Task Forces 

The Forum is reviving the Task Forces, which play an important role in the work the Forum does. Those wishing to participate as a task force volunteer should please write in to the Forum at sdrefugeeforum@gmail.com

​TASK FORCES OF THE SAN DIEGO REFUGEE FORUM
 
What are San Diego Refugee Forum task forces, and how do they operate?
 
Task forces are groups of volunteers – members and other Forum participants – who have a common interest in a particular area of service. They establish their own agenda and meet on a regular basis to work toward advancing the cause they are serving on behalf of the Forum. They document their activities and report at monthly general meetings.
 
The Forum has had six task forces in the past; Education and Mental Health were added in 2021. Here is a restatement of their aims, which will be refined by the task force members:
 
Advocacy
  • promote acceptance and inclusion of our diverse communities as equal members of society
  • advocate for the human and legal rights of refugees and asylum seekers
  • promote civic engagement among the refugee community, including full economic, social, and political participation
 
Asylum
  • identify issues and problems faced by asylum seekers and asylees in San Diego
  • educate the San Diego community about those issues
  • spearhead the Forum’s advocacy efforts and involvement in public policymaking around those issues
 
Domestic Violence
  • facilitate access by the refugee community to resources assisting victims of domestic violence
  • educate the refugee community about legal and cultural issues regarding domestic violence
  • promote awareness among civic agencies about factors contributing to domestic violence in the refugee community, including differing cultural norms and customs, the trauma of the refugee experience, and the stress of resettlement, and how to address them
 
Education
  • coordinate with local K-12 school systems in identifying and addressing issues affecting the education of refugee children
  • disseminate information about local educational resources for adults, including how to identify appropriate programs and classes and how to access them
  • provide information on educational counseling and career planning to the refugee and migrant population
 
Employment
  • disseminate information about job opportunities and training relevant to the diverse refugee workforce
  • collaborate with job developers, community agencies and employers in identifying employment opportunities for refugees
  • advocate with employers on behalf of the refugee workforce
 
Health
  • coordinate with local healthcare organizations and agencies in disseminating relevant health-related information to the refugee community
  • help refugees learn about local healthcare resources and how to access them
  • assist in gathering information about priority health issues among the refugee community

Mental Health
  • educate refugee service providers and the broader community about the prevalence of mental health issues among refugees, asylees and others entering or seeking to enter the United States, due to the trauma they have suffered, and the importance of addressing their needs
  • work with health care providers and mental health counselors to ensure that adequate resources and effective interventions are available to meet the needs of the refugee/asylee  community
  • advocate on behalf of victims of torture, persecution and oppression, with a focus on mental health
  • support efforts to de-stigmatize mental illness

World Refugee Day
This is a special task force formed every year to organize the Forum’s World Refugee Day Celebration in June. Its members meet from March through June to plan the venue, the program, the participants, the budget, etc. and coordinate with all parties to produce and carry out this event. This group is made up of three or more volunteers from among Forum members and participants.
Upcoming
​Task Force Meetings
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Health Task Force Virtual Meeting
Thursday, September 23, 2021
10:30-12:00
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