On August 23, 2022, the Survivors of Torture, International (SURVIVORS) Board of Directors announced Etleva Bejko as the new Executive Director following the planned retirement of Founding Executive Director Kathi Anderson on September 30, 2022.

Etleva will be introduced to the SURVIVORS’ community at the 12th Annual Helping Survivors Heal Fundraiser event on September 15. The event will be available online at either Noon or 5:30pm that day and all supporters are encouraged to register for the event here: https://notorture.org/helpingheal/

Etleva is a highly respected immigration services leader with over 20 years of experience in the field. Throughout her career, she has responded to humanitarian crises, rallied community groups, and built programs and teams that have served generations of refugees and immigrants throughout the San Diego County.

Being a native of Albania, the arrival of ethnic Albanians fleeing Kosovo due to ethnic cleansing in the late ‘90s, presented her with the first opportunity to assist the refugee community in San Diego. Etleva began working with the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement team in 1999. This role led her to join Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) in 2005 and progress in her responsibilities, most recently as the Director of Refugee Services.

After 20 years, Etleva is a leader with an in-depth understanding of client engagement, strategic management and operations, and overall grants management. Throughout her professional career, Etleva has worked closely with local and federal partners to address the barriers immigrant populations face and collaboratively improve their health, safety, and overall well-being.  She has developed successful strategies for providing services to clients, while representing them and the organization in the community. She has built and maintained partnerships with various stakeholders across the County to ensure genuine immigrant and refugee equity and integration.

During the border crisis of 2018, Etleva was a key leader in coordinating what is now an official migrant shelter, serving released asylum seekers and reuniting them with their families. As asylum seekers were detained and then released without coordination, leaving them stranded in San Diego with no resources, the need for a shelter grew overnight. Etleva began work on the ground, building systems to manage the influx of needy individuals, all while securing the resources required to support the newcomers.

Etleva completed her undergraduate studies in Albania, and in December 2022, she will complete a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.

We’re a healing resource to survivors of torture and their families without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic or immigration status.

SURVIVORS can provide specialized care and support to empower you in your healing journey to become a self-sufficient and healthy member of your family and community. We are able to offer services to torture survivors and their families free of charge. Professional interpretation is available.

To find out if you qualify for services, please call us at 619-278-2400 to talk with an expert staff member.

Pro-Bono volunteer physicians perform medical evaluations for clients’ asylum cases. Physicians write medical affidavits for attorneys to present in court, documenting that there is physical evidence of torture. Medical evaluations are always done in person, either at SURVIVORS’ office or a secondary location. Interpreters are provided for this service. Applicant’s medical licenses must be up to date.

Contractors accept clients for individual, couples or family therapy on a case-by-case basis. You choose your availability and create your own schedule. Therapy sessions may occur in your office setting in the community, Survivors’ office space, in-home, or via telemedicine. SURVIVORS provides compensation for your work. We will also provide professional interpreters to work with you.

You are not alone. We’re here to help. We’re a healing resource to survivors of torture and their families without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or economic or legal status.

SURVIVORS can provide specialized care and support to empower you in your healing journey to become a self-sufficient and healthy member of your family and community. We are able to offer services to torture survivors and their families free of charge. Professional interpretation is available.

To find out if you qualify for services, please call us at 619-278-2400 to talk with an expert staff member.

PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES

SURVIVORS provides tailored individual, group, family, and couples therapy with licensed and licensed eligible mental health professionals throughout San Diego County.

MEDICAL SERVICES

SURVIVORS’ provides support for Survivors with medical needs like finding a physician for general health care or connecting with a vision provider to receive glasses. 

PSYCHOTHERAPY

SURVIVORS provides tailored individual, group, family, and couples therapy with licensed and licensed eligible mental health professionals throughout San Diego County.

PSYCHIATRY

SURVIVORS’ psychiatric services include a thorough evaluation of clients and regular follow-ups by a psychiatrist.

PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETATION

SURVIVORS facilitates professional, trauma-informed interpretation so our clients can receive services in their native language or dialect to best support their healing process and care.

HEALING CLUB

SURVIVORS offers Healing Clubs to help counter torture survivor’s feelings of shame, humiliation, and isolation. Activities have included art projects and nature walks.

AYSLUM SUPPORT

SURVIVORS coordinates medical affidavits and psychological evaluations to support our client’s asylum cases. Medical and psychological evaluations are conducted by trained professional evaluators.

ASYLUM SUPPORT

SURVIVORS coordinates medical affidavits and psychological evaluations to support our client’s asylum cases. Medical and psychological evaluations are conducted by trained professional evaluators.

CASE MANAGEMENT

Services to address essential needs such as food, clothing, and housing. We distribute blankets, backpacks and educational supplies, public transit passes, and hygiene items.

MEDICAL SERVICES

SURVIVORS’ provides support for Survivors with medical needs like finding a physician for general health care or connecting with a vision provider to receive glasses. 

PSYCHIATRY

SURVIVORS’ psychiatric services include a thorough evaluation of clients and regular follow-ups by a psychiatrist.

HEALING CLUB

SURVIVORS offers Healing Clubs to help counter torture survivor’s feelings of shame, humiliation, and isolation. Activities have included art projects and nature walks.

INTERPRETERS

SURVIVORS partners with professional, trauma-informed interpreters so our clients can receive services in their native language or dialect to best support their healing process and care.

CASE MANAGEMENT

Services to address essential needs such as food, clothing, and housing. We distribute blankets, backpacks and educational supplies, public transit passes, and hygiene items.