Over the last year, Mohamed Mbengue has attended several workshops alongside his Mid-City neighbors, dreaming of what the future could look like for the area’s refugee and immigrant community.
The workshops have been a key part of the hub’s development. And on Saturday afternoon, the community will be able to see their work paying off. But there are already two buildings on the property, so community members and local nonprofits can start using the space in the coming months, said Ramla Sahid, PANA’s executive director.
For seven months, San Diego County has been working to establish a permanent center to provide temporary services to migrants with the help of $19.6 million in federal funding, but. The county already operates two welcome centers — one in National City and another that opened this week in Escondido — to help connect migrants with services.The new hub, she said, would provide resources not only to those settling in San Diego but also to those passing through.
It will also be a valuable resource for the various cultures represented in City Heights — one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the county, with more than 30 languages and 80 dialects spoken and residents hailing from all over the world.The organization has explored different ownership models for the space. It’s working with the city and attorneys to determine how the community itself could ultimately own the property.