By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office
Dec. 5, 2024 | 4:16 PM
The Inland Immigrant and Refugee Welcome Center opened in Escondido Thursday, making it the second location in the region where people can go, regardless of immigration status, and receive help accessing services they are eligible to receive.
Here in San Diego County, immigrants, including refugees, make up more than 20 percent of the population.
The newest Welcome Center is located inside the North Inland Live Well Center and offers a safe, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive environment for immigrants and refugees.
The Welcome Center provides a comprehensive service hub with vital resources and information for immigrants and refugees and is located near key County departments such as Aging and Independence Services, Child Family and Wellbeing, a Family Resource Center, Public Health Center, and Military and Veterans Resource Center.
Services include resettlement assistance, legal aid, employment support, family health and wellness, and access to self-sufficiency programs like CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh.
The Welcome Center’s space also allows for partnerships with community organizations who offer workshops, presentations and often use space within the Welcome Center to provide services.
The County’s first Welcome Center opened in March 2023 and is located at the South Region Live Well Center in National City.
The two Welcome Centers were developed out of ongoing community listening sessions over the past two years, to help better understand gaps between what immigrant and refugee families are eligible for and services received.
The Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Anita Lightfoot is a group communications officer with the County of San Diego Communications Office.
