SFS of San Diego - Youth Programs

Youth

Somali Family Service’s Leaders in Our Neighborhood (LION) program provides comprehensively enriching opportunities for youth (ages 5-25). With its focus on faith, education and family life, youth build confidence and develop skills that empower them toward academic achievement, civic engagement, and personal development.

Programs

Education & Enrichment

Somali Family Service provides a variety of dynamic educational and enriching programs for LION Youth -- such as weekly workshops and webinars, community town hall meetings, and recreational activities. Attendance is free for eligible participants and made possible through the support of our partners and sponsors.

Youth (ages 5-8) develop literacy and project-based learning skills as part of early childhood education
In-school youth receive homework and tutoring assistance
Middle and high school students participate in college readiness, career exploration, and mentorship opportunities

Youth Ambassadors

Somali Family Service's LION Youth Ambassadors, 12-26 years old, help address and prevent youth substance abuse. Leadership training, stipends, community service hours, and certificates of completion are provided. Program made possible by Elevate Youth California, a program of the Department of Health Care Services funded through Proposition 64.

Civic Engagement

Somali Family Service's LION Youth actively participate in civic engagement activities. In partnership with National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), our Transformative Leaders Fellow provides voting rights and education workshops, and voter registration and pre-registration support to eligible immigrant, refugee and other underserved community members.

To learn more about our youth programs or to get involved,
please contact us below.

Arts & Cultural Engagement

Youth and teens present poetry, painting and photography at open mic and showcase events hosted by Somali Family Service
High school-aged youth develop a theatrical performance and documentary film designed to advance relationships, increase understanding and reduce bias between Muslim and non-Muslim communities, as funded by the Building Bridges Program Grant by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, in partnership with the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego and the Intrepid Theatre Company

Youth Summit

The annual event brings youth and families from the immigrant and refugee community together to celebrate culture, connect with community resources and learn from keynote speakers, panelists and workshop facilitators