the education, advocacy, counseling, job placement, and naturalization programs they provide to achieve this goal. 

 

TODEC has become an integral part of Perris, serving as an information hub for immigrant communities there and in nearby cities. TODEC is trusted and respected by the community and local governments increasing the success of their efforts to bridge together marginal communities with mainstream ones. When community partners seek to inform the Latino community they hold meetings at the center. Even though it is centered in Perris, TODEC’s services reach the entire Inland Empire due to the partnerships it creates with churches and organizations in other cities as well as the advocacy and activism it is involved with at the  state and federal level.