Haiti Is in Crisis. Our Community Feels It Here.
Gang violence, political collapse, and natural disasters have displaced millions of Haitians. Many have found refuge in San Diego — and FREC is here to help them rebuild.
The Scale of the Crisis
What Is Happening in Haiti?
Haiti is experiencing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere. Armed gangs now control an estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital, forcing families to flee their homes, schools, and livelihoods with little more than the clothes on their backs.
The crisis has been decades in the making — shaped by political instability, the devastating 2010 earthquake, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, a second major earthquake in 2021, and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Each blow has deepened poverty and eroded the institutions Haitians depend on.
Today, more than 700,000 people are internally displaced inside Haiti. Hundreds of thousands more have sought safety abroad — in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and the United States. Many have made their way to San Diego, where a growing Haitian diaspora community has taken root in City Heights.
"Gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince. Over 700,000 people are displaced inside Haiti alone."
— UN OCHA, 2024
The Impact in San Diego & City Heights
City Heights is home to one of the most diverse refugee communities in the United States — and Haitian families are among the fastest-growing populations arriving here. Many come with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or pending asylum claims, navigating an unfamiliar legal system while grieving the lives they left behind.
They arrive with urgent needs: safe housing, food, English language skills, legal guidance, and mental health support. Many have witnessed violence, lost family members, and endured dangerous journeys before reaching San Diego.
FREC was founded by and for this community. Our staff and volunteers speak Haitian Creole and French. We understand the culture, the trauma, and the resilience of the Haitian people — and we are committed to walking alongside every family that comes through our doors.
How FREC Responds
Language & Education
Free ESL classes and literacy programs help Haitian adults and children gain the language skills they need to find work, navigate services, and connect with their new community.
Legal Aid & Asylum Support
Our legal team provides free consultations and assistance with asylum applications, TPS renewals, work permits, and family reunification cases.
Housing Navigation
We help families find safe, affordable housing in City Heights and connect them with emergency shelter, rental assistance, and tenant rights resources.
Mental Health & Trauma Care
Culturally competent counseling and support groups help survivors of violence and displacement process trauma and rebuild emotional wellbeing.
Food & Basic Needs
Our food pantry and emergency assistance program ensure no family goes hungry while they get back on their feet.
Community & Belonging
Cultural events, youth programs, and community gatherings help Haitian families stay connected to their heritage and find belonging in their new home.
Stand With Haiti. Stand With Our Neighbors.
Every donation, every volunteer hour, every act of solidarity makes a difference for a Haitian family rebuilding their life in City Heights. Join us.