What is the Alliance?

The Alliance for African Assistance is a non-profit agency founded in 1989 by a refugee to help fellow refugees from Africa living in San Diego. Since then it has expanded to three locations, serves refugees from all over the world, and has over 50 staff members originally from 16 different countries.

Why are there refugees in San Diego?

The legal refugees in San Diego come mostly from Somalia, Vietnam, Kosova, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kurdistan. They are people who have been forced to leave their home countries because of political or religious persecution. Many have spent years in refugee camps before being admitted to the United States.

Why should I help the refugees?

Unlike other immigrants , most refugees speak little english, have little education, and have no skills to prepare them for work in the U.S. Over 75% are women and children whose husbands and fathers have been killed. They need training and emotional support so that they can adjust to American culture and find employment.

Who funds the Alliance?

Substantial support (but not all) comes from the United Way, City of San Diego, County of San Diego, State of California, Presbytery of San Diego, U.S Department of Health and Human Services

Alliance Programs

• Access Program
  Education about health care and referrals to providers
• AIDS/HIV Education
  Educatin and prevention
• Citizenship
  Assisting eligible legal residents toward naturalization
• Community Building and Family Strengthening
  Assisting refugees and their families in adjusting to American culture and relating to the San diego communities
• Community Outreach
  Educating refugee communities about changes in utilities
• Emergency Assistance
  Shelter referrals, furnishings, food, clothing, and help with expenses
• Family Reunification
  Reuniting overseas refugees with their families overseas
• Family Self-Sufficiency
  Moving refugee families to self-reliance through orientation, job development, and placement
• Female Circumcision
  Educating both refugee women and health care providers about the harmful effects of this practice
• Home Business Treaining
  Teaching refugees to start small businesses with skills they already have
• Housing and Basic Necessities
  Assistance in finding an apartment and financial help with rent and mortgages
• Mental Health
  Needs assessment, counseling and referral services
• Mentoring
  Pairing youth with American adults for tutoring and cultural adjustments
• Resettlement
  Caring for refugees who have just arrived in the United States
• Safari Seconds
  Our thrift store providing business training for refugees as well as a little extra income
• Senior Program
  Helping refugee senios to access services
• Translation & Interpretation
  Services offered in 35 languages
• Women Capacity Building
  Helping women heads of households to understand their new leadership role now that they have lost their husbands
• Youth Program
  Recreational and sports activities; outings focusing on conflict resolution and self-esteem; community involvement