Youth leaders from out PANA Youth Congress along with @Weareyouthwill, @midcitycan, @sdoporganizing, @majdalcenter, @the_global_arc, and @sdforeverychild spoke powerfully about the need to expand the electorate to include young people near the consequences of voters. #Vote16

This is our legacy. And we're just getting started. #PANA10 #be10nging

Through their advocacy, they've ensured that the needs of refugee youth, from academic support to a sense of safety and belonging, are not just heard, but acted on. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow. They are shaping our San Diego communities today.

These young leaders have secured major wins, advocating for policy changes that create a more inclusive San Diego. Their powerful voice has been pivotal in advancing critical initiatives, including the fight for legal defense funds to protect immigrant families, redistricting, & getting out the vote

It is a platform where refugee and immigrant youth move from the perimeter to the center, developing their skills in advocacy, community organizing, and public policy. Their impact has been undeniable.

These reports are more than data. They are the collective testimony of our community, the foundation of our advocacy, and the proof that when we tell our own story, we change the conversation.

This is our legacy. And we're just getting started. #PANA10 #be10nging

While the report revealed systemic barriers, it also illuminated the powerful assets within our community. This report reflected not only what was broken around us, but what was strong within us. So we did it again in 2021 and 2023.

We trained 6 refugee leaders who held 50 house meetings in their communities, collecting 505 surveys in 18 languages. This was the birth of our first Refugee Experiences Report.

These reports are more than data. They are the collective testimony of our community, the foundation of our advocacy, and the proof that when we tell our own story, we change the conversation.

This is our legacy. And we're just getting started. #PANA10 #be10nging

While the report revealed systemic barriers, it also illuminated the powerful assets within our community. This report reflected not only what was broken around us, but what was strong within us. So we did it again in 2021 and 2023.

We trained 6 refugee leaders who held 50 house meetings in their communities, collecting 505 surveys in 18 languages. This was the birth of our first Refugee Experiences Report.

This is where our story started. 10 years later, it’s a story we continue to write together. #PANA10 #be10nging

In the years that followed, these visions met real policy, organizing, storytelling, and civic engagement. When power finally looks like the people who’ve known displacement, resettlement, surveillance, and resilience — everything changes.

Our earliest days weren't about big press conferences; they were about the hard, foundational work of building trust and listening. We held meetings in living rooms and community centers. We heard stories of struggle, of resilience, and of a deep desire for a voice.

PANA was founded as the bold, direct answer. We were established not just as another non-profit, but as a refugee-led community power-building organization.

In 2015, San Diego was home to one of the largest refugee populations in the nation. Yet, the systems meant to serve them were often failing. The conversation about New Americans was happening, but it rarely included our voices at the decision-making table.

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#Be10nging

- Have provided $1.2 million in mutual aid and emergency assistance
- Launched @panayouthcongress, where youth spoke up about issues they care about, like draconian surveillance
- Purchased community-owned land for housing, entrepreneurship, and power-building