The scenes out of Afghanistan are heartbreaking. Now, our country is engaged in a refugee evacuation of great magnitude and Jewish Family Service of San Diego is actively involved. The number and pace of resettlement is like nothing we’ve seen in recent years.
Jewish Family Service stands ready to Welcome the Stranger with dignity and respect and is actively assisting Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients from Afghanistan. As one of the primary refugee resettlement agencies in San Diego, JFS has already resettled 89 individuals (18 families)* with SIVs from Afghanistan since August 6. Our staff and volunteers will remain at-the-ready to accept more families in the coming days, weeks, and months.
*as of September 12, 2021. In addition we have received 18 individuals (4 families) from Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
We are grateful to the many partners, supporters, and volunteers who make this vital humanitarian work possible. Together we ensure that San Diego remains a welcoming place for those in search of a safer life—free from violence and persecution. Your support will provide stability and hope—empowering refugees to build brighter futures for their families.
It’s time to mobilize. Here are some ways you can learn more, get involved, and support our immediate refugee needs:
Thank you to the media who are calling attention to our efforts.
U.S. Refugee Organizations Race to Prepare for Influx of Afghans
The Wall Street Journal
Local Organizations Help Afghan Refugees Resettle
ABC 10 News San Diego
Two More San Diego County Families on Their Way Home From Afghanistan
The San Diego Union-Tribune
Your financial donations are needed now more than ever to ensure we have the proper staffing and the resources to support new refugees.
JFS is partnering with Avodah to place a Jewish Service Corps Member with our Refugee Resettlement Department. If you’re between the ages of 21-26 and passionate about getting into the justice game for the long haul, you could have a place in our growing community. For more information, visit Avodah.
Looking for a way to help support refugees? Volunteer with JFS as a Refugee Resettlement Case Aid. Our case aids help support a range of services from assisting with the delivery of household items to assisting clients navigate community institutions.
To learn more and sign up: Click here
Thank you to so many in our community for their generous response. Presently, we have an incredible number of community drives scheduled in the upcoming weeks. As a result, we are putting a pause on requesting additional in-kind donations, such as furniture. Right now, the most impactful way you can show your support is to make a monetary gift which will help to fund the tremendous number of additional resources that are needed to welcome with compassion and dignity.
Thank you for your continued support.
