A Day in Old Town on the Trolley
​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.  
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.
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. 
Breaking the Silence- Youth Mental Health Panel
​ECC Meeting June 2019
WORLD OF WELLNESS RESOURCE FAIR--LEXINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
​                                                            MARCH 28, 2019

El Cajon Collaborative partners gathered together with Cajon Valley Union School District at Lexington Elementary School to celebrate Wellness Around the World.  This year's resource fair was a huge success with over 30 social service agencies providing program information, education of services and fun activities for the children.  A special thank you goes out to San Diego Youth Services for the kids crafts and DJ, El Cajon Parks & Rec for providing fun games for the kids, Crossroads Church for the bounce house and the wonderful volunteers at Lexington Elementary School.  See the photo page at www.elcajoncollaborative.org for more photos.  Contact Carol Lewis to see how you can get more involved with El Cajon Collaborative at [email protected].
The Future of Transportation Workshop--SANDAG 2019 Regional Plan
​
SANDAG brought a fun, interactive workshop to El Cajon on Monday, April 30, 2018.  The event hosted by El Cajon Collaborative, Nile Sisters Initiative and Newcomer Support & Development asked community members to share their input on factors to consider as SANDAG develops the 2019 Regional Plan.  Guests were able to participate in an online survey at the event as well as learning about programs and services offered through SANDAG.  El Cajon Collaborative will be part of the planning process over the next year until the plan is adopted.  Thank you to Mayor Bill Wells for participating with the group.  
The City of El Cajon showed their appreciation to the El Cajon Collaborative at their City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 25th.   The statement made by the City Council members included that "since 1992, the El Cajon Collaborative has added value to the community.  The City Council of the City of El Cajon hereby affirms its value, contributions and importance as a coordinator and provider of a multitude of services for the people of El Cajon."  Several partner agencies of the El Cajon Collaborative were there to receive the recognition including Crisis House, CASA, PCG, Home-Start, License to Freedom, Newcomers Support & Development, East Co. Career Center, Family Health Centers of San Diego, El Cajon Library and HHSA.  The El Cajon Collaborative is celebrating 25 years in El Cajon by creating a strong network of social service support and leveraging those critical resources to best serve our families and seniors.  ​
City Council Recognizes the 
El Cajon Collaborative with an Award for Adding Value to the Community since 1992.
El Cajon Collaborative Hosts Community Needs Assessment
​On Tuesday, November 25th, the County of San Diego’s Community Action Partnership (CAP) in collaboration with Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) and El Cajon Collaborative recently heard from you about the most important issues in our community.  The Forum was held in English, Spanish and Arabic.

In 2014 CAP worked with community members throughout San Diego, including El Cajon, to conduct a needs assessment as part of a Resident Leadership Academy training experience. The top nine needs were identified as youth programs, housing, gang activity, community engagement, access to healthy food, infrastructure improvement, employment, education and transportation. To ensure they have the voice of the residents, CAP and the El Cajon Collaborative held a forum to talk more in-depth about these issues and others that impact the health, safety and quality of life in our community.  Some of the more important issues that weren't included on the 2014 top nine needs were homelessness, mental health, refugee assistance and access to quality healthcare.  

Share your thoughts on their survey by clicking on the links below by December 2nd.  Thank you to the East County Salvation Army for sharing their space with us.
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
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.  ​​

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)