For the first time since 2019, the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network is holding a fundraiser to assist local immigrants.

The Immigration Network has worked with immigrants since 2008 to provide educational and recreational programs at the Madison Migrant Center where farmworkers live, a weekly visitation program at the Yolo Juvenile Detention Facility, the ApoYolo program which managed $270,000 in financial assistance to 65 Yolo County families facing eviction and other extreme hardships during the coronavirus pandemic and needs-based assistance for filing fees for applications, including for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, made by people seeking regularization of their immigration status.

However, much of this work came to a stop in 2019 as a result of the pandemic. It’s only now that the Network has recovered enough to resume its previous programs.

“YIIN continues its work providing direct service to our immigrant neighbors experiencing hardships and advocating for their rights,” according to Alison Dease, a member of the group’s board of directors.

“As (most know), for almost four months, chaos has dominated our immigration system, causing great hardship, fear and uncertainty in the lives of immigrants, both documented and undocumented,” Dease stated. “This chaos poses challenges which, because of its history, YIIN is ready to address. It needs your financial support to do that work.”

The fundraising dinner is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, June 14, at the Yolo County Fairgrounds.

Guests will be treated to an Indian dinner served buffet style with Mexican desserts made by immigrants who wish to show their appreciation to the community.

A suggested donation is $75 per adult, $30 per student; free for 12 youth. Tickets are available on Eventbrite or send a check to: YIIN, P.O. Box 74295, Davis, 95616.

The program also includes a silent auction and music performed by Mariachi Puente.

Chief of Staff at UC Davis Global Affairs, Andrea Gaytan, will be the keynote speaker. Also speaking will be Winters mayor and Interfaith Network board member Albert Vallecillo, who will be serving on the Winters council until 2028.

Gaytan began serving as chief of staff in December 2024. In her role, Gaytan is a member of the Global Affairs senior leadership team and is responsible for leading and coordinating cross-cutting organizational initiatives, ensuring sound resource allocation and supporting key initiatives and campus human resources and administrative operations.

Gaytan has over 20 years of experience working in education, including teaching, advising and managing co-curricular and academic programs, as well as experience with organizational management.

She earned her bachelor’s degree at UCD in sociology, served as the assistant director of the Cross Cultural Center, and led the creation of the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center, one of the first undocumented student centers in the nation.

Most recently, Andrea served as dean of the Davis and West Sacramento Educational Centers of Sacramento City College, where she helped establish programs in dual enrollment with area high schools, administered several grant-funded programs, and developed career education opportunities in Yolo County.

She earned a master’s degree in teaching, with an emphasis in English as a Second Language, from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont and has experience in education abroad.