North Carolina has been in the Top 10 resettlement states in the U.S for the last few years, and thatโs thanks in part to a large network of big-hearted volunteers. Are you interested in doing the work of building a more inclusive community? Do you believe in a Charlotte where everyone has a place to call home and the space to thrive? Us, too! Volunteer today to help us build welcome.
As a volunteer, you are:
- Supporting program participants as they transition into their new lives in the USA
- Providing support, mentorship, and resources alongside program participants and other volunteers
- Bridging cultures and fostering an understanding within our community
- Helping run events, workshops, and other initiatives to build welcome and belonging across the Charlotte metro area
- Enriching your own life with new experiences, cross-cultural insights, and lifelong friendships
- Educating yourself through trainings such as our free 30-minute Refugee 101 class
No experience working alongside refugees and other immigrants? No problem! We offer training and support for all our volunteers to help you feel confident and equipped in your role.
We have individual volunteer opportunities in all of our program areas during the week. Program areas include the Workforce & Artisan Programs, the Mentor Programs, the Youth Education Programs, the Food & Community Information Programs, the Community Navigation Programs, and special events.
Great question! Occasionally we have in-person opportunities for groups through special events and workshops. Collection drives, such as sourcing fresh produce for the Park & Pick Market or items for RSS Welcome Kits, are a great way for groups to get involved. For more information about current group volunteer opportunities, please email us.
No problem! We have special weekend events throughout the year and will send out emails with sign-up opportunities for those. We also have weekend opportunities for markets and events through our Knit Together Group program. Collection drives and item donation opportunities are also always a possibility as well.
Great news! There is no prior experience required. All in-person volunteers are required to complete a background check. Volunteers must be 18 or older to volunteer. Volunteers can also be 17 (with parental consent) or under 17 (with a parent or guardian present).
Yes, RSS occasionally accepts interns who are 17 or older. If you are interested in an internship, please send your resume and information about your internship program requirements to info@refugeesupportservices.org.
Awesome! You can place orders for RSS volunteer shirts here.
โ Coretta Scott King
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