Our History

The History of SLO

Back in 2021, when the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans–some who supported U.S. diplomatic staff, military, and NGOs–were left behind wondering if the immigration they were promised would ever happen. Gut-wrenching stories out of the Kabul airport filled the media and touched the hearts of so many in the U.S., including folks right here in San Luis Obispo County.

In the fall of 2021, a few friends committed to helping a limited number of these vulnerable families resettle in the San Luis Obispo area and co-founded SLO for HOME as a 501c3 non-profit. As they connected with the San Luis Obispo community, these friends learned that many others shared their concerns and built a strong foundation of support including multiple faith groups (Christian and Jewish congregations, the Islamic Mosque of Nasreen, local Buddhist Sangha), public service organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club and Masonic Temple), retired military veterans, local governmental officials, and the SLO Chamber of Commerce. 

SLO for HOME established a 5-member Board of Directors to help navigate the first year, connect with local donors, and raise vital funds to support operations and resettle families in SLO County. The Church World Service (CWS), an agency authorized by the U.S. State Department to help with the legal immigration of refugees, also partnered with SLO for HOME to identify families in need. In April 2022, CWS connected SLO for HOME with its first refugee family: Abdullah, Sophia, and their daughter Arsh.

While SLO for HOME began by focusing on Afghan families, it soon became clear that their mission to provide intensive support could benefit families from war-torn countries worldwide. With the encouragement of CWS, SLO for HOME has also welcomed Syrian and Ukrainian families fleeing wars in their home countries.

Building off the lessons learned in supporting the first family from Afghanistan, SLO for HOME implemented a holistic support plan for each family. As of January 2025, SLO for HOME has helped resettle 4 Afghan, 3 Syrian, and 4 Ukrainian families, all resettled in SLO and Santa Barbara Counties, including Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria. And in February 2025 we added an Afghan family of 6 plus a single Afghan man. Both of the men had assisted the U.S. military in Afghanistan and were awarded Special Immigrant Visas, allowing them to be admitted to the U.S. in spite of the broad blockage of other refugee immigrants.

SLO for HOME was ready to welcome more families in 2025 and was recently matched with an Afghan woman and her three children. However, with the recent changes in U.S. immigration policy that family’s arrival was cancelled and the future of refugee resettlement is unclear. SLO for HOME is hopeful that refugee resettlement will resume soon.

SLO for HOME maintains a capable Board of Directors (7-9 members), which recently updated the Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Core Values and outlined specific goals for the next five years. As events continue to impact vulnerable communities worldwide, the need for refugee resettlement services is even clearer– and SLO for HOME will be ready to help refugees rebuild their lives on the Central Coast as soon as immigration policies allow. 

Key characteristics of SLO for Home:

  • Capacity to resettle up to 4 families per year
  • Emphasis on intensive support for each family, aiming to help them achieve independent status within 12 months after arrival.
  • Each family has a dedicated volunteer who assists them and provides a social connection from day one through at least the first year.
  • Support that SLO for Home provides includes:
    • Instruction in English as a second language.
    • Housing.
    • Transportation.
    • Devices like cell phones and computers, software, and internet connectivity.
    • Accessing publicly available resources such as Medi-Cal and Cal-Fresh.
    • Identifying legal resources to apply for asylum.
    • Assisting with job searches and enhancing career skills.
    • Creating a sense of belonging by connecting refugees with family and friends.
    • Fostering greater respect for other cultures.
  • Achieving these goals is accomplished by a team of more than 75 volunteers, multiple committees, and strong financial support from our communities.