About us

Mission Statement: To connect and uplift new arrival refugee families in the spirit of cooperation, friendship and support.

Method: Second Families surveys refugee families to determine their immediate household needs. In partnership with Helping Empower Community Refugees in San Diego, we create a list and match American donors and their items with these Refugee families, so that the lists can be fulfilled. Fulfillment happens via the donor families directly to the refugees, either in person, or via online shipment from an internet wishlist. We assist in setting up apartments for families before they arrive, so they can relax and regroup in their new homes without worrying about furnishing it. Additionally we use monetary donations to sponsor summer camps and enrichment activities for kids, and driving lessons for women.

Background: Most of the Refugees in our program originate from Syria, Afghanistan and other areas of conflict in the Middle East. Syrian refugees have fled their country since the onset of the Syrian Civil War in 2011 and have sought asylum in other countries, including the United States. Afghan and Iraqi refugees continue to arrive through the SIV (Special Immigrant Visa) program, giving preferential movement and placement within the US to families who have helped our troops and our government overseas.

Once here in the United States, Refugee Resettlement Agencies provide new arrival families with an apartment, a small cash allowance, and food stamps. Welfare payments and the cash allowance are often not enough. The resettlement agencies offer classes in English, job search training, etc., but they need our help in providing household supplies: furniture, clothing, school supplies, toys, bedding, cooking and cleaning items.

Most Refugee family units are comprised of a father, mother and three to four children, though some families have additional relatives (elderly parents) with them as well. Many of these Refugee families have special needs (medical conditions, etc), and need extra attention. They have all been through a great deal in the past few years, and most families are relieved to be in Southern California, where they feel safe. While the number one priority for these families is to find work, our goal is to make sure that their lives are improved by providing basic tools for these families to get on their feet. Providing household items for these Refugee families means that they do not have to spend the little amount they have, which can be used for more important things, like phone service, medicine, etc.