Our Children & Youth programs provide enriching opportunities for youth (ages 0-25). These programs focus on faith, creativity and arts, education and family life, confidence and skill development, civic engagement, leadership skills, and personal development.
We focus on providing education, resources, and interventions to prevent and reduce negative health outcomes.
Our programming empowers individuals and families to eat healthier, increase their physical activity, improve health literacy, reduce stigma and lack of access to mental health services, and introduce new innovations that maximize access to care and strengthen the bridge between the community and the healthcare system.
Learn about our programs
Leaders in Our Neighborhood (LION) Program
This program includes educational enrichment, recreational activities, workforce development, civic engagement, physical and mental health education, technology resources, arts and culture activities.
- 12-26 years; immigrant and refugee community members
Youth Workforce Program
This program leverages our learner-centered training approach to train CHW and Peer Support Specialists among youth aged 16-26.
- Age 16-26 years - Immigrant or refugee community member seeking career pathway training for community health worker and peer support specialist
Civic Engagement, Advocacy & Community Service
We partner with the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) to offer youth civic engagement activities including voter education, registration, language translation and interpretation & technical assistance.
- Arab and other immigrant and refugee community members
SDG&E Inspiring Future Leaders Program
The SDG&E Inspiring Future Leaders STEM Scholarship Program, also called the SDG&E Scholarship Program, provides financial assistance to historically underrepresented students who reside within SDG&E’s service territory and are pursuing or plan to pursue a STEM degree at a college or university.
- Middle school-aged youth from San Diego’s immigrant and refugee communities
Stop the Hate (STH) Program
Our Stop the Hate Program, provided support to those experiencing hate crimes. Youth participated in healing circles, civil rights education, and developed a documentary film.
Eligibility requirements: No longer recruiting.
Additional Family Support Services:
Tax Filing Assistance Mobile Clinics (Begins March 2025)
Supported by San Diego Foundation
Eligibility requirement: Households experiencing low income & financial challenges paying for tax filing; includes child tax credit enrollment assistance
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Our Impact
Safe space for me to come to the LION girls program
Program beneficiary -
I participated in the LION youth girls program virtually. I really enjoyed joining these zooms with other girls in the community because it was a space for me to express myself. The topics of self care and activities we played together as a group were my favorite parts. I know it is a safe space for me to come to the LION girls program and share any concerns or good news to like minded people. SFS has supported me by giving me this space and I recommended it to all my friends to join.
Somali Family Service is a community-based social service organization providing culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services to refugee, immigrant, and other underserved communities in California and Minnesota.
Located in San Diego, El Cajon & Minnesota
Somali Family Service of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. EIN number 91-2065038
