Local Refugee Care
Welcoming our Newest NeighborsLocal Refugee Care Events

World Relief New Volunteer Orientation
The nations are arriving in San Diego and the church has an incredible opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. World Relief leads this first important step for everyone that is interested in serving. They provide volunteers with a biblical foundation of why we serve refugees in various serving opportunities. Many of us have never walked alongside or had a friend that was a refugee, so it is important to have a baseline understanding of their experiences and culture so we can love them well.
Jane Register, M.A., San Diego Program Director, World Relief Southern California
6555 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111
Register for: ZOOM Orientation: HERE IN-PERSON Orientation: HERE
Local Refugee Care Serving Opportunities
URGENTLY NEED HOST/HOMES FOR NEW REFUGEE FAMILIES
We have been urgently trying to find housing for newly arriving refugees. We are looking for granny flats, casitas, ADUs and furnished guest rooms. If interested, click “Host a Family” HERE and we will be in touch with next steps.
GOOD NEIGHBOR TEAMS
Join a GNT by becoming friends with local refugee families and/or supporting host families for refugees. This includes potentially helping with transportation, meals, school enrollment, etc. If interested, click “Good Neighbor Teams” HERE and we will be in touch with next steps.
FUNDS FOR GIFT CARDS FOR REFUGEES
There is a huge need for visa gift cards for refugees many will not have work authorization for 3-6 months and are looking for cash jobs that they can walk to, etc. If you’d like to give, donate HERE.
Thank you for your heart to serve and welcome newly arriving refugees in San Diego
Stay up-to-date on events and opportunities in Local Refugee Care
Refugee Care Church Collaborative Members
- North Coast Calvary Chapel – Carlsbad, CA
- Emmanuel Faith Community Church, Journey of Hope – Escondido, CA
- Maranatha Chapel, San Diego, CA
- Hope for San Diego – Susie Fikse
Refugee Care Service Provider Members
- Bridge Builders – David Schupack
- Art Inspiring Change – Jody Crimi – Providing opportunities for girls to find freedom and healing through art and community.
- San Diego Lost Boys of Sudan / Our Refugee Friends – Karen Richards and Terri Franklin
Types of Immigrants
- REFUGEE – individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin or nationality because of persecution or a well founded fear of persecution and has crossed an international border. Refugees are eligible for protection in large part based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. They are outside the U.S. when they apply and are screened for resettlement. (Includes a section specific to Afghans.)
- What is a Refugee? Video
- ASYLUM SEEKER – are like refugees except they submit their applications while they are physically in the U.S. or at a U.S. port of entry. They use a different process and agency for their application.
- S.I.V. (Special Immigrant Visa) – Iraqi or Afghan people who were employed by Americans and resettled legally in the U.S.
- P-2 Program (Priority 2 for Afghan Nationals) a new resettlement category 8/2/21
- UNACCOMPANIED MINORS – an immigrant who is under 18 and not in the care of a parent or legal guardian at the time of entry.
- MIGRANT – one who chooses to move in order to improve the future prospects for themselves and their family.
- I.D.P. (Internally Displaced Person) someone who is forced to flee their home but remains in their home country.
REFUGEE NUMBERS AT A GLANCE: https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/figures-at-a-glance.html
Volunteer Resources
Cars, License, ID, Belts, Car Seats, Bikes, Bus, Train, Trolley
Department of Motor Vehicles For Driving License or ID Card: Requirements, Drivers Handbook Instruction Permits, Appointments and Tests (translation services), Replacement Cards Vehicle: Title (Buy/Sell) or Licensing Other: Disability Placards, Address Change Publications
Seat Belts – positioning and age requirements
Child Carseats expiration dates and proper use – be sure that the family knows when that is, also how to properly install and use the seat: here
Bike Safety (please review this when giving bikes – include helmet and good lock with instructions on proper locking too) There is a PDF version that you can download and print out.
NCTD: North County Transportation for Buses, Coaster (commuter train), Sprinter (light rail), Flex and Lift
MTS San Diego Metropolitan Transit – Bus and Trolley
Immigration: Green Card (I-485), Naturalization/Citizenship (N-400) and more
(See also the LEGAL toggle below this one for more helps)
USCIS Immigration – for green card, citizenship, case status, etc
USCIS Green Card (after 1 year)
pathwayssd.org – Solana Beach Presbyterian Church Pathways to Citizenship See page 13 for San Diego
Legal Help
San Diego Christian Legal Aid
(SDCLA): http://www.sdclegalaid.org/
Appointment Line: (858) 230-2321. (office on Faraday in Carlsbad). Including Immigration, Family Law, Evictions, Labor/Employment, Small Claims, and more. (for people of any religion/belief)
Legal Aid Society of San Diego
(LASSD): lassd.org
Lots of helps across SD County, including Immigration, Mental and Behavioral Health, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) Claims. Custody / Visitation / Divorce / Restraining Orders, CalWorks / CalFresh (food stamps), Federal Tax, Free Clinics, Housing: Eviction, Public Housing, Housing Discrimination, etc., Access to Health Care, and more.
North County Pathways to Citizenship
120 Stevens Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075, 858-509-2589
USD Free Legal Help
Education and Career Resources
Computers 2 Kids: Discount priced laptop and desktop computers
ESL Links and Resources through Laubach San Diego
Grossmont Adult School (Online or Classroom – El Cajon)
Grossmont Adult Health Occupation Center – El Cajon
East Region Adult Education (Automotive, Art, Welding, Upholstery, and more…)
AVID Program Excellent program for refugee kids and youth to help close the achievement gap.
Mira Costa Job Training Programs
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Construction Career Training in Poway
Electrical Training Institute Unionized Electrical and Sound Telecommunications careers
Western Electrical Contractors Electrical Apprenticeship career training in San Diego
Women’s College Scholarships and Loans Site
USAHello Free online classes to help refugees and immigrants succeed in the U.S. (GED, CITIZENSHIP in various languages)
Tutoring Helps
- English Language Learners (ELL). https//accounts.learninga-z.com
I would order the following programs: Raz-Kids, Reading A-Z, Raz-Plus, ELL, READY Test A-Z, Writing A-Z This program reads the leveled passage to the student. If while the student is reading independently and comes to an unknown word the program reads the word out loud to them. It will say the word as many times they need it to be successful. (Recommended to us by a teacher – they have free trial but then a cost).
Medical Resources
CA State Disability HERE
Medical and Dental Clinic in Solana Beach (for uninsured) https://solanabeach.church/st-leos-medical-and-dental-clinic
Medical Services for Asylum Seekers
Family Health Centers of San Diego:
https://tinyurl.com/2jzztvj8 619-906-5363, asylumhealth@flcsd.org
Job Search Resources
Employment Agencies
A good starting place for jobs is with employment agencies, They have different types of job targets depending on the agency. They are often the door into permanent positions. The agencies are paid by placing people in jobs – so the right agency will work to do that. Here are a few of the agencies we’ve seen be helpful (this isn’t a complete list and not a guarantee but is a resource list). It is helpful for the refugee mentor/advocate to go along to help with the process.
- Select Staffing – choose Oceanside or San Diego to begin search: https://www.select.com/locations/
- Aerotek Recruiting and Staffing (aviation, construction, logistics, distribution, facilities, maintenance, manufacturing, production) : https://www.aerotek.com/
Job Search Sites
- Hourly Jobs through Compass Group: https://hourlyjobs.compassgroupcareers.com/
- Job Bank (http://www.sandiegoatwork.com/) — Links to many job sites & staffing agencies – including specialized sites for military, disabled, etc.
- Adecco Staffing – choose location (San Diego, Chula Vista, Carlsbad) to view available jobs
- San Diego Workforce Partnership Career Centers – job search and career development resources around San Diego County
- CalJOBS (https://www.caljobs.ca.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx) – Search the full-service employment center to find and view job openings, create and post resumés, look for training, and much more.
Until you find a Job
- California Unemployment (https:www.edd.ca.gov/) – link for both unemployment and disability
Housing Search and Rent / Utility Help Resources
NOTE: Website links are in blue, website URL’s are also listed for those who want to print this list.
Go first to northcoastcalvary.org/help for current rental and utility helps
- San Diego Housing Commission (for Section 8 Housing):
- www.sdhc.org/Rental-Assistance/Waiting-List-Applicants/ SDHC has a very long wait list – but sign up asap to get on the list. If you apply in other states where the wait is shorter you would need to move for a year then can (usually) port your voucher back to CA.
- www.sdhc.org/Rental-Assistance/Rental-Assistance-Participants/
- County of San Diego Housing and Community Development (http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdhcd.html) – Section 8, Public, and Shared Housing Programs. 858-694-4801 or 877-478-LIST
- Community Housing Works (http://chworks.org) — Affordable Housing
- Affordable Carlsbad Rentals (https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-search/California/Carlsbad)
- Habitat for Humanity (http://www.sdhfh.org/) — Home ownership
- El Cajon and Santee Rent and Utility Assistance – CSA San Diego (619-444-5700) – ixchel@c4sa.org – scroll down this page: https://www.c4sa.org/rental-assistance
- El Cajon Home-Start Utility and Rent Assistance – Home Start Inc. (619-430-0032) – khernandez@home-start.org https://home-start.org/city-of-el-cajon-rental-assistance/
- El Cajon Interfaith Shelter Network – funding for those facing eviction for nonpayment of rent or utilities – https://interfaithshelter.org/
- SDGE Energy Savings Assistance Program – Even in a rental they can come out and see what can be done to save energy and money: https://www.sdge.com/residential/pay-bill/get-payment-bill-assistance
- UTILITIES Help paying utility bills – can call San Diego County: (619) 391-9790 / Utility Assistance. Phone appts on Mon or Weds 8a-1130 1p-3:30.p you will need: 1. current SDGE bill, 2. proof of income 30 days for all working age adults (working or not) 3. CA Picture ID and 4. Social Security Card. Website: HERE.
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Homes/Homelessness and recovery helps list from Solutions for Change: https://solutionsforchange.org/our-work/resources.html
The Good News in Many Languages
- Global Recordings Network USA HERE The Gospel in Audio recordings and more in various languages and dialects.
- https://multilanguagemedia.org/ Foreign Language Christians resources.
Miscellaneous Helps: Food, Diapers, Phone, and More
El Cajon Family Resource Center – government helps www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/facilities/east/family_resource_center_el_cajon.html
Diaper Banks all over San Diego County are a great resource for families Here
CalFresh – help putting food on your table www.getcalfresh.org/
PHONE SERVICES Compare these options:
- Free Cell Phone Service. https://www.truconnect.com/
- California Lifeline discounted home and cell phones: https://www.californialifeline.com/en