Thai Community Development Center
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The Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC) was founded in April 1994 on the idea that all peoples have a basic right to a decent standard of living and quality of life. Our mission is "to advance the social and economic well-being of low and moderate income Thais and other ethnic communities in the greater Los Angeles area through a comprehensive community development strategy including human rights advocacy, affordable housing, access to healthcare, promotion of small businesses, neighborhood empowerment, and social enterprises."
Mayoral Candidates' Forum for the East Hollywood Community
Please join us on Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at Los Angeles City College from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. We cordially invite you to attend for the opportunity to meet the 2013 Mayoral Candidates and ask them questions. There will be a Q&A Session and light refreshments.
You can submit your questions online here: Questions to the Mayoral Candidates
Location: Room Chem 103 at Los Angeles City College
855 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90029
Please click here for more information: 2013 Mayoral Candidates' Forum
In foreclosure in 2009 or 2010? You may be eligible for compensation or other remedy.
If your primary residence was involved in a foreclosure process between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, you may qualify for a FREE Independent Foreclosure Review.
The Independent Foreclosure Review will determine whether individual borrowers suffered financial injury and should receive compensation or other remedy because of errors or other problems during their home foreclosure process.
Eligible customers were mailed a letter explaining the Independent Foreclosure Review process and a Request for Review Form. If you believe that you are eligible to participate in the program, you may call the number below to askfor a Request for Review Form. All Request for Review Forms must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2012.
For more information about the FREE foreclosure review, visit IndependentForeclosureReview.com or call 1-888-952-9105 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. ET or Saturday, 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. ET.
Please click The Independent Foreclosure Review to view the IFR complete flyer with FAQ's.
Thai CDC's 2012 Tax Assistance Sessions at Palm Village Senior Housing
Thai CDC's FREE tax preparation assistance in collaboration with the American Aging and Retired Persons and the Thai American Chamber of Commerce of California will be held at Palm Village Senior Housing this year on the following Sundays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm:
March 11th
March 18th
April 8th
Please contact Rick at (323) 468-2555 to schedule an appointment. Walk-in welcome.
Palm Village Senior Housing
9050 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Sun Valley, CA 91352
Six Taste Partners With Community Organizations For Holiday Season - Portion of Tour Proceeds Donated to Charity
Six Taste will donate twenty percent (20%) of proceeds from Thai Town tours purchased between December 1st and December 31st using the promo code [TTGIFT2011] to the Thai Community Development Center. The Thai CDC is a non-profit dedicated to advancing the social and economic well-being of low and moderate income Thais and other ethnic communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Six Taste founder, Jeff Okita says it’s important to work with groups such as Thai CDC because “now, more than ever, it is important to support non-profit organizations that we feel are continuing to make a positive impact in Los Angeles communities.”
THE WORLD ONLY CHANGES BECAUSE SOME BELIEVE IT CAN.
Juniors and seniors: apply by January 25, 2012
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Student Leaders® Program is accepting applications for the 2012 program. In recognition of Thai CDC's commitment to young people, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Student Leaders® Program is asking for our help to spread the word about this exciting leadership opportunity. As part of the company’s lending, investing and giving to strengthen the communities Bank of America serves, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program has recognized more than 1,600 exemplary high school juniors and seniors with a passion for improving their communities. The program helps students gain a greater understanding of how nonprofits create impact in the community and develops them as the next generation of community leaders through two components:
(1) A summer 2012 eight-week paid summer internship with selected nonprofit organizations designed to provide opportunities for the students to develop and apply leadership skills through hands-on work experience, while raising their awareness of community issues addressed by their host organization.
(2) A week-long all-expense paid Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., July 15-20, 2012. Conducted in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, the Summit introduces students to aspects of civic, social and business leadership and provides them with knowledge and skills they will use throughout their life to create positive community change.
If you're committed to making a positive impact in your community, Bank of America can help. The Student Leaders® Program will help you connect with other community-minded students and experience how nonprofits, business and government can cooperate to improve communities. For more information on the Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Student Leaders® Program, please visit the website at Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Student Leaders® Program.
Purchase your 2011 Season’s Greetings Card from Thai CDC Today and Give Back to the Community!
Now available, Thai CDC’s very own - Apsonsi Thai Angel Season's Greetings Card – get a set of 5 for $25 (not including shipping and handling)! The cards are one of a kind that you can’t find anywhere else or in any store. Your friends and families will be impressed by the uniqueness of the cards.
Yo...ur purchase benefits efforts currently underway by Thai CDC to beautify Thai Town and make it LA’s top cultural destination! Every card that you send out to family and friends does not only carry your warm wishes, but it also demonstrates your desire to make an impact in your community at the end of 2011 and beyond.
To purchase the cards, please contact Pichaya at (323) 468-2555 or pichaya@thaicdc.org. We will ship them out to you right away.
Thai CDC Announces Yet Another Victory for Its Thai Welder’s Case!
On Tuesday, November 22, 2011, the Recruiter Was Found Guilty of Visa Fraud by the Jury. The Workers See Justice Being Served Again Since Winning their Settlement in 2006 from Trans Bay Steel Corporation after Escaping to Thai CDC in 2002.
The new reports of the latest victory were published in 146 different news outlets. The links for all of them can be found by doing a Google search under Yoo Taik Kim. Here is one from CBS: Man guilty of visa fraud in Thai welders case
Thai CDC Receives Inclusionary Award from Assemblymember Mike Eng
Assemblyman Mike Eng (D-Alhambra) hosted the Day of Inclusion Inclusionary Awards Ceremony event on December 9th, 2011, at the Hilton San Gabriel located at 225 W Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776, and has selected Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC) as one of the honorees who has improved the living conditions of Asian immigrants in California.
Assemblyman Eng authored California State Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 76 to recognize the turning point in the society when the racist and unjust law, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, was repealed, showing the United States’ commitment to racial, cultural, and religious tolerance. After the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was repealed, it was evident that the US wanted to break down cultural and language barriers, appreciate the cultural diversity, and promote tolerance for different cultures. Every December 17 is a day for all Americans to acknowledge the Asian Americans’ struggles and sacrifices, as well as their contributions to the United States. It is great news that Thai CDC has been recognized as one of the Californian organizations that promotes the well-being of Asian immigrants.
For more information about the Day of Inclusion, visit December 17.
Thai Community Development Center Awarded a Subcontract by US Committee for Immigrants and Refugees to Continue Anti-Trafficking
The Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC) was recently awarded a subcontract to continue the anti-trafficking services by a new agency called the U.S. Committee for Immigrants and Refugees (USCIR). The federal government awarded the USCIR to administer the anti-trafficking program nationwide. It was difficult, if not impossible, for even the new contracted agency to dismiss or ignore Thai CDC because our organization has proven to be a leading service provider with the largest number of human-trafficking victims.
The California Community Foundation Invites Thai CDC Executive Director on to the Council on Immigrant Integration
The California Community Foundation (CCF) has invited Thai CDC Executive Director Chancee Martorell to join CCF's Council on Immigrant Integration, providing additional support to Thai CDC’s core mission of helping Thai immigrants.
Thai CDC is a 2011 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Awardee!
Thai CDC Awarded $67,623 from USDA for its Farmers Market Project
History of Thais in Los Angeles Explored in New Book
Local authors Chanchanit "Chancee" Martorell and Beatrice "Tippe" Morlan release Thais in Los Angeles featuring stunning collection of vintage photographs.
M.R. Sukhumbhand Paripatra, the 15th Governor of Bangkok, receives a copy of Thais in Los Angeles during his visit to City Hall in July 2011.
The Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, obtains Thais in Los Angeles from Thai CDC Executive Director Chancee Martorell in his office conference room on July 13, 2011.
Books are available at Thai CDC tax free. All 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the non-profit, Thai CDC, if books are purchased from us. To purchase your book from Thai CDC, please call Rick at (323) 468-2555 or email him at rakchai@thaicdc.org.
Al Jazeera's Slavery: A 21st Century Evil series uncover the truth about the flourishing 21st century slave trade. In the Food Chain Slaves episode, reporter Rageh Omaar interviews trafficked victims from the poor villages of Thailand, where agents for the Beverly Hills-based farm labor recruitment company, Global Horizons Manpower Inc., tricked desperate peasants with promises of well-paid jobs abroad.
Slavery: A 21st Century Evil - Food chain slaves
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors - Redistricting Hearing September 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 was a historic day for Los Angeles County when approximately 1,300 people attended the Board of Supervisors’ final redistricting hearing. One of the community organization representatives who provided his testimony at the hearing was Alex Holsheimer, Project Manager of the Thai Community Development Center. After hearing hours of emotional testimonies from hundreds of speakers, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a redistricting map in a 4-1 vote for the A3 amended redistricting plan that largely preserves the political cohesion of the Asian Pacific Islander community, which was also supported by Zev Yaroslavsky and Michael D. Antonovich.
The API community was not opposed to an additional Latino voting rights district. But the proposed district risked diluting the political influence of APIs by dividing the community, mostly within Supervisorial District 4. Thais in Hollywood and the Valley are currently located within the 3rd Supervisorial District. Both TI and S2 plans would have actually kept the Thai community intact within a single district, although probably not within the 3rd. We decided to side with the A3 amended plan to support general API interests and prevent the dramatic dissolution of political power within District 4 and others. In the future, we hope to work more closely with all communities to ensure that the best solutions for each community are proposed.
Mr. Holsheimer’s remarks are as follows:
Get the Edge to Grow your Business or Start a Business!
12th Annual Asian Small Business Expo at the Wilshire Grand Hotel on Saturday, September 24, 2011
9:00am - 3:00pm
FREE Admission
The Wilshire Grand Hotel
930 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Don't miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives.
To learn more about Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP), please visit http://www.apisbp.org/expo/
Thai CDC has partnered with Bank on Los Angeles. We will help connect Bank on Los Angeles with unbanked Angelinos looking to take the first step on the road to financial security!
Bank on Los Angeles is a collaborative, voluntary initiative that brings together the Office of the Mayor, financial institutions, community-based organizations, business, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and federal and state regulatory agencies. The goal is to help unbanked and under-banked Angelenos gain, or improve, their financial stability through financial education and help them enter the financial mainstream by opening starter bank accounts, where they can begin to save, build a credit history, gain access to lower-cost sources of credit, and invest for their future.
For more information, please contact Thai CDC at 323-468-2555.
GARCETTI WELCOMES BANGKOK GOVERNOR TO LOS ANGELES
Thai CDC had the pleasure of organizing the BKK Governor's visit to City Hall that took place Wednesday, July 13, 2011. M.R. Sukhumbhand Paripatra, the 15th Governor of Bangkok, was accompanied by a 15-member delegation along with the Royal Thai Consulate of LA. The delegation was in town to receive the 2011 World's Best City title from Travel & Leisure Magazine. Thai CDC arranged the presentation of a proclamation by City Council President Eric Garcetti in City Council Chambers. While in Council Chambers, Council President Garcetti spoke along with Councilman Tom La Bonge, Councilman Paul Krekorian, Councilman Bill Rosendahl, Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paripatra, Deputy Consul General Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, and Thai CDC Executive Director Chancee Martorell.
Thai CDC also arranged for the meeting with the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, in his office conference room.
Thai CDC was able to present the BKK Governor with the Thais in Los Angeles book as well as to the Mayor along with Thai New Year's Day Festival caps, polo shirts and certificates to the Mayor, Councilman Tom La Bonge, and Councilman Eric Garcetti.
***Action Alert***
National CAPACD, the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, has just learned that Transportation and HUD Subcommittee staff are recommending no funding for HUD Housing Counseling in the FY 2012 Budget. This means that HUD Housing Counseling will be zeroed out for a second year in a row. This will mean tens of thousands of people not served, housing counselor layoffs, and agency closings. We need to act now. Next week will be too late.
Call the members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and tell them: I understand this is a difficult budget year, but we have a housing crisis. First-time homebuyers, senior homeowners, renters, homeless individuals, and families need housing counseling. And we need counseling to help the housing markets recover. I urge you to restore $87.5 million into the FY2012 budget for HUD housing counseling. Please click to see the List of the House Subcommittee Appropriators You Can Call.
Or call your Representative and tell them to reach out to the THUD subcommittee members and request $87.5 Million for HUD Housing Counseling. House of Representatives: 877-851-6437 & 866-220-0044 . To find your Representatives, enter your zip code on this website: Members of Congress - Find A Representative
Also, please sign this petition telling your Congressional Representative that housing counseling funding should be restored: Tell Congress: Restore Housing Counseling to Keep People in Their Homes!
Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program Receives $100,000 from Wells Fargo
Despite continuing challenges in the economy, the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP) received a $100,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support the Asian Pacific Islander entrepreneur community in Greater Los Angeles.
Press Release of Wells Fargo's Presentation of Its $100,000 Contribution to API SBP
URGENT ACTION NEEDED NOW
TO PREVENT LOSS OF SERVICES TO TRAFFICKED VICTIMS
The Thai CDC SERI Project was featured on CNN, on Wednesday, June 22th
Donate today and save our program!
THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT
Legal Problems Build for Global Horizons CEO; Alleged Human Trafficker Loses First Round in Civil Labor Case, But Has Already Appealed
News Article by Hawaii Reporter's Malia Zimmerman
Thai CDC Receives Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Award
for Its Partnership and Commitment to Civil Rights in Employment on the Occasion of the 45th Anniversary of EEOC and the US Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
Chancee Martorell: “The precedent setting partnership with EEOC and its ability to recognize a trafficking case and its strong desire to pursue it to the fullest in order to achieve real justice for the victims and the EEOC’s vision to expand its role and ability to take on such cases helped the victims of the Trans Bay case finally achieve justice at the end. As a result of the very positive and ground breaking outcome for the victims stemming from our partnership, Thai CDC is now working with EEOC on yet another human trafficking and forced labor case, considered the largest in US history involving Thai farmworkers.”
Chancee Martorell Nominated for The Eighth Annual Asian Heritage Awards
in the Humanitarian Category
Click to vote here and scroll down to the Humanitarian category
where you’ll find Chancee’s name and other well deserving individuals and organizations.
LATEST DEVELOPMENT
US Labor Judge Orders Back-wages for Thai Workers in Hawaii,
Fine for California Recruitment Company
News Article by the Associated Press
THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT
Shane Germann, the 2nd Person of 8 Indicted in the Largest Human Trafficking Scheme in America,
Changes His Plea from Not Guilty
News Article by Hawaii Reporter's Malia Zimmerman
History of Thais in Los Angeles Explored in New Book
Local authors Chanchanit Martorell and Beatrice "Tippe" Morlan release new book featuring stunning collection of vintage photographs
Books are available at Thai CDC tax free and at prices that beat retailers and Amazon. All 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the non-profit, Thai CDC, if books are purchased from Thai CDC. Books are also available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers. To purchase your book from Thai CDC, please call Rick at (323) 468-2555 or email him at rakchai@thaicdc.org.
Helps Homeowners Avoid Foreclosures and Scams during the 13th Annual National Consumer Protection Week
Press Release in Thai, English
An Evening of Conversation with the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villarigosa
Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 6:45 - 8:15 PM @ Thailand Plaza Restaurant, 5321 Hollywood Blvd, 90027
Click here to RSVP & submit your questions
or Call Rick at (323) 468-2555 by Feb. 11, 2011
This event is partially funded by the California Community Foundation
Free Income Tax Return Assistance, 2011
Sunday, February 13/ February 27/ March 13/ March 27/ April 10/ April 17 from 10 am to 3 pm
@ Sun Valley Senior Housing (info in Thai)
Partnership with the Association of American Retired Persons, the State Board of Equalization, the Thai Chamber of Commerce of California and the Thai Association of Southern California
News on Thai Farmwrokers Trafficking and Slavery Case
FBI: the Largest Human Trafficking Case in U.S. History
News Update from the U.S. Department of Justice 01/14/2011: Two Additional Defendants Charged in Human Trafficking Case Involving Scheme to Hold 400 Thai Nationals in Forced Agricultural Labor
Click here to read more news on this case and other human trafficking cases Thai CDC has worked on
Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program Receives $100,000 from Wells Fargo
April 20, 2010
Despite continuing challenges in the economy, the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (API SBP) received a $100,000 donation from the Wells Fargo Foundation as part of the company's ongoing commitment to support the Asian Pacific Islander business community in Greater Los Angeles.
Take a Trip Down Thai Town's Decade of Accomplishments
You could find Thai Town's 10 years historic milestones, survey results, and accomplishments
- Thai Town, designated on October 27, 1999, celebrates its 10th birthday this year -
Take a Look at Our Thai Town 10th Year Anniversary Commemoration Photos
LA Times: Grants Aim to Help Immigrants Fit into U.S. Society
Thai CDC receives $160,000 from the California Community Foundation to help immigrants particpate in the planning process around major real estate development projects in Central Hollywood to ensure that they benefit from the developments in the way of affordable housing, jobs, and small business opportunities.
What is HD-OD? Why is this related to you? You can click here to find out more.
East Hollywood Chosen as Pilot Site for Managing Neighborhood Change Project
Thai CDC is one of 3 sites selected in the United States by the National Alliance for Community Economic Development Associations to participate in their Managing Neighborhood Change initiative. Thai CDC will monitor and manage the changes occuring in East Hollywood/Thai Town to reap more benefits for the community.
Garden With The Community!
Thai CDC invites the community to break up concrete with us at our garden plot at the new East Hollywood Fountain Community Garden at St. Andrews Street and Fountain Avenue. The garden is supported by community residents, the Community Redevelopment Agency and the office of Councilman Eric Garcetti. For more information on how to get involved and grow your own food free of charge, contact Alex Holsheimer at Thai CDC at (323) 468-2555.