Who is COFEM?
Get to know us.
The Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM) is a non-profit organization aimed at creating opportunities for Latino Immigrants in North America, with a special focus in California. We are a community-based umbrella organization established by a league of federations or groups of people who share ideas and have continually participated in efforts to improve educational, health, social, and political conditions for our communities.
COFEM has defined specific themes, priorities, and the needs of greatest impact and interest to the Latino immigrant community, including binational economic development, civic participation, education, health, and organizational development.
Bi-national Economic Development
COFEM's bi-national economic development programs provide immigrants with the necessary tools to work and prosper within the context of America's complex financial and banking system. The bi-national economic programs also assist COFEM's member organizations with technical assistance to facilitate economic development projects in Mexico.
Civic Participation
COFEM's civic participation programs are aimed at strengthening the Latino community's role in the political process and ensuring that the Latino immigrant's voice is included in decision-making forums at state and federal levels in both the United States and Mexico.
Education
COFEM's educational programs are intended to increase educational opportunities for children and adults in the Latino immigrant community. A critical aspect of children's academic success is parent involvement. In recognition of this, COFEM's educational programs target the high drop-out rate of Latino students by involving parents in the educational process. COFEM also promotes early childhood education programs and initiatives.
Health
COFEM's health initiatives focus on wellness and disease prevention. The objective of these programs is to foster a culture of health and wellness and, at the same time, address the economic, educational, linguistic, and cultural barriers that affect the distribution of health services.
Organizational Development
COFEM's organizational development programs are aimed at strengthening COFEM's internal organizational structure, processes, and overall functioning. This emphasis on organizational development ensures a vibrant, resilient, and enduring organization, which in turn places COFEM in a powerful position to assist the Latino community through current and future service offerings. Moreover, as COFEM embraces additional Clubs and Mexican Federations, COFEM can play an even stronger role and wield more significant political influence on behalf of the Latino community.
Meet the Team
Leticia Gomez
Office Manager, Coachella Valley Office
Anayeli Gallindo
Environmental Fellow
Vanessa Pedraza
Volunteer Clerck Aide
Ruben Fernandez
Volunteer Maintenance Aide
Board of Directors
Idelfonso Gastelum, Fraternidad Sinaloense de California
President
Raúl Macías, Anahuak Youth Sports Association
Vice President
Carlos Martínez, Federación Duranguense USA
Secretary
Regina Vega, Federación de Guanajuatenses
Treasurer
Luis Escalera, Federación de Michoacán
Pro-Treasurer
Xóchitl Castañeda, Ph.D., UC Berkeley
Board Member
Maria Elena Serrano, Diputada Migrante LXV legislatura 2021-2024
Board Member
Francisco Moreno, Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM)
Non-voting Board Member
Magdalena Morales
Board Member