For 45 years, Community Resource Center has been a pillar of support in North County San Diego, helping individuals and families create paths to healthy food, stable homes, and safe relationships. What began as a small grassroots effort has grown into a comprehensive service provider that transforms lives daily.
As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to building a healthier, safer, and more equitable community. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our donors, volunteers, and partners. Together, we will continue to transform lives for the next 45 years and beyond. Take a look at our timeline below and read more from our CEO, John Van Cleef, in his blog post, Growth and Gratitude.
CRC Timeline
November 26, 1979: CRC is founded by Ronald Egger, Sarah Rosenfield and Phyllis Bowers “to establish and develop a multi-purpose social service facility capable of addressing any individual, family or community concern by providing a centralized information and referral service … providing crisis intervention services … and providing preventative education …”
CRC Proclamation: November 26 Declared “Community Resource Center” Day by Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer
WHEREAS, Community Resource Center was established in 1979 and has grown from providing basic needs for families in crisis to offering extensive programs to help neighbors create paths to healthy food, stable housing and safe relationships; and
WHEREAS, Community Resource Center is the primary provider of social services and domestic violence programs in North County San Diego, serving without regard to race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, or immigration status; and
WHEREAS, Community Resource Center provides emergency assistance, case management, counseling, shelter, and food assistance to over 7,200 low-income individuals each year, including domestic violence survivors and victims of crime or abuse; and
WHEREAS, Community Resource Center has expanded its ability to meet the growing needs for healthy food, stable housing and safety from domestic violence, by working diligently and strategically to fulfill its mission; and
WHEREAS, Community Resource Center is celebrating 45 years of providing compassionate professional services to neighbors in need who are experiencing hunger, homelessness and trauma in North County San Diego; and
WHEREAS, the County of San Diego is committed to recognizing and honoring those individuals and organizations that are dedicated to the best ideals of public service and the COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER is one such worthy organization; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT PROCLAIMED by Chairwoman Nora Vargas and all members of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on this 26’h day of November 2024 that they commend !he COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER/or their outstanding service. leader hip, and commitment to the citizens of San Diego County and do hereby declare this day to be ·COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER., throughout San Diego County.
1980: Counseling, employment and legal clinics open in North County Coastal San Diego.
1981: The beginnings of CRC’s “Thrift Stores” – CRC organizes Rummage Sales and sells items out of the back of a pick-up to raise funds for CRC’s programs.
1982: With the help of local faith groups and volunteers, inaugural Holiday Baskets (originally called Christmas Baskets) provides baskets filled with food and gifts to 125 families. Volunteers serve Christmas dinner for the participating families.
1983: Social services office opens at 656 Second Street. Polynesian Night, CRC’s first major fundraising event, is hosted by the Weidners’ Gardens. Monthly FEMA food distribution begins.
1989: CRC purchases 650 and 656 Second St. Encinitas, raising funds through community and board support and the City of Encinitas, City of Solana Beach, US Community Savings, Ecke Family, Don Hubbard and Evelyn Weidner.
1990: Interfaith Shelter Network program begins, with CRC providing intake, screening and support for homeless individuals receiving shelter and meals at local churches. Bread Room opens to augment existing food programs and distribute bakery goods and produce donated by local markets. In 1990, 4,594 visits were made for this program.
1994: Emergency shelter opens for women and children escaping domestic violence and Domestic Violence Prevention & Intervention programs begin.
1995: Domestic Violence hotline begins, with volunteers answering calls and providing resources to victims of domestic violence. CRC’s hotline continues today at (877) 633-1112.
1996: First English Tea fundraising event for Domestic Violence Prevention & Intervention programs is held.
2004: With the shelter consistently at full capacity, CRC renovates the existing facility to build Carol’s House, a 24-bed emergency shelter.
2005: Therapeutic Children’s Center counseling program begins to help children at Carol’s House.
2008: CRC partners with Feeding America to administer Fresh Rescue, collecting fresh food close to expiration from local supermarkets to distribute to people who need it.
2014: Client Center (now known as the Food & Nutrition Center) opens, providing participants with an opportunity to select items from the food pantry.
2014: The City of Encinitas funds Opening Doors, helping 117 people experiencing homelessness in Encinitas obtain permanent homes between 2016 and 2018. CRC introduces the new logo.
2018: Community helps fund a new refrigerated truck for CRC’s Food & Nutrition Center services.
2019: CRC celebrates 40 years of providing critical programs to the community.
2020: The COVID pandemic begins in March, impacting CRC’s programs and staff. The need for food and housing assistance increases, CRC staff begin hybrid or total work from home schedules, and the food pantry ceases client shopping; the domestic violence shelter remains open.
2021: CRC purchases 660-664 2nd Street and begins the Capital Campaign to transform the Encinitas campus.
2022: One Safe Place, the north county family justice center, opens in San Marcos to serve victims of violence; CRC is a partner organization providing staff and a nonperishable food pantry. CRC hosts a Capital Campaign kickoff event for the community. CRC gets a new logo.
2023: The California Victim Compensation Board awards CRC a two-year grant for a new Trauma Recovery Center.
2024: The CRC Trauma Recovery Center opens in Carlsbad. The Food & Nutrition Center begins delivery of food to homebound seniors and disabled adults.
