Upcoming Events
Facebook Live (you can watch it without FB account): https://www.
Past Events
San Diego Karen New Year 2020
Saturday, January 18, 2020
11 am – 3 pm (Lunch: 1:30-3 pm)
at Horace Mann Middle School (4345 54th St, San Diego, CA 92115)
Experience Peace
Thursday, 5/23/2019
6:30-9:00 PM
at USD Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, IPJ Theater
(5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110)
“Experience Peace” is a storytelling event of resiliency and hope through expressive arts from Burma, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. KOSD’s youth dancers will perform at the beginning of this event. Please join us to experience peace together.
San Diego World Refugee Day Celebration
Saturday, 6/22/2019
11-3 pm
at Copley Price YMCA (4300 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92105)
Exploring Karen Culture Over Time
~ Karen Youth Panel~
Friday, 4/26/2019
4:00 – 6:00 pm
at SSW1500, San Diego State University
1st KOSD Community Clean Up Day
Saturday, 4/27/2019
8:00 – 11:00 am
Please join us to clean our neighborhood together! We will meet at KOSD office at 8 am before heading to some cleaning locations in City Heights.
Karen New Year 2019
Saturday, January 12, 2019
@ Crawford High School Auditorium
(4191 Colts Way, San Diego CA 92115)
For details, please email our Culture Program Coordinator, Paw Lay, at pawlay@karensandiego.org.
Night at Art Produce: Fundraiser for Refugees from Burma
Monday, November 13, at 5-8 PM Get Flyer
@ Art Produce in North Park
(3139 University Avenue, San Diego CA 92104)
Please purchase your tickets now!
Night at Art Produce: Fundraiser for Refugees from Burma |
Come help us celebrate 6 years of growth, outreach, and support for newly arrived refugee families from Burma!
Monday November 13th, 5 to 8 pm at the beautiful Art Produce in the heart of North Park.
Enjoy music, appetizers, and beers alog with fresh produce grown by the Karen refugee community.
Tickets are $25 and include one drink, appetizers, and entertainment. Children under 12 are free. Please purchase your ticket now!
Karen New Year 2017: Saturday, January 14, 2017, at 9 – 1 PM
@ Crawford High School (4191 Colts Way, San Diego CA 92115)
Save the date! More details soon.
Please join this free event at the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden (Inamori Pavilion) in Balboa Park to learn from delegation members representing refugee resettlement programs in Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Includes presentations, questions & answers, and a panel discussion, with a hosted reception at 4pm.
RSVP by March 31st at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/refugee-symposium-tickets-2250…
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KOSD Community Night Fundraiser: Arts, Camera, Action!
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2015
Time: 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: AjA Project
Address: 4089 Fairmount Ave San Diego, CA 92105
Please join us for a beautiful celebration of art and culture as we raise funds for the Karen Organization of San Diego and its impactful programs assisting refugees from Burma. This evening will feature stories from our community of refugees living in San Diego, performance art from the Diverze Youth Art Platform visiting directly from Yangon, Burma (Myanmar), a showcase and auction of photography from KOSD youth, and a tasty dinner of traditional Karen food (vegetarian options available).
Suggested contribution (in advance or at the door):
$15 Adults
$5 Children
All proceeds benefit the Karen Organization of San Diego (KOSD) and its programs assisting refugees from Burma.
Mark your calendars to attend this important documentary screening on March 8th at 11:00am in Balboa Park. KOSD youth will be volunteering their time at the screening to spread the word about what is happening to children in Fukushima.
KOSD Youth performed traditional Karen dances on the Sea World Community Stage this Saturday, 2/28, at 1:00 and 3:00.
2015 Karen New Year Celebration in San Diego
Raising funds for refugees from Burma in San Diego
Experience complete relaxation as you enjoy the healing power of Deep Yoga, AcuYoga and gentle Partner Yoga – with a special cultural dance performance by Karen youth.
Presented by Bhava Ram, former NBC war correspondent and author of “Warrior Pose – How Yoga (Literally) Saved My Life”, with Adam Meyerowitz and Rachel Dragonfly.
All proceeds benefit the KOSD, to support its critically important support services.
Date: Saturday, September 13th, 2014
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Location: Ginseng Yoga
Address: 2985 Beech St, San Diego, California 92102
Colina del Sol National Night Out
Date: Tuesday, August 5th, 2014
Time: 4:30pm – 9pm
Location: Colina del Sol Park
Address: 5319 Orange Ave San Diego, CA 92115
Fall Fundraising Festival 2014
Date: Saturday, August 23rd, 2014
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Colina del Sol Park
Address: 5319 Orange Ave San Diego, CA 92105
San Diego World Refugee Day 2014
Date: Saturday, June 21st, 2014
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Balboa Park International Cottages and Hall of Nations
Address: 2125 Park Blvd, AND 2191 West Pan American Rd. San Diego, CA 92134
Acoustic House Concert Series Fun(d)raiser for the Karen Organization of San Diego
Thursdays in June, 7pm, at a private residence in the City Heights/Oak Park neighborhood
Thursday, June 5, 7pm: The Laura Michaels Trio – A Dazzling Parade of America’s Most Popular Songs
The Laura Michaels Trio, consisting of drummer Michael Kaplan, pianist Jerry Rosenberger, and flutist Laura Walcher, plays rousing sing-alongs from the “Great American Songbook,” including classics by Cole Porter, Hank Williams, Rogers and Hammerstein, and Gershwin. KOSD and supporters had so much fun sharing music and cultures!
Thursday, June 12, 7pm: Bread & Jam Band – Americana

The members of Bread and Jam have been playing music together in various combinations for almost a decade. The current line up has been in place since late 2011. Blending Americana style with singer/songwriter sensibility, we play a combination of original music (written by Decker, Gilhoi, and Hill-Maher) and covers (both recognizable and not-so-much).
Thursday, June 19, 7pm: Songs for People Bluegrass Jam featuring members from Big Decisions and G Burns Jug Band – American Folk & Bluegrass

Whether playing swinging fiddle tunes or old time standards, The Big Decisions and G Burns Jug Band play high energy bluegrass music to get people dancing, singing, laughing, and celebrating, busting out original tunes as well as adaptations of songs from people like Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, and countless other anonymous heroes of a bygone age.
Recently, KOSD has received a donation of 2.5 arable acres of land for use as a culturally appropriate job development program. The Karen and other refugees from Burma are traditionally farmers, used to making their living off of the land. With workable land, these refugees would be able to support the dreams and ambitions that they came to the United States to fulfill.
G.R.O.W.I.N.G. (Get our Refugees Out Working In the Garden) would enable KOSD to put this donation of land to use and offer entrepreneurial farming opportunities to refugees from Burma. To learn more, please visit KOSD’s Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign!
APAPA Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration (KOSD will be recognized at the event)
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Time: 4:14pm – 6:00pm
Location: Hanbit Church
Address: 4717 Cardin St, San Diego CA 92111
API Mega Mixer
Date: Thursday, May 15th, 2014
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Location: Jasmine Seafood Restaurant
Address: 4609 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
Watershed Avengers Canyon Restoration
Date: Saturday, May 17th, 2014
Time: 9am – 1pm
Location: Swan Canyon behind Hamilton Elementary School
Address: 2807 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Asian Cultural Festival 2014
Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2014
Time: 12pm – 8pm
Location: Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa
Address: Between Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Raytheon Road
2nd International Health Fair
Date: Saturday, April 5th. 2014
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Colina del Sol Park
Address: 5319 Orange Ave. San Diego, CA 92115
KOSD Receives the National Association of Social Workers 2014 Social Work Month award for ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR!
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2014
Time: 12:30pm – 4pm
Location: VA San Diego Hospital
Address: 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161
Youth Job Fair
Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Location: Mid City Gym
Address: 4302 Landis St, San Diego, CA 92105
Please look here for more info!
Karen New Year 2014 Appreciation Party
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2014
Time: 10 am
Location: Colina del Sol Park
Address: 5319 Orange Ave. San Diego, CA 92115
Karen New Year 2014
Date: Wednesday, January 1st, 2014
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Crawford High School Auditorium
Address: 4191 Colts Way, San Diego, CA 92115
KOSD Toy Drive 2013
Date: NOW through December 21st, 2013
Time: Monday-Friday and Saturday the 21st from 9 am – 5 pm
Location: KOSD office
Address: 5354 University Ave #1, San Diego, CA 92105
The 49th Annual North Park Toyland Parade & Festival
Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2013
Time: 10am – 4:30pm
Location: The heart of North Park!
Address: Parade begins at University Ave. & Utah at 11am
for more info visit: http://www.toylandparade.com/index.html
Candlelight Walk for Human Rights
Date: Sunday, November 17th, 2013
Time: 5pm
Location: Oceanside Ampitheater and Pier
Address: 200 N the Strand, Oceanside, CA 92054
UCSD Asian & Pacific Islander Student Alliance High School Conference
Date: Saturday, November 9th, 2013
Time: 9am – 7pm
Location: UCSD Price Center Ballroom East
Address: 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA
*Accommodating needs for transportation, there will be two buses that will be sent to the following locations:
1) Crawford High School – 4192 Colts Way, San Diego, CA 92115
2) O’Farrell Charter School – 6130 Skyline Dr., San Diego, CA 92114
If you live near these locations, you may board the bus (you do not have to be a student at those schools to ride that bus). It will be first come, first serve for seats on those buses. Buses will arrive at both locations at 8am and will be departing around 8:15am, so be sure to have your waiver printed and signed with you that morning. It is recommended you show up to those locations a little early to ensure that you have a seat.
Benefit Concert and Art Fair for KOSD
Date: Friday, November 8th, 2013
Time: 6pm – 10:30pm
Location: The Mosaic
Address: 1402 Commerical St. San Diego, CA 92101
Crawford Open House
Date: Thursday, October 10th, 2013
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Location: Crawford High School
Address: 4191 Colts Way. San Diego, CA 92115
Fall Fundraising Festival
Date: Saturday, September 28th, 2013
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Colina del Sol Park
Address: 5319 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Youth Town Hall Meeting/Cultural Kickback
Date: Friday, September 27th, 2013
Time: 4pm – 7pm
Location: East African Community and Culture Center
Address: 4061 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Asian Heritage Awards
Date: Saturday, September 14th, 2013
Time: 5pm
Location: San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina
Address: 333 W. Harbor Drive, Downtown San Diego
visit www.AsainHeritageAwards.com
San Diego Refugee Forum
World Refugee Day 2013
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2013
Time: 11am – 4pm
Location: Market Creek Plaza
Address: Jacobs Center, 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
AjA Project
story+LINES Public Art Fair
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2013
Time: 11am – 6pm
Location: The AjA building
Address: 4089 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105
Red Cross
Fire Prevention Neighborhood Canvassing
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Time: 8am – 1pm
Location: Fairmont Park
Address: University Avenue & Fairmont Avenue in City Heights
Contact Karen Varela at Karen.varela@redcross.org or (858) 309-1269 for more information. Volunteers will receive: drawstring bag, t-shirt, water and snacks during the event, lunch after the event, and a certificate of appreciation from the Red Cross.
Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2013
Time: 10am – 5pm
Location: NTC Park at Liberty Station
Address: Roosevelt Rd. at Cushing Rd., San Diego, CA 92106
Beach Clean-Up Day
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: Ocean Beach
Address: 5091 Niagra Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107
Please pick up your permission form at the Karen Organization of San Diego office as soon as possible. You must have this form completed to participate in the clean-up! For more information, contact April at april@karensandiego.org or visit http://www.creektobay.org/.
Youth Resource and Job Fair
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Mid-City Gymnasium
Address: 4302 Landis Street, San Diego, CA 92105
Cambodian New Year
Date: Saturday, April 13 & Sunday, April 14, 2013
Time: 10am – 5pm
[Performance: Saturday, April 13, 2013 @ approximately 12:40pm]
Location: Colina Del Sol Park
Address: 5299 52nd Place, San Diego, CA 92105
Karen New Year 2752 (2013)
Photos
Video
/media/AA/AQ/karensandiego-org/downloads/272793/23_seconds.AVI
Date: Saturday, January 12, 2013
Program: 9am – 12:15pm
Lunch: 12:15 – 1pm
Location: Crawford High School Auditorium
Address: 4191 Colts Way, San Diego, CA 92115
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/jan/15/local-refugee-community-celebrates-karen-new-year/
Want to see photos from the 2012 celebration?
Click on one of the thumbnails below to begin slideshow:
FREE Healthcare Enrollment & Resource Fair
Date: Saturday, November 17, 2012
Time: 12 – 4pm
Location: Colina Del Sol Park
Address: 5319 Orange Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
City Heights Day-of-the Dead
Date: Saturday, November 3, 2012
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Urban Village Park
Address: 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Grand Opening
Karen Organization of San Diego
Date: Friday, September 28, 2012
Time: 4:00 – 6:00pm
Opening: SDPD Community Meeting Room*
Reception & Refreshments: KOSD Office
*The San Diego Police Department Community Meeting Room is adjacent to the KOSD office. Please contact our main office at (619) 582-0783 or info@karensandiego.org if you need detailed directions.
The Southeast Asian Refugee Experience
Please join us for storytelling, food, entertainment, and more!
Refugees from Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam will share their
culture and experiences at this engaging event.
http://laoamericancoalition.org/SEAExperience.html
Date: Saturday, August 25, 2012
Time: 11am – 5pm
Location: Jacobs Center Market Creek Plaza
Address: 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92114