License To Freedom
License To Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in El Cajon, California delivering trauma-informed mental health, legal aid, housing, youth, and economic empowerment services to refugee and immigrant communities across San Diego County in 8+ languages through a 40+ person multilingual staff.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersEl Cajon, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What License To Freedom does
License To Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 in El Cajon, California, that delivers trauma-informed social services to refugee and immigrant communities across San Diego County. The organization operates six core program verticals: Mental Health Services (individual counseling, group therapy, and in-home sessions in 8+ languages), Human Rights and Legal Aid (crisis intervention, restraining order representation, and court/CPS-referred 52-Week DV intervention), Housing Navigation and Enhanced Care Management (housing assistance, care coordination), Youth Enrichment (mentorship, academic support, soccer programs, Youth Ambassadors), Economic Development (8-week entrepreneur training and United We Sew artisan employment), and Family and Community Engagement (literacy, parenting, Fathers2Child, Women's Circle). It also runs the Project Hope emergency shelter program and a 40-Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training offering.
The organization employs 40+ multilingual staff, the majority of whom are themselves refugees, immigrants, or children of immigrants, enabling service delivery in Arabic, Dari, Pashto, French, Haitian Creole, Swahili, Russian/Ukrainian, and English. Founder and CEO Dilkhwaz Ahmed, a Kurdish Iraqi refugee granted asylum in 2002, leads the organization alongside a COO, Chief Clinical Officer (PhD, LMFT), and clinical and program directors. Clinical frameworks integrate narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, and decolonial poststructural feminism.
Revenue is sourced from individual donations, foundation and government grants (federal OFVPS, California DSS, California Wellness Foundation, Conrad Prebys Foundation, Price Philanthropies, Blue Shield CA, Kaiser Permanente, and others), modest product sales through the United We Sew e-commerce shop ($10-$60 per item), and paid DV training fees ($125-$150 per participant). The organization has served over 25,000 people since founding, logs 4,000+ annual DV hours, and supports 300+ mental health clients annually. There is no technology platform component; all service delivery is human-led and community-based across 30+ institutional partnerships.
License To Freedom firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- License To Freedom
- Legal name
- License to Freedom Org.
- Website
- https://licensetofreedom.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- License To Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in El Cajon, California delivering trauma-informed mental health, legal aid, housing, youth, and economic empowerment services to refugee and immigrant communities across San Diego County in 8+ languages through a 40+ person multilingual staff.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
License To Freedom industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Refugee and Immigrant Social Services
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311), Other Legal Services (54119), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF), Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), Public Defense & Legal Aid Services (BPAIAFAC), Child Rights & Protection (BPADAGAG)
Keywords
Where License To Freedom is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- El Cajon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
License To Freedom business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals supporting domestic violence shelter (Project Hope), economic development (United We Sew), and general operations.
- Product Sales (United We Sew): Handmade bags and clothing sold through the organization's shop, with proceeds supporting the Domestic Violence Program. Products are created by refugee women in the sewing program.
- Training Fees: 40-Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training program offered to the public ($150 general, $125 for partner organizations/students).
- Foundation and Government Grants: Funding from foundations (California Wellness Foundation, Conrad Prebys Foundation, Price Philanthropies, etc.) and government agencies (Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services, California Department of Social Services).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 40-Hour DV Advocate Training - General Public |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 40-Hour DV Advocate Training - Partner Organizations/Students |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Handmade Bags |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Handmade Clothing |
| Subscription | Monthly | Donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
License To Freedom product offering
Product offeringCore offering
License to Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides trauma-informed social services to refugee and immigrant communities. Its core programs span mental health counseling, immigration and family legal aid, housing navigation, youth programs, economic development, and family services. Beyond direct services, the organization also sells handmade products and delivers a state-approved 40-hour domestic violence training as discrete revenue-generating offerings.
Product overview
License To Freedom is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of trauma-informed social services for refugee and immigrant communities in San Diego. The organization provides six interconnected core service programs: Mental Health Services (counseling and therapy), Human Rights and Legal Aid (domestic violence support and legal representation), Housing Navigation/ECM (housing assistance and care management), Youth Enrichment Programs (mentorship and youth development), Economic Development including United We Sew (entrepreneur training and artisan products), and Family and Community Engagement (literacy, parenting, and women's programs). Additionally, the organization operates a retail shop selling handmade bags and clothing created by refugee women, and offers a 40-Hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training program. This is not a software product company—it is a service nonprofit with no technology platform components.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Project Hope: Emergency shelter program providing safe, furnished temporary housing for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Includes rent and utility assistance, food, case management, and support transitioning to permanent housing.
- United We Sew
- Fathers2Child Program
- Youth Ambassadors Program
Products and services
- Mental Health Counseling Trauma-informed mental health counseling provided to refugee and immigrant clients, including survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
- Legal Aid Services Immigration and family law legal aid for refugee and immigrant clients, including legal assistance related to domestic violence matters.
- Housing Navigation Housing navigation and placement assistance for refugee and immigrant families, including those fleeing domestic violence.
- Youth Programs Support and development programs tailored for refugee and immigrant youth.
- Economic Development Economic development programming for refugees and immigrants, including support pathways toward self-sufficiency and small-business activity.
- Family Services Family services for refugee and immigrant households, providing wraparound support alongside mental health, legal, and housing offerings.
- 40-Hour Domestic Violence Training State-approved 40-hour domestic violence training program offered to participants seeking DV-related certification and credentials.
- Handmade Products Handmade products sold (online and offline) as a revenue-generating line tied to the organization's mission.
Quantifiable outcome
- 25,000+ refugees and immigrants served since 2002
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use License To Freedom
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
License To Freedom technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
License To Freedom partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- California Department of Social ServicescoreState government agency providing oversight and funding for social services including refugee resettlement and domestic violence programs. LTF operates under grants from this agency.
- San Diego County District Attorney's OfficecoreLaw enforcement partnership providing referrals for domestic violence cases and collaborative response to family violence.
- San Diego Volunteer Lawyer ProgramcoreLegal services partnership providing pro bono legal assistance for domestic violence survivors seeking restraining orders and family law matters.
- El Cajon Police DepartmentcoreLocal law enforcement partnership for domestic violence response, safety planning, and community-police relations.
- Cajon Valley High SchoolcoreEducational partnership hosting after-school programs for Afghan high school students (Path to Success) and youth soccer activities.
- Somali Bantu Association of AmericacoreCommunity organization partnership for Youth Ambassadors program serving young leaders ages 16-24, particularly Somali Bantu youth.
- San Diego Workforce PartnershipcoreWorkforce development partnership providing employment resources, job placement support, and career center referrals for clients.
- San Diego Wellness CollaborativecoreHealth and wellness partnership providing resources and collaborative opportunities for mental health and community health programs.
- Kaiser PermanentemajorHealthcare provider partnership supporting health access and wellness services for clients.
- Grossmont Healthcare DistrictmajorLocal healthcare district providing health-related resources and support for community services.
- El Cajon CollaborativecoreCommunity collaborative partnership coordinating services and resources for El Cajon residents.
- Chicano FederationcoreCommunity organization partnership serving Latino/Hispanic communities in San Diego.
- Union of Pan Asian CommunitiescoreCommunity organization partnership serving Pan Asian communities in San Diego County.
- San Diego Refugee ForumcoreCollaborative forum of refugee-serving organizations in San Diego providing coordination and resource sharing.
- San Diego Youth ServicesmajorYouth services partnership providing resources and programs for young people in San Diego.
- Future Without ViolencemajorNational organization partnership providing resources and best practices for violence prevention programs.
- Public Health InstitutemajorPublic health organization partnership providing expertise and resources for health programs.
- San Diego County Bar FoundationcoreLegal foundation providing support for legal aid and access to justice programs.
- La Mesa Indoor SoccerminorSports facility partnership supporting youth soccer programs and recreational activities.
- CalVCB (California Victim Compensation Board)coreState victim compensation program providing resources and referrals for crime victims including domestic violence survivors.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
License To Freedom competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Casa Cornelia Law Center: San Diego-based legal aid nonprofit providing immigration, DV, and human-trafficking legal services to survivors. Directly comparable legal-aid component of LTF's Human Rights and Legal Aid program, serving overlapping client populations in the same region.
- Alliance for African Assistance: San Diego-based nonprofit serving African refugees and immigrants with case management, employment, youth, and mental health services. Direct regional peer to LTF with overlapping target populations (Congolese, Somali, East African) and similar community-based service model.
- International Rescue Committee (IRC): One of the largest U.S. refugee resettlement and humanitarian service organizations, delivering case management, mental health, legal aid, and economic empowerment to refugees and immigrants. Directly comparable to LTF's mission and service mix, but at significantly greater national scale.
- Center for Victims of Torture: National nonprofit providing trauma-informed mental health services to refugees and asylum seekers, with multidisciplinary teams including clinicians and case managers. Closely comparable to LTF's Mental Health Services program in approach and target population.
Regional players
- Jewish Family Service of San Diego: San Diego-based social services nonprofit offering refugee resettlement, mental health counseling, DV support, and case management. Comparable regional service breadth with similar government and foundation funding mix.
- Pangea Legal Services: Bay Area-based legal aid nonprofit serving asylum seekers and immigrants with legal representation, including DV-related matters. Comparable legal-aid mission focused on immigrant survivors, though operating in a different geographic market.
- San Diego Youth Services: San Diego-based nonprofit providing youth mental health, housing, and crisis services. Listed as a core LTF partner and operates overlapping youth-enrichment and trauma-informed programming for similar vulnerable populations in the same geography.
Broad incumbents
- Catholic Charities USA: National federation providing refugee resettlement, DV services, immigration legal aid, and economic support across the U.S. Overlaps heavily with LTF's wraparound service model and is referenced in LTF staff backgrounds; operates at much broader scale with diocesan/local-agency structure.
- Heartland Alliance (Refugee & Immigrant Community Services): National anti-poverty and refugee-services organization providing legal aid, case management, housing, and economic empowerment to immigrants and refugees. Comparable wraparound service model with broader geographic footprint and larger institutional funding base.
Others
- Kurdish Human Rights Watch / Kurdish advocacy organizations: Community organizations serving Kurdish refugee and immigrant populations, a primary demographic LTF serves through its founder and several team members. Adjacent/ecosystem peer that complements LTF's Kurdish-community work via advocacy rather than direct services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
License To Freedom social profiles
Digital presenceLicense To Freedom financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
License To Freedom leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
License To Freedom funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
License To Freedom M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about License To Freedom
What does License To Freedom do?
License to Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides trauma-informed social services to refugee and immigrant communities. Its core programs span mental health counseling, immigration and family legal aid, housing navigation, youth programs, economic development, and family services. Beyond direct services, the organization also sells handmade products and delivers a state-approved 40-hour domestic violence training as discrete revenue-generating offerings.
Is License To Freedom a public or private company?
License To Freedom is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was License To Freedom founded?
License To Freedom was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is License To Freedom based?
License To Freedom is headquartered in El Cajon, United States, in the North America region.
How does License To Freedom make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are product Sales (United We Sew), training Fees and foundation and Government Grants.
Who are License To Freedom's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Casa Cornelia Law Center, Alliance for African Assistance, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Center for Victims of Torture. Regional players are Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Pangea Legal Services and San Diego Youth Services. Broad incumbents are Catholic Charities USA and Heartland Alliance (Refugee & Immigrant Community Services). Kurdish Human Rights Watch / Kurdish advocacy organizations is listed as an others.
Does License To Freedom have an API?
No public API is recorded for License To Freedom.
What industry is License To Freedom in?
License To Freedom's product category is Refugee and Immigrant Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADADAH, Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid), with a secondary code of BPADAHAF, Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding). Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8111.