Friday, March 2, 2007

WHO ARE WE

Damayan Migrant Education and Resource Center is a Center for Filipinos in the Greater Toronto Area. Damayan works for social and economic justice for Filipino workers. It is a resource and education centre that undertakes labour-related services, advocacy and social action relevant to the needs and interests of our compatriots; the Centre seeks participation of Filipinos in Toronto in all aspects of its organization and activities; It also seeks to build alliances with other migrant organizations and organizations of the host people that are pro-migrants.

HISTORY

Damayan was established in 2005 with the support of the Toronto Chinese Community Services Association (TCCSA). It started as a program that provided basic computer literacy course. It has since evolved to a Center for Filipinos with a comprehensive program. The Center is currently located in Mississauga and have access to the TCCSA facilities in their Center at Spadina.

CORE PROGRAMS

Education

· Skills for Change - an 8-week computer skills and rights training.

· Workshops and training on labour laws, health and safety, community leadership and workplace self-organization including relevant labour history.

· Education on the history of the Philippines, Filipino migration, and national situationers

Advocacy

· Undertakes appropriate action to represent the needs and interests of our compatriots and our members

Social Action

· Identifies, defines, and undertakes campaigns that target specific organizations, corporations, governments and policies that demonstrate unfair labour practices vis-à-vis Filipinos and immigrant workers;

· Supports the organizing of immigrant workers and building links between immigrants, immigrants organizations and unions.

Services

· Provides information on labour and immigration rights.

· Referrals to labour/immigrant services and resources.