Contra Costa County launches SAFE center for immigrants
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (June 27, 2025) — Contra Costa County is piloting a Services and Access for Everyone (SAFE) Center with a one-time $5 million investment. The SAFE center will be a new community hub designed to connect immigrant individuals and families with resources, support and opportunities.
Contra Costa County is home to more than 300,000 foreign-born residents – over one-fourth of the county’s population. They are teachers, nurses, artists, students, entrepreneurs and essential workers who contribute more than $16.8 billion to our local economy.
But beyond the numbers, these individuals represent the diverse vibrancy of our community, and they deserve dignity, support and a sense of belonging.
As federal support for immigrants and refugees continues to erode, local leaders must step-up.
Building safe, inclusive communities has always been central to my public service. As a police officer, I worked daily to protect residents. On the Pleasant Hill City Council, I championed the Inclusive City Resolution to ensure everyone felt welcome – regardless of ethnicity, gender or sexuality.
Now, as a county supervisor, I continue my work to make our community safe and welcoming for all residents in Contra Costa County.
I am honored to have secured funding to establish the SAFE Center. This initiative is the result of months of collaboration with county staff, nonprofit partners and community leaders – including Ali Saidi of Stand Together Contra Costa and Susun Kim of the Family Justice Center. Together, we identified a vision rooted in lived experience, community voice and cross-sector partnerships.
Following the proven model of the Family Justice Center, whose long-term sustainability has relied on philanthropic donations following initial funding from the County, the SAFE Center will need the support of our community.
The initial hub will be in Concord, with planned services to include a mobile component to meet needs across our county.
The Center will bring together community partners with a focus on education resources, economic opportunities, financial and safety-net services, healthcare, legal aid, social connections, cultural celebrations and civic engagement.
This pilot program is funded through a combination of $1.5 million from Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 budgets, redirected from the Employment and Human Services Department’s Measure X allocations, and $3.5 million from the County’s COVID-19 FEMA Reserves.
I thank my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors for their support in approving this one-time allocation.
Contra Costa County thrives because of our diversity, and it is essential that we support all residents to thrive.
At its core, the SAFE Center is dedicated to creating a space where individuals and families can feel seen, supported and valued. To learn more about the SAFE Center, please visit https://tinyurl.com/SAFECenterCoCo.
Ken Carlson is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to SupervisorCarlson@bos.cccounty.us or call his office at 925-655-2350.