Youโve come a long way to get here. Itโs our job to support you in any way we can as you get settled. Weโve partnered with local organizations and nonprofits who share our values to provide you with the best available resources. Navigating a new place can be overwhelming, and we’re here to help. From understanding what services are available to you to preparing for citizenship testing how can we be of service to you?
(980) 263-9334
Call or text the Helpline and weโll point you in the right direction.
Education
For continued learning and social connection.
Education is a tool of empowerment that can facilitate intellectual growth while providing the necessary skills to navigate, contribute to, and thrive in Charlotte. RSS can help refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and special immigrant visa holders understand educational opportunities available to them.
Whether youโre looking for after-school programming, public schooling, trade training, or community college, these resources are a great place to start.
Resources
Employment
For income and economic independence.
Employment is a vital step towards establishing stability and autonomy in new surroundings, providing not only a necessary income resource but also a means to integrate and contribute to a new community. A steady job can also pave the way for social inclusion and networking. If you're interested in finding a new job, we can help you with your resume and get you connected with local companies that are hiring.
There are many resources in the City of Charlotte for job seekersโhere are a few!
Resources
Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency (CRRA)
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Health
For ensuring quality of life and social participation.
Access to health services is pivotal to protecting physical and mental well-being. Comprehensive health services not only address immediate medical needs but also facilitate ongoing health maintenance and mental health support, which are crucial for active participation in education, employment, and community life.ย
To consult with a doctor, dentist, or mental health professional, check out these local healthcare resources.
Resources
Charlotte Community Health Clinic
Housing
For security, stability, and community.
Housing that is safe, secure, and has working utilities and appliances is an important part of building your new life. A stable living environment is not just a shelter but a foundation upon which newcomers can re-establish routines and children can pursue education.
While RSS is not responsible for obtaining initial housing once someone arrives to the area, we are able to help navigate additional moves in the area.
To begin a housing search, explore affordable housing resources in Charlotte or connect with our local branch of Habitat for Humanity.
Resources
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Language & Culture
For self-expression and social connection.
Communicating and understanding the values of people from differing backgrounds is essential to cultivating a welcoming, inclusive community in Charlotte. Language and culture are a conduit for building the genuine social connections that we all need.
Here are a few resources to help you explore local language education and tap into Charlotteโs diverse and budding culture.
Resources
Central Piedmont Community College - English as a Second Language
Rights & Citizenship
For equity and participation.
These resources will help you understand civic rights, duties, and processes in Charlotte and the USA.
Resources
Safety & Stability
For comfort, peace of mind, and the pursuit of happiness.
Safety and stability are foundational to feeling comfortable. When people feel at peace with their surroundings and confident in their routines, they can build relationships and work towards self-improvement through education, employment, or volunteering in the community.
From our local police and fire departments to Charlotteโs Fair Housing Authority, many great organizations are working to keep our city safe.
Resources
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department
City of Charlotte - Fair Housing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
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Insta Highlights
Follow along @welcome.to.rss for all things RSS and @ktgrss to see the latest from our popular Knit Together Group!
Three cheers for the @wedgewoodclt International Holiday Bazaar! ๐๐๐
What an amazing day! We are so thankful to Wedgewood Social Justice Community and all those who came out to support our programs here @welcome.to.rss as well as our local refugee and immigrant community. There were so many talented vendors, delicious food, great music, and good vibes. A great time was had by all, and it was so wonderful to be part of such a special day.
Be sure to check out and follow these amazing vendors!
@nadasink
@elesq
@alisteele89
@marina.fascinate.studio
@spice_and_sugar_cookies
@charlotteforukraine1
@papercraftingwithamanda
@intlhouseclt
Pillows by Ashanti Munir
Moravian Stars by Thomas Hanson
Want to support our Knit Together Group but werenโt able to make it to the Bazaar? Itโs not too late! Weโll be at the following Shop for Good events this weekend!
Covenant Alternative Gift Market
Sunday, December 8th, 9am-1pm
Covenant Presbyterian Church
1000 East Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC 28204
@covenantpresbyclt
Providence Day School Winter Market
Sunday, December 8th, 2-4:30pm
Providence Day School; Brinkley Dining Hall
5800 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270
@providencedayschool
Thank you for helping us make Charlotte a more welcoming and inclusive place for all. โค๏ธ๐๐ค
#welcomerefugees #refugeeswelcome #supportrefugees #supportrefugeewomen #supportwomen #supportwomeninbusiness #supportwomenartists #supportimmigrants #supportlocal #supportlocalbusiness #supportlocalartists #shopsmall #shoplocal #supportsmallbusiness #givingtuesday #shopforgood #thankyou #beautyindiversity #strengthindiversity #womenaroundtheworld #charlotte #charlottenc #clt #queencity #allarewelcome #allarewelcomehere #bethechange
Itโs shopping time!! ๐๏ธ๐ Join us tomorrow (Sunday, Dec. 1) for the @wedgewoodclt International Holiday Bazaar! This event has been featured in a great article by @queencitynerve โlink in bio!
We will have our warm, cozy, and oh so cute Knit Together Group items, and there will be many other vendors from our local international community as well. Proceeds from this event support the international vendors directly, as well as our programs here @welcome.to.rss ! So come on out for a great time, all while supporting a great cause!
International Holiday Bazaar
By Wedgewood: A Social Justice Community
Sunday, December 1, 12-4pm
Refugee Support Services
3925 Willard Farrow Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215
#shopforgood #shopsmall #shoplocal #clt #charlotte #charlottenc #beautyindiversity #supportrefugees #supportrefugeewomen #supportsmallbusiness #allarewelcome #allarewelcomehere
On this day of Thanksgiving, we want to express how grateful we are to all the amazing people who have contributed to making our Knit Together Group here at Refugee Support Services possible. To our volunteers, donors, staff, mentors, community partners, and all of you out there who have shown us your love and support, we thank you. We truly could not do what we do without you!! โค๏ธ๐งถโค๏ธ
@welcome.to.rss
#thankful #supportrefugees #grateful
We had a wonderful time together at our KTG Thanksgiving potluck! We shared delicious food and friendship, and are so thankful to members of @sjbccharlotte and the Wool Whisperers Knitting Group for helping make this day so lovely.
No matter what is going on in the world around us, we are always thankful to be able to share, love, and grow together. โค๏ธ๐๐ค
@welcome.to.rss
#welcomerefugees #refugeeswelcome #thankful #beautyindiversity #strenthindiversity #womenaroundtheworld
Weโve been having lots of fun in Knit Together Group this fall! Since many people enjoy visiting local farms in autumn here in America, we decided to do a little barn dancing! Contra dance is a form of American folk dancing with European origins. Similar to square dancing, it is a social dance that became popular throughout Appalachia and other regions. Dancing is a great way to learn and practice vocabularyโleft, right, forward, back, 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8! And so much fun too!! ๐๐
@welcome.to.rss
#welcome #welcomerefugees #refugeeswelcome #refugeewomen #supportrefugees #supportrefugeewomen #womensupportingwomen #allarewelcome #allarewelcomehere #beautyindiversity #strengthindiversity #standwithrefugees #kindness #kindnessmatters #bekind #womenaroundtheworld #friendship #fallfun #autumn #dance #contradance #contradancing #culturalconnections
Come join us on December 1st at our @welcome.to.rss center for the third annual International Holiday Bazaar presented by @wedgewoodclt ! We will have all your must-have Knit Together Group items, and there will be many other local and international vendors as well. This will be a great opportunity to pick up some beautiful, unique, and meaningful gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. ๐๐งถ๐๏ธ๐๐
Sunday, Dec. 1, 12-4pm
3925 Willard Farrow Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215
Interested in being a vendor? Contact wedgewood.church@yahoo.com for more details. ๐
โI often say that I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls. I think realizing that youโre not alone, that you are standing with millions of your sisters around the world is vital.โ
~Malala Yousafzai
Join us.
@welcome.to.rss
#supportrefugeewomen #supportrefugees #refugees #supportwomen #womensupportingwomen #welcome #welcomerefugees #allarewelcome #allarewelcomehere #beautyindiversity #strengthindiversity #standwithrefugees #standforpeace #standforequality #standforjustice #standforfreedom #standfordiversity #peace #equality #justice #freedom #diversity #kindness #bekind #kindnessmatters #womenaroundtheworld #bethechange