We believe that every refugee and asylee coming to San Diego is capable of successfully making the journey to self-sufficiency. The mission of the San Diego resettlement staff is to assist these new arrivals on their journey by helping them meet the challenges they face. We work together with federal, state and local agencies to provide a myriad of programs and services to help speed San Diego’s refugees on their way to new, productive lives. These include:

• Finding, renting and furnishing a suitable apartment for the family

• Providing ongoing orientation about community, safety, employment expectations, and life in the United States

• Health screenings and immunizations for all family members

• Enrolling school-age children in school

• Assisting with applying for Social Security cards, Selective Service registration, MediCal and other government entitlements

• Enrolling adults in English classes

• Providing basic, interim cash assistance to help the family get started

• Developing a comprehensive Resettlement Plan for each family member to help guide them toward self-sufficiency

• Providing Job Readiness Training and employment counseling to all employable adults

• Assisting adult family members in finding their first job

• Providing ongoing job training and assistance as necessary

• Providing job upgrades for those refugees who have completed at least 6 months on their first job and wish to upgrade to a better job

• Providing supplemental cash assistance when necessary to help the family meet their basic needs.

For more information about Resettlement and to find out how you can get involved, please contact: Sandiego@theIRC.org