EFFORTS & OUTCOMES

Helping El Cajon Refugees was established in 2017 in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. This group comprised of neighbors who were dedicated to helping these newcomers resettle in East County, San Diego. In the last five years, our number of volunteers has grown exponentially as has the need to support refugees from around the globe. With the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan to the Taliban in August 2021, our volunteers have assisted an unprecedented number of refugee families that came to San Diego as new arrivals.

In April 2022, the organization changed its name to Helping Empower Community Refugees to more accurately describe today’s efforts. While we continue to collaborate with Resettlement Agencies to furnish the homes of new arrivals, we additionally strive to ensure that refugees are connected to local resources so that they may rebuild a community in San Diego and thus feel empowered to secure a safe, healthy, and flourishing future in the United States. In partnership with Second Families San Diego, other resettlement organizations, and numerous community groups, we have warmly welcomed thousands of refugees to San Diego to date.

We appreciate all contributions towards our ongoing endeavors.