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TRANSIT TRAINING AND OLD TOWN HISTORY
JANUARY 2020
El Cajon Collaborative hosted a day excursion on the San Diego Trolley as a part of a transit training for families who do not speak English as their primary language. The excursion brought together families from the Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI) El Cajon program who had never used the transit system before. Translation was provided in both Spanish and Arabic by staff of BLCI and HHSA-East Region provided the transit passes. Docents were available at the park to teach the families what life was like when San Diego was first settled.
JANUARY 2020
El Cajon Collaborative hosted a day excursion on the San Diego Trolley as a part of a transit training for families who do not speak English as their primary language. The excursion brought together families from the Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI) El Cajon program who had never used the transit system before. Translation was provided in both Spanish and Arabic by staff of BLCI and HHSA-East Region provided the transit passes. Docents were available at the park to teach the families what life was like when San Diego was first settled.
LOVE YOUR HEART WEAR RED TO WORK DAY--February 7, 2020
We're celebrating National Wear Red to Work Day today at Little House to help bring awareness to cardiovascular disease, particularly in women. Symptoms can vary between men and women and it is the number 1 cause of death for women. Check your blood pressure, exercise and eat healthy. #heartdisease.
SANDAG 2021 regional Plan vision lab
2019-2021
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Every four years, SANDAG prepares and updates a Regional Plan in collaboration with the 18 cities and County of San Diego along with regional, state, and federal partners. The Plan answers questions like: What do we want our region to look like in 2050 and beyond? Where will we live? How will we get around? How can we grow in a way that fuels our economy, preserves our environment, takes everyone's needs into account, and still maintains our quality of life? San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan tackles these questions and provides a blueprint for a sustainable future for the San Diego region. Learn more about the plan by attending our meetings to hear how El Cajon Collaborative and other Community-based Organizations throughout San Diego County are sharing your voice and ensuring that social equity, sustainability and data-driven decisions are considered in every aspect of the new and bold Regional Plan.
For educational videos and webinars, visit sdforward.com/vision-goals/community-input and see how you can participate. Check out SANDAG's new videos on their sdforward.com/library/videos page.
For educational videos and webinars, visit sdforward.com/vision-goals/community-input and see how you can participate. Check out SANDAG's new videos on their sdforward.com/library/videos page.
CONNECTING FAMILIES TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES
OCTOBER 2019
(El Cajon Collaborative hosted their first Resource Fair to connect families who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of homelessness to meet with representatives in their community to resources for healthcare, insurance, food access and jobs. Over 20 agencies attended with giveaways and information, all eager to help families become self-sufficient. The event was held at Johnson Elementary School with Cajon Valley Union School District. Thank you to all of the participating agencies including Feeding San Diego for providing services and fresh fruits and vegetables. Over 100 families participated. (More photos on Photos page)
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS PARTICIPATE IN 5 BIG MOVES SURVEY
AUGUST 2019
Collaborative partners learned about job centers in San Diego and how they relate to how people travel to get to work, where they are coming from and how public transportation can be planned to more efficiently serve families in San Diego County. Each person was able to share their ideas for transportation modes and needs that they see in their communities. For more information visit: www.sandiegoforward.com.
AUGUST 2019
Collaborative partners learned about job centers in San Diego and how they relate to how people travel to get to work, where they are coming from and how public transportation can be planned to more efficiently serve families in San Diego County. Each person was able to share their ideas for transportation modes and needs that they see in their communities. For more information visit: www.sandiegoforward.com.
WORLD REFUGEE DAY
JUNE 22, 2019
What a wonderful day of celebration the San Diego Refugee Forum put on Saturday, June 22nd. The event was held at the Price-Copley YMCA who helped host the event. There were resource tables available and games and crafts for the kids. Guests who attended wore the traditional dress representing their country. Throughout the event, entertainment from all around the world provided dancing and celebration. Some of the countries represented were Haiti, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Mexico. Along with the celebration Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and SDRF Chair, Mohammed Tuama, presented Awards of Resilience to two deserving newcomers. A delicious lunch of multicultural foods was provided by the Forum. El Cajon Collaborative was honored to assist organizing the entertainment for the event. We hope that you will join us next year. *For more photos, see the Photos page on this site.
JUNE 22, 2019
What a wonderful day of celebration the San Diego Refugee Forum put on Saturday, June 22nd. The event was held at the Price-Copley YMCA who helped host the event. There were resource tables available and games and crafts for the kids. Guests who attended wore the traditional dress representing their country. Throughout the event, entertainment from all around the world provided dancing and celebration. Some of the countries represented were Haiti, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Mexico. Along with the celebration Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and SDRF Chair, Mohammed Tuama, presented Awards of Resilience to two deserving newcomers. A delicious lunch of multicultural foods was provided by the Forum. El Cajon Collaborative was honored to assist organizing the entertainment for the event. We hope that you will join us next year. *For more photos, see the Photos page on this site.
BREAKING THE SILENCE ON CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH- JUNE 4, 2019
Thank you to Mike Miller, HHSA Behavioral Health Program Coordinator, Tami Hester-Johnson, CVUSD District School Counselor, Lucy Jasso, SDYS PEI Program Manager, and Christine Rodriguez, Home Start Clinical Psychologist for the informative panel discussion on assisting adolescents achieve overall wellbeing and access to services. Our meeting will be dark in July but join us in August for our annual planning meeting.
El Cajon Collaborative's Council Meetings are to engage community partners in resource sharing, networking, and action to benefit the children, youth and families of El Cajon. Come join us to learn more.
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A BOLD NEW VISION FOR THE REGIONAL PLAN- MAY 2019
The SANDAG Community-Based Organizations Working Group recently learned about our 5 Big Moves and visited our Vision Lab. These organizations help us gather public input from disadvantaged or underrepresented communities and provide a social equity perspective on agency initiatives and planning efforts. Thank you to our CBO partners for all your great work! We’re happy to have your support encouraging public input as we develop our regional transportation vision for the 2021 Regional Plan. SDForward.com
Community Alliance Support Programs, Inc. Bayside Community Center Casa Familiar City Heights Community Development Corporation Chula Vista Community Collaborative El Cajon Collaborative National Latino Research Center (NLRC) Nile Sisters Development Initiative Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center Operation Samahan Urban Collaborative Project Vista Community Clinic.
Community Alliance Support Programs, Inc. Bayside Community Center Casa Familiar City Heights Community Development Corporation Chula Vista Community Collaborative El Cajon Collaborative National Latino Research Center (NLRC) Nile Sisters Development Initiative Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center Operation Samahan Urban Collaborative Project Vista Community Clinic.
ECASSIST.ORG CREATED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACCESS RESOURCES IN EAST COUNTY
The El Cajon City Council at its April 23 meeting hosted a presentation that recognized a $5,000 grant from PSAR to the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The PSAR grant helped pay for creating a website featuring resources intended to assist homeless people living in the East County.
Representing the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce at the presentation was Joe Mackey, interim CEO. Also attending were: Anna Marie Piconi Snyder, Consulting Project Director, East County Homeless Task Force; Carol Lewis, Coordinator, El Cajon Collaborative.
Since its founding in November 2016, the East County Homeless Task Force has been working collaboratively as a grass roots effort involving more than 300 East County community leaders to develop solutions to reduce homelessness in the East County communities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and Alpine.
The Task Force’s organizational structure has 10 “solution groups.” Officials said the Access to Services Solutions group and the Communications and Marketing Committee group worked together to create a website offering ways a homeless person could get help in the East County and provide a way for the public to contribute to those solutions.
The website, www.ECAssist.org, is a one-stop online resource that allows users to navigate services based on either location or need. At the website, people looking for food resources can go to a column on the left and find links to pantries in various East County locations. Another click leads to phone numbers for various hotlines to medical care and shelters.
It’s estimated that East County has more than 1,000 homeless residents, according to a 2018 study, called the Point In Time Count, conducted by the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless, as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(from left to right) Tracy Morgan Hollingworth, Joe Mackey, Robert Calloway, Kay LeMenager, Carol Lewis, Anna Marie Piconi Snyder.
Representing the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce at the presentation was Joe Mackey, interim CEO. Also attending were: Anna Marie Piconi Snyder, Consulting Project Director, East County Homeless Task Force; Carol Lewis, Coordinator, El Cajon Collaborative.
Since its founding in November 2016, the East County Homeless Task Force has been working collaboratively as a grass roots effort involving more than 300 East County community leaders to develop solutions to reduce homelessness in the East County communities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and Alpine.
The Task Force’s organizational structure has 10 “solution groups.” Officials said the Access to Services Solutions group and the Communications and Marketing Committee group worked together to create a website offering ways a homeless person could get help in the East County and provide a way for the public to contribute to those solutions.
The website, www.ECAssist.org, is a one-stop online resource that allows users to navigate services based on either location or need. At the website, people looking for food resources can go to a column on the left and find links to pantries in various East County locations. Another click leads to phone numbers for various hotlines to medical care and shelters.
It’s estimated that East County has more than 1,000 homeless residents, according to a 2018 study, called the Point In Time Count, conducted by the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless, as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(from left to right) Tracy Morgan Hollingworth, Joe Mackey, Robert Calloway, Kay LeMenager, Carol Lewis, Anna Marie Piconi Snyder.
WORLD OF WELLNESS RESOURCE FAIR AT LEXINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MARCH 28, 2019
Ballet Folklorico, bounce house, games and lots of family resources! It was an action filled afternoon at Lexington Elementary School on March 28th for the 2nd Annual World of Wellness Resource Fair. Over 25 community partners came out to provide the fun for the families at Lexington Elementary School while distributing information on services and programs in El Cajon. El Cajon Collaborative has partnered with the Cajon Valley Union School District for over 25 years to serve the families in their district. The Collaborative would like to thank all of the agencies that came out to help, the Rec and San Diego Youth Services for the games and crafts and Crossroads Church for the Bounce House. We also appreciate the support of Principal Sergio Navarro and Narjiss, Community Liaison, for organizing all of the parent volunteers. A special thanks to Tami Hestor-Johnson for helping coordinate the event and ensuring that the diverse cultures of our families are celebrated everyday. For more photos, see the photo page on this website.
EL CAJON COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT- NOVEMBER 2018
El Cajon Collaborative partnered with Newcomer Support & Development to provide residents an opportunity to share their concerns and challenges in their communities and provide ideas and suggestions for solutions. The forum was held in English, Spanish and Arabic so that all community members could contribute and share. There were nearly 50 families that attended and childcare was provided. Thank you to Arboreta Group for the opportunity to host the event and Salvation Army for providing the venue. The results will be shared in the 2018 Community Action Partnership Needs Assessment.
El Cajon Collaborative partnered with Newcomer Support & Development to provide residents an opportunity to share their concerns and challenges in their communities and provide ideas and suggestions for solutions. The forum was held in English, Spanish and Arabic so that all community members could contribute and share. There were nearly 50 families that attended and childcare was provided. Thank you to Arboreta Group for the opportunity to host the event and Salvation Army for providing the venue. The results will be shared in the 2018 Community Action Partnership Needs Assessment.
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OCTOBER IS SANDAG REGIONAL PLAN COMMUNITY INPUT MONTH
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Throughout the month of October, El Cajon Collaborative reached out to community groups to complete a survey for the 2019 Regional Plan. Three network scenarios were presented to residents to share their preferences for projects and programs that should be the focus of the Plan when it is completed in 2019. The feedback from the community will be combined with the SANDAG Board of Directors suggestions, and a final network scenario will be completed in December 2019. The final network scenario will go back out to the community for public comment. Once the scenario is approved, it will be used to draft the final 2019 Regional Plan. Most everyone enjoyed the opportunity to use the mobile-friendly online interactive survey. For those who were more comfortable, paper surveys were provided in several languages.
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September 4th named el cajon collaborative day in san diego
Live Well San Diego--"Shout out to our #LiveWellSD Recognized Partner, El Cajon Collaborative! The El Cajon Collaborative builds relationships, leverages resources and promotes best practices to enhance the quality of life for children, youth and families in their community." Thank you for the Proclamation HHSA and the SD County Board of Supervisors. We appreciate the recognition! Way to go, ECC Partners! 2018.
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THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION OPEN HOUSE--APRIL 30, 2018
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN SHARING THEIR INPUT ON FACTORS TO CONSIDER AS SANDAG DEVELOPS THE 2019 REGIONAL PLAN. CITY STAFF, PLANNERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHERED TO LEARN ABOUT THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN INCLUDING OPTIONS FOR PROJECTS, TECHNOLOGY AND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME, SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO ENSURE SOCIAL EQUITY.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN SHARING THEIR INPUT ON FACTORS TO CONSIDER AS SANDAG DEVELOPS THE 2019 REGIONAL PLAN. CITY STAFF, PLANNERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHERED TO LEARN ABOUT THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN INCLUDING OPTIONS FOR PROJECTS, TECHNOLOGY AND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME, SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO ENSURE SOCIAL EQUITY.
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LITTLE HOUSE HAPPENINGS
In 2015, Little House formed a partnership with UPAC-EMASS with refugee seniors who were interested in gardening. The Senior Refugee Garden was created with the assistance of HHSA-East Region who provided the materials and the expertise with Master Gardeners and a Landscape Designer. El Cajon Collaborative hosted a Growers' Workshop earlier that summer and the most requested need was more land for growing. The garden continues to expand and thrive. It has become an inter-generational garden with the help of the Granite Hills Key Club, Molina Healthcare volunteers and soon the Boy Scouts. The East Co. Senior Service Providers gifted the garden with three picnic tables. Most recently a Composting Workshop was held in the garden and composting bins were built. Stop by and see this amazing garden. Donations are always welcome to install a patio for support groups and trainings, tree trimming, and landscaping. (See more photos on the Photo Page.) |
COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED IN 3 LANGUAGES IN EL CAJON
It was a lively conversation at the Salvation Army, on Tuesday, November 15th. In 2014, El Cajon Collaborative partnered with CHIP Resident Leadership Academy and HHSA-East Region to assess the needs in our community. Some of the issues that were identified were Education, Employment, Housing, Community Engagement, Access to Healthy Food Options, Youth Programs, Infrastructure, Transportation and Anti-Gang Programs. On Tuesday, the community was asked to do a survey by phone or paper, to prioritize the challenges and also identify new challenges that exist. Some of the topics below were also recognized. Translation services were offered to our Arabic and Spanish speaking residents. It was a lot of fun while working with each other to start the conversation about solutions. |
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PUBLIC HEALTH AWARDS 2016
EL CAJON COLLABORATIVE AND CASA ARE RECOGNIZED WITH AWARDS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECOGNIZED LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH CHAMPION AWARDS ON APRIL 8TH IN THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS BOARD ROOM. CONGRATULATIONS GO TO CASA FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS, A LOCAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN SERVING SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANA STEVENS AND HER STAFF WERE RECOGNIZED AS THE EAST COUNTY ORGANIZATION AWARD. EL CAJON COLLABORATIVE WAS AWARDED THE DIRECTORS AWARD FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF EXCELLENCE PROJECT (CX3), SHARING THE AWARD WITH OTHER SAN DIEGO ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE HELPED BRING FORWARD IMPROVED ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND REDUCTION OF OBESITY. THIS HAS BEEN A MULTI-YEAR PROJECT THAT HAS SHOWN RESULTS THROUGH EDUCATION, POLICY CHANGE, ASSESSMENTS AND ADVOCACY. |
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New Study Shows How El Cajon Resource Website is Assisting Families Access Food Resources- Summer 2016
The El Cajon Resource Website has been a valuable tool for families looking for local resources that are convenient and affordable. Transportation is often a barrier so locating services close to home is very important. A recent evaluation of the El Cajon Resource Website has shown how it is being used and by whom. The number one search need was access to food. Many of our families are living on a limited budget, and funds to purchase food often run out before the end of the month. The study showed that most searches for food access occurred the week before payday for most individuals. The Food Resources page provides links to local food pantries, summer lunch programs, CalFresh application assistance and nutrition classes. This resource to food is proving to be useful, as 77% of the sessions are new users and 23% of users have continued to refer back to this specific page. "Currently, 435,000 individuals in San Diego County are classified as food insecure, including more than 160,000 children. These are often hard working adults, children and seniors who cannot make ends meet and are forced to go without food for several meals, days or extended periods of time." --- Feeding America |
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RALLY -- OCTOBER 30, 2015
EAST COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COALITION
(Over one hundred people turned out on Friday to rally in support of our domestic violence survivors and to honor those we have lost. The rally began at the El Cajon Police Department and headed east on Main Street to the Prescott Promenade. Car horns honked in support of the walkers as they displayed their signs to "Stop the Hate and Stop the Violence." At the Promenade three survivors shared their stories as supporters hugged and cried. They were stories of abuse, hurt, and fear. But they were also stories of finding the strength to rise up against their abusers and to live full, thriving lives beyond the abuse. It was very moving and inspiring. Senator Anderson's office had representatives on hand to thank the agencies who support the survivors of domestic violence. There were also resource tables available with information of support groups and services for those in violent situations.
(See more photos of the DV Rally on the Photos page)
(See more photos of the DV Rally on the Photos page)
