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Welcome
The Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is dedicated to advancing the Latino community through public policy, community organizing, education, and cultural projects.
Our Mission
The mission of the Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is to empower immigrant communities to be full participants in the social, political, economic, and cultural life of the United States and their home country. We accomplish this work by uniting, strengthening, and expanding our member organizations to better advocate, preserve and share their cultural traditions and help improve the lives of families and friends in their country of origin.
Vision
We envision a fair and inclusive America where immigrant communities have a voice, access to the Citizenship process and the ability to preserve their cultural identity.
Focus
The union of organizations within COFEM has contributed to the development of a bi-national agenda that addresses critical matters facing Latino immigrants in the United States and Mexico. Through an extensive planning process, COFEM has defined specific themes, priorities, and needs of greatest impact and interest to the Latino immigrant community in California. As a result of this planning process, COFEM has identified a strategic focus in five main areas: education, health, civic participation, bi-national economic development, and organizational development.
The Month's Events
Upcoming Events
Immigrants Are Los Angeles Event: Envejecer Con DignidadThu, Sep 24CARECEN LA
Cafecito con COFEMFri, Sep 25NewStart Housing Corporation
2nd Annual Latino Carnaval In South CentralSat, Sep 26The Reef
Cafecito con COFEMFri, Oct 23NewStart Housing Corporation
Cafecito con COFEM y El Colegio De CerritosSat, Oct 2411110 Alondra Blvd
¡A votar, se ha dicho! | Let’s Go Vote!Tue, Nov 03Location is TBD
¿Y Si Sí Votamos?
Youth Civic Engagement Challenge
COFEM invites young people ages 16–19 in Southeast Los Angeles to participate in the ¿Y Si Sí Votamos? Youth Civic Engagement Challenge.
Create a 30–90 second video or Reel sharing your thoughts on voting, civic participation, and how young people can create change in their communities.
What Can You Share?
Respond to one of our prompts or share a saying, proverb, or phrase that inspires you to participate in your community.
Prizes
🥇 1st Place: $3,000
🥈 2nd Place: $2,000
🥉 3rd Place: $1,000
Plus, COFEM will award four additional $500 prizes!
Who Can Participate?
Young people ages 16–19
Live, work, or attend school in Southeast Los Angeles
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or registered to vote to participate.
How to Participate
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Create your 30–90 second video or Reel.
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Post it publicly on an eligible social media platform.
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Use #YSiSiVotamos #SELADecide #YouthVoteSELA and tag the required partner organizations.
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Complete the entry form and submit your video link here.
Deadline: October 31, 2026
For complete contest rules and requirements, please review the participation form.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS | CONOCE TUS DERECHOS
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Our Story
The Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is a community-based umbrella organization comprised of groups of people who share ideas and participate in efforts to create opportunities for Latino immigrants in North America, specifically in California. The overarching purpose of the organization is to ensure equality of opportunity for members of the Latino community.
COFEM represents 11 organizations (or “Federations”), which include people from specific states of the Mexican Republic. These federations help to nurture enduring cultural values through broad support to the Mexican community at the bi-national level. Through projects of economic and social development, strategic civic participation, and cultural and social events (e.g., "charreadas") and cultural weeks, the federations have strengthened their bases. The federations' sponsored events link thousands of immigrants in a very important way, celebrating the rich Mexican culture and traditions and organizing Latinos in North America. These federations have the opportunity to wield significant political power through their growing memberships.
Founded a little more than 30 years ago, the federations that comprise COFEM can organize and mobilize the Latin American immigrant community on a large scale. This provides COFEM with a foundation to develop a bi-national agenda that takes into account the origin towns in Mexico and focuses on improving the economic and social conditions of these Latino immigrants.
