RefugeeNet equips San Diego's refugee families to thrive and become self-reliant and contributing citizens.
Families have relocated here to escape religious, racial, and economic persecution. They have been forced from their homelands, becoming international religious or political refugees. Our goal is to welcome them and assist them in becoming productive citizens of this country. Refugees have been arriving in significant numbers in California at least since the Vietnam war.
In their effort to escape war or persecution, refugees may experience a life-or-death struggle to reach a UN Refugee Camp. There they wait for years for approval to go to a safe home in San Diego, where they face further challenges. These include learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and finding a way to support themselves. RefugeeNet is dedicated to assisting refugees in that process. The Episcopal Refugee Network, doing business as RefugeeNet, is a non-profit organization that has been helping the refugee community for over 20 years.
Our vision statement: In the years ahead we dream to be a trusted and growing resource for even more refugee families resettled in the San Diego area providing
-- Basic needs assistance with food, household items and clothing
-- Emergency funds
-- Career development and citizenship classes
-- Assistance locating affordable housing
-- Educational supports
-- Recreational opportunities
-- Language and translation help
-- Legal resources
Although our focus is refugees, we provide asylum seekers and immigrants with the same services when possible. We strive to maintain referral partnerships with similar organizations to best utilize and maximize services provided. We are committed to a trauma responsive, holistic approach in caring for the overall well being (emotional, psychosocial, spiritual, physical) of those we serve.