About Us
Learn about our mission, our story, and the team behind Kalpulli Across Borders.
Our Mission
We believe in Kalpulli — the Aztec principle of community as family. When one of us is displaced, all of us have a responsibility to respond. Our mission is to provide practical aid and restore dignity to those impacted by deportation.
Our Story
This project began from an urgent need to stand with families torn apart by deportation and to remind our community that no one faces this alone. Kalpulli Across Borders was born out of love, culture, and solidarity, created in response to the countless stories of parents, children, and neighbors forced to rebuild their lives overnight. What started as a small effort to help one family has grown into a collective movement rooted in Kalpulli, the Aztec belief that community is family.
Meet the Team / Board
Kalpulli Across Borders is guided by a team with deep community roots and experience in organizing, public policy, communications, and technology.
The founder, Juan J. Garcia brings over a decade of experience navigating the political and nonprofit landscape. He has been a leading voice in advancing immigrant rights, organizing across the country, and championing programs that strengthen Latino communities in Illinois and Wisconsin. His work spans policy advocacy, community organizing, and consulting on Latino outreach, nonprofit development, and strategic program design. He is based in Milwaukee, WI and was born in Aurora, IL. A son of immigrants from Moroleon, Guanajuato.
Jesús Del Toro is the Director of Policy & Strategic Initiatives for the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant & Refugee Rights. A child of immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico, Jesús was born in Aurora, Illinois, and now lives in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. He leads citywide efforts to advance equity and inclusion for immigrant and refugee communities, ensuring Chicago remains a welcoming city for all.
Nicholas Richard-Thompson is a public policy and communications professional, cultural worker, and educator. He serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Aurora, Illinois. Additionally, he is the Midwest Regional Organizer for the Black Alliance for Peace, an international, people-centered human rights organization focused on combating war, imperialism, and repression. He is also on the executive board for Aurora Mutual Aid, a grassroots organization centered on advocacy, education, and mutual aid.
Orlando is a Technical Data Analyst in the automotive industry, at a company driven by innovation. He also operates the owner for a small Data Analytics agency in the Chicagoland area. Growing up in Aurora, Illinois, a predominantly Hispanic area, and being born to parents from Aguascalientes and Jalisco, Orlando understands the importance of supporting this community, in the same way it supported him during his upbringing. With a decade of expertise in the Data Analytics, he aims to provide Kalpulli with insights and strategy that drive impact.
Joel Sandoval is a technologist and product leader who began his career in software engineering. As a first-generation Latino in corporate America, he is committed to representing his culture and supporting others through mentorship and Latino-in-tech communities. Born in Aurora, Illinois to parents from Durango, Mexico, he has contributed to some of the world’s most iconic companies. His work with Kalpulli Across Borders reflects his dedication to giving back and uplifting his community.
At LVLS, we believe the most powerful stories are those that build community and drive change. We partner with mission-driven organizations like Kalpulli to translate their purpose into powerful, cinematic narratives that connect, inspire, and endure. Our work is built on a foundation of intentional craft and a deep respect for the stories we are trusted to tell