Partners in College Success

Partners in College Success (PICS) ensures equal access to higher education and an equitable College experience for low-income, refugee, immigrant, foster, homeless and disadvantaged youth in San Diego County. PICS provides dedicated, persistent, and personalized support applying to College, completing a degree, and securing career employment. PICS is currently the only free College and career guidance organization focused on East County San Diego, serving socioeconomically disadvantaged youth aged 12-25. East County is the #2 refugee resettlement location in the U.S. And is ranked as 4th most socioeconomically disadvantaged region in California. Of our students, 85% live below the poverty line with non-English speaking parents, 98% are first-generation Americans. Ethnicity demographics are: 45% refugees from the Middle East, 42% Latinx, 6% African-American, 5% Asian, 2% White; 65% are female, 35% male, and 95% are on government assistance.