Each year, thanks to the generosity of the San Diego University for Integrative Studies students, staff, instructors and the generous San Diego community, The Salvation Army receives thousands of new toys and gifts through the Toy Drive. The Salvation Army distributes the toys a week before Christmas in the form of a Toy Distribution -“Toy Shop”. Families and children needing holiday assistance are selected through School and Agency Referral Programs of The Salvation Army. This is a wonderful opportunity for the SDUIS and USAELC students to participate and give something back to our community. SDUIS staff, students and instructors also donate bicycles at our Annual Christmas Party. You too can help! Join us this year by bringing joy into the lives of San Diego’s needy children. Donate a toy by bringing it to SDUIS or contact us and we will pick it up, 619-297-1999.

The San Diego University for Integrative Studies psychology and marriage and family therapy students volunteer their time at Counseling Centers, Psychiatric Hospitals and mental health facilities throughout San Diego County as part of their practical training. They volunteer at facilities offering treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery services which include screening and assessment, medication management, crisis intervention, group and individual short term therapy, for people who are experiencing persistent and severe mental illness or a mental health crisis. Services are also offered at integrated system of community-based alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services throughout San Diego County. In addition some programs offer case management and homeless outreach.

USA English Language Center instructors educate and turn Brazilian children from impoverished backgrounds into skilled employable individuals. USA ELC instructors travel and live in the south of Brazil, to teach English as a Second Language to 48 abandoned children from a local orphanage. USA ELC educators believe that their time and expertise helps make a difference in their own lives and someone else’s. The site of USA ELC classes is the home of 80 orphans ages 5-18. Portuguese is the language spoken in Brazil, the largest country in South America. For more information and to participate in this program contact Dr. Versari at [email protected]

The San Diego University for Integrative Studies is the home of the Consulate General of Brazil. For the last 19 years, three times a year for two days the staff of the Consulate General of Brazil in Los Angeles provide consular services at the San Diego University for Integrative Studies. The Consulate General in Los Angeles has responsibility over the following counties: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.