Todec Legal Center Opens First-Ever Farmworker Justice Center In The Coachella Valley

This week marked a historic milestone for the Coachella Valley with the grand opening of its first Farmworker Justice Center—an initiative aimed at supporting the area’s vital agricultural workforce. Spearheaded by the TODEC Legal Center, the new facility provides free, walk-in services to farmworkers and immigrant families without requiring paperwork or identification.

More than 10,000 farmworkers live and work in the Coachella Valley, often enduring long hours in the fields with limited access to critical resources. The Justice Center offers a wide array of services including enrollment in public benefits like Medi-Cal and CalFresh, housing assistance, digital access, and labor rights education. "In California, we have strong laws, they are protected. But if workers do not know what to do, do not know what their rights are, then they're essentially exposed, and this center is helping us reach more workers to ensure they understand their rights.” said Lilia Garcia-Bower, the California State Labor Commissioner.

Coachella City Mayor Steven Hernandez praised the center, calling it essential in a time of growing uncertainty, "You know that we're living in difficult times. We're living in uncertain times, and the more access we have, the better we'll be.” Hernandez said.