December 2025 — Urban League of San Diego County

As the holiday season is upon us and we prepare to welcome a new year, I want to extend warm wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyful holiday season filled with peace, health, and hope. This is a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewal—and it offers an opportunity to celebrate all that we have accomplished together as a community.

This past year has been one of meaningful impact for the Urban League of San Diego County. Thanks to your partnership and support, we have helped individuals secure employment, supported families facing housing instability, expanded access to education and workforce, and strengthened pathways to economic opportunity across our region. Each milestone achieved reflects the collective commitment of our staff, board, volunteers, donors, and community partners who believe deeply in high ethical standards and empowerment.

We are proud of the progress we’ve made, but we are also mindful that the work continues. Too many families still face uncertainty, and the need for direct support and long-term solutions remains urgent. As we close out the year, I invite you to consider making a year-end gift to the Urban League of San Diego County. Your contribution—made before December 31—can make an immediate difference by helping us meet critical needs and begin the new year positioned to serve even more individuals and families.

In fact, we are proud to partner with the San Diego Foundation on a new housing insecurity initiative to support San Diego. This funding allows us to provide direct assistance to individuals and families at risk of housing displacement. We will assist individuals and families with mortgage and rental payments.

As we look ahead to the new year, we do so with optimism, determination, and a renewed commitment to advancing opportunity and justice for all. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive region where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Thank you for your continued belief in our mission. Happy Holidays, and here’s to a bright and impactful New Year ahead.

With gratitude and cheer,

Al Abdallah

President & CEO

Urban League of San Diego County

Mistresses of Ceremonies

Yasmeen Ludy

ABC 10News 

Special Thanks to all of our Sponsors, Partners, Honorees, Attendees, Volunteers, Audio-Visual Team, Mistress of Ceremonies, Staff, and especially our Top Sponsors,

US Bank,

BMO, and Sycuan Resort!

Four local organizations receive a total of $710,000 in the second round of rapid-response housing grants as federal cuts increase housing strain on seniors and families across the region

The Urban League of San Diego County was one of the four organizations. The San Diego Foundation (SDF) and the Urban League of San Diego County (ULSDC) are introducing the Housing Financial Assistance Program (HFAP) to support residents who are at imminent risk of homelessness due to rental arrears or delinquent mortgage payments.

Through this program, we will provide a one-time payment of up to $10,000 directly to the landlords or mortgage companies on behalf of eligible San Diego County residents.

This initiative is designed to promote housing stability, prevent homelessness, and help residents regain financial self-sufficiency. Please click here to review the release for more information.

Residents may apply online or in person.  To apply in person, applicants must contact us at the Urban League of San Diego County by completing an intake form.

One of our own, Jackie Reed, was featured on Fox 5/KUSI News and mentioned the Urban League of San Diego County, Ray King, and Al Abdallah as significant influences in her life and the work she does with women's re-entry wrap-around services. Click the link below to watch the interview.

Today's Urban League — Bridging the Divide 

BY HERMAN C. COLLINS, Public Affairs Consultant

URBAN LEAGUE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

The phrase “We’ve Never Been So Divided” expresses a widely held viewpoint, with many Americans considering the nation to be significantly divided. According to a recent Gallup poll, 80% of U.S. adults report that the country is currently experiencing substantial divisions regarding important values. 

This division is fueled by factors such as political polarization, social media algorithms that amplify extreme viewpoints, and a decline in cross-aisle compromise. While the country has a history of division, the current moment is distinct due to the intensity of partisan animosity and a sense that opposing political parties are more like enemies than rivals. 

Unlike the Jim Crow era’s legal segregation, today’s divides stem from ideological differences and intense rhetoric. Founded in 1910, the Urban League advocates for minority and disadvantaged populations, tackling challenges faced by African Americans and other groups in urban settings. 

Currently, the Urban League helps close racial gaps and continues to play a significant role in bridging the racial gap by focusing on several key areas: 

Education and Awareness: By providing educational programs and resources, these organizations can help raise awareness about racial issues and promote understanding among different communities. This includes workshops, seminars, and public speaking events that address the history and impact of racism, as well as strategies for combating it. 

Economic Empowerment: Initiatives that focus on economic development, such as job training programs, small business support, and financial literacy workshops, can help reduce economic disparities between racial groups. By empowering individuals economically, the Urban League helps create more equitable opportunities for all. 

Advocacy and Policy Change: By advocating for policy changes at local, state, and national levels, organizations like the Urban League can help address systemic issues that contribute to racial inequality. This includes pushing for reforms in areas such as criminal justice, housing, education, and healthcare. 

Community Building: Creating spaces where people from different racial backgrounds can come together to share experiences and work towards common goals is crucial. Community events, cultural exchanges, and collaborative projects can help build trust and foster a sense of unity. 

Support Services: Providing support services such as counseling and mentorship can help individuals navigate challenges related to racial discrimination and inequality. These services can offer immediate assistance and long-term support to those in need. 

While the perception of deep division in America is widespread, a closer examination reveals that much of this division is amplified by political and social forces rather than inherent differences among the public. Historical context, such as the era of Jim Crow and racial segregation, underscores the long-standing challenges of unity, particularly between Black and White Americans.  

Although times and social conditions have evolved, the Urban League continues to demonstrate its commitment by making meaningful contributions and advancing collaborative initiatives through its ongoing efforts. 

The final question is: What commitment of time, effort, and resources are you prepared to make to support the Urban League collective? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” This statement highlights the significance of unity and joint action in addressing persistent societal divisions. The Urban League today is fostering cooperation and working collectively, so communities can overcome racial barriers and establish a future based on justice and equality for all individuals. “Not alms but opportunity". 

What Would MLK Say



BY HERMAN C. COLLINS, Public Affairs Consultant

URBAN LEAGUE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Today's headlines make it seem as if civilization has moved backward by half a century. White men claim to be under attack by DEI, and America is under invasion by brown people wanting to undermine democracy. With the MLK Holiday nearing, I wonder what Dr. King would think of today's society.

Martin Luther King Jr. would likely see Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a continuation of his struggle for “genuine equality.”  I believe he would condemn Trump’s mass deportation policy as a betrayal of justice, due process, and human dignity. Dr. King’s vision of the “Beloved Community” stands in stark contrast to policies rooted in exclusion and fear.

Martin Luther King Jr. consistently emphasized that the civil rights movement was not only about ending segregation but about achieving true equality. In a 1967 interview, King explained that America had moved from a “struggle for decency” to a “struggle for genuine equality,” and that this deeper demand was where resistance would be hardened. He understood that dismantling overt discrimination was only the first step; the harder task was building systems that actively promote fairness. This is precisely the mission of DEI initiatives today.

DEI programs seek to ensure that marginalized groups are not merely tolerated but are given equitable access to education, employment, and civic participation. King would likely support DEI as a practical embodiment of his belief that America must “do something special for the Negro” after centuries of oppression. He rejected simplistic notions of “colorblindness,” insisting that systemic inequities required intentional remedies. DEI, in this sense, is not a departure from King’s dream but its modern extension.

In contrast, Trump’s mass deportation campaign represents a radical expansion of state power to exclude millions of immigrants. His administration has sought to detain nearly all immigrants facing deportation proceedings, cutting off bond hearings and subjecting long-time residents to indefinite detention. Courts across the country—including judges appointed by Trump—have ruled that this policy violates due process and defies decades of legal precedent.

Beyond detention, Trump has signaled plans to deport immigrants deemed “public burdens” or “incompatible with Western civilization,” even targeting those with legal residency.

I believe King would argue that deportation policies treating immigrants as disposable violate the sacred worth of every human being. He often invoked the Christian ethic of neighborly love, which extends beyond national borders.

King’s vision called for the “Beloved Community” included immigrants, workers, and the poor. He would call for solidarity between Black Americans and immigrant communities, recognizing shared struggles against systemic exclusion.

King frequently warned against leaders who exploit fear to divide. Trump’s rhetoric about immigrants as “burdens” or “threats” mirrors the same fearmongering King opposed in segregationists.

King would likely connect DEI efforts to resistance against mass deportation. DEI programs in schools, workplaces, and civic institutions affirm the value of diversity and challenge exclusionary narratives. In this way, DEI is not only about racial equity but also about defending immigrant communities from marginalization.

King’s message would be clear. America cannot claim to honor his dream while dismantling inclusion and deporting millions. True greatness lies not in exclusion but in building a community where diversity is cherished, equity is pursued, and “justice rolls down like waters.”

Are You a Senior Living in San Diego and

 Need Help Finding Resources?

Finding the right senior programs should not feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Not sure where to start—or tired of getting the runaround?

The Urban League of San Diego County (ULSDC) Elder Multicultural Access & Support Services (EMASS) Team is here to help you!

We proudly serve as advocates for San Diego residents aged 60 and older, connecting you to the resources you need and deserve.

While we do not provide direct senior programs or financial aid, our mission is to identify services tailored to your age, income, and personal or family needs.

We may be able to connect you with trusted programs that offer:

• Home food delivery (free or at a minimal cost)
• Transportation to and from appointments
• In-home senior services (cooking, cleaning, etc.)
• In-home health care providers
• Veteran services

Tell us what you need—we will do the legwork for you. This assistance is provided at no cost to you. We are your partner and your advocate.

You are not alone on this journey. We are here to support and stand by you every step of the way.

Once we find the right program(s) for you, we can also:

• Help you complete any required application(s)
• Attend appointments with you
• Speak with program representatives on your behalf
• We'll follow up with you to make sure that the selected program is meeting your needs.

Our EMASS team, led by Jackie Stanley, is available to help you. You can reach Jackie by email at Jackie@sdul.org or by phone on 619-266-6285

The Community Health & Resource Fair will go dark in January and resume on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Mark your Calendars!

Dear AnchorSTEM Partners,

We are excited to announce that applications for the 2025 AnchorSTEM Scholarship are now being accepted. 

Please share with students and friends who will begin college this coming fall and would like to major in STEM.

The information for applying to be an AnchorSTEM Scholar at USD can be found here:

Information Here

Application Here

Flyer here

AnchorSTEM Scholars will receive up to four years of scholarship support plus other financial assistance they may be eligible for, covering up to their full demonstrated need, individualized mentoring, opportunities to engage in research, community engagement and/or paid internships, community-building, special classes, leadership opportunities, career-readiness training, and financial support to attend conferences.

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Monday, March 31, 2024- 11:59 PM

IMPORTANT: Just so you know, to be eligible for the scholarship, a student must have applied and been accepted to USD.

Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Warm regards,

The AnchorSTEM Team at the University of San Diego

Carla Penha Vasconcelos, PhD.

(She/Her/Ella/Ela)

AnchorSTEM Project Manager

Research Associate

Adjunct Faculty

AnchorSTEM Webpage

The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education

School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES)

University of San Diego

5998 Alcalá Park

Mother Rosalie Hill Hall 259

San Diego, CA 92110-2492

cpenhavasconcelos@sandiego.edu

Are you passionate about the health and wellness of our community? Do you work in the health wellness industry? Do you have a skill that can benefit the advancement of health and wellness equity in our community? If so, we need you! Our community needs you! Sign up today using the link below. If you have questions, please send an email to info@sdul.org.

We want to help you with tools to "Thrive in 2025"!

Do you have a business that provides health and wellness for individuals and families in the County of San Diego, Orange County, or the Inland Empire?

We are creating a Health & Wellness Directory housed on the Urban League of San Diego County website. This will include a behavioral health directory and a general health and wellness directory. According to the attendees of our Fireside Chats, areas in our communities lack health resources and need more urgent care facilities, especially ones open after 5 p.m. Our young families need a directory and a resource toolkit that includes accepted insurance information and medical professionals with cultural sensitivity training for diverse community members. This will be an online business list versus a case management site. Individuals will be directed to contact hotlines if they need to speak to a live person or need case management services.

This can be mental health, medical health, doula professional health, promotoras/ community health worker, physical health, fitness, or nutritional health businesses. This can be small, extensive, private practice, or consulting businesses.

These are some important dates to mark on your calendar!

Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Golden Pyramid Scholars Program & College Signing Day

Do you have an upcoming event that should be shared with our community? Please use the link below, and we will review and add it to our website calendar.

The Urban League of San Diego County uses specific image sizes to maintain consistency across all viewing platforms. Any event submissions with images not properly cropped will result in immediate rejection.

Submitting your event does not guarantee that it will be posted on www.sdul.org.

Becoming a member of the Urban League of San Diego County does qualify your event to appear on the website. For more information about becoming a member of one of our auxilaries contact info@sdul.org or call 619.266.6265.