San Diego City Wire

The Inland Immigrant and Refugee Welcome Center has opened in Escondido, marking the second such facility in the region. This center is designed to assist individuals regardless of their immigration status by providing access to services they are eligible for.

In San Diego County, immigrants, including refugees, constitute over 20 percent of the population. The new Welcome Center is situated within the North Inland Live Well Center and aims to offer a safe, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive environment for its visitors.

The center serves as a comprehensive service hub with essential resources and information for immigrants and refugees. It is strategically located near key County departments like Aging and Independence Services, Child Family and Wellbeing, a Family Resource Center, Public Health Center, and Military and Veterans Resource Center.

Available services include resettlement assistance, legal aid, employment support, family health and wellness programs, along with access to self-sufficiency initiatives such as CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh.

The facility also provides space for community organizations to conduct workshops and presentations or use the premises to offer additional services.

The first Welcome Center in the county was inaugurated in March 2023 at the South Region Live Well Center in National City. Both centers were developed following community listening sessions held over two years aimed at identifying gaps between available services and those accessed by immigrant and refugee families.

Operating hours for the Welcome Center are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.