SUCCESS AND IMPACT

Since its founding in 1968, TELACU has promoted housing rehabilitation, urban planning, real estate development, and higher education in the East Los Angeles community. Under Torres and Lizarraga’s guidance, the organization has transformed from being an UAW underlying organization into Southern California's largest minority firm with over $600 million in assets. This success is largely a result of its economic self-determination approach. By implementing the TELACU Model, the organization not only provides the financial means for its for-profit subsidiaries, but also nonprofit division as well.

While projects like the Maravilla Housing Plan and Tamayo Restaurant reflect TELACU’s success, the by-product effects from these campaigns further demonstrate the organization’s impact on the East Los Angeles community. Both TELACU Industrial Park and Tamayo Restaurant not only provided employment for local residents, but also attracted outside businesses into the surrounding areas. This effect applies to Greater East Los Angeles as well. Although TELACU constructed the TELACU Center in Commerce and the North Broadway revitalization in Lincoln Heights for East LA inhabitants, the projects indirectly benefitted other Eastside residents. This extended impact on East Los Angeles's surrounding neighborhoods explains why TELACU continues to gain recognition from the Latino community today.

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Videos demonstrating TELACU's impact:

After becoming homeless following a bankruptcy, Elaine Harryman started her difficult search for affordable housing. She elaborates on her experience living at TELACU Tierra Serrano, a senior low-income apartment complex. 

Through the TELACU Education Foundation, aspiring Latino nurses can receive the education and hands-on training necessary to succeed in the occupation. This video illustrates the program’s strong impact by highlighting testimonies from past scholars.