First Refugee Youth Benefit Concert Brings Music and Service Together

Date: September 28, 2024

Time: 5:30 PM

Location: Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, 4321 Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121

SAN DIEGO — Young musicians and community members came together at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church on September 28 for the first Refugee Youth Benefit Concert, organized to raise funds and awareness for programs serving refugee children and families in San Diego.

The evening brought together musicians from different backgrounds and traditions. The program included classical performances by young musicians alongside traditional East African music performed by members of the refugee community, creating a concert that reflected both musical diversity and a shared sense of purpose.

More than 100 community members attended the inaugural event, which raised approximately $2,000 for RefugeeNet. For ROOTS, the concert represented an expansion of its service beyond STEM education and demonstrated that young people could use many different talents, including music, to support their community.

The response to the first concert inspired ROOTS to continue the event annually. What began as a relatively small youth-led fundraiser in 2024 would grow significantly the following year, bringing together dozens more performers and raising thousands of additional dollars for refugee youth education.

About ROOTS

ROOTS, the Refugee Children’s Organization for Tech and Science, is a youth-led volunteer organization dedicated to expanding access to STEM education and enrichment opportunities for refugee children in San Diego. Through partnerships with refugee-serving organizations, schools, universities, and community institutions, ROOTS organizes free STEM camps, STEM Days, educational field trips, book drives, benefit concerts, and other programs designed to build curiosity, confidence, friendship, and community among young learners. We can be reached at rootsclubsd@gmail.com