Who We Are

About the Refugee Support Center

Founded in July 2012

Recipient of the 2016 NC Peace Prize

The Refugee Support Center (RSC) is a 501 (c)3, volunteer-based organization established to facilitate the transition of local North Carolina refugees to a new life in our community by providing them services, helping them access resources, and developing their skills to promote self-sufficiency. Annually RSC serves approximately 1000 refugees, primarily from Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Syria.  We also work with people from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Iraq, Rwanda and Ukraine. Most of those we serve live in Orange County, but we are able to work with refugees from surrounding counties on a case-by-case basis.

Our Board of Directors

From left to right: San Mya, Flicka Bateman, Samuel Rushombo, Christine Wai, Celia Paung, Say Gay, Wa Hi Da, Chaw Chaw, Djondwe Rugabo. 
Absent from photo: Barnabas KiNing, Julia Ehpaw, Laylai Wei, and Mai Mai.

Our Staff

Flicka Bateman

Director

Sunny Chew

Volunteer Coordinator

Email me HERE

Henry Lister

Outreach Coordinator

Email me HERE

Sam (Shashi) Rao

Employment Specialist

Email me HERE

Jane Harnell

Citizenship Education Specialist

Lama Moakel

Cultural Liaison

les soden

Tax Preparer/Navigator

 

JILL GRANT

Legal Access Facilitator

Email me HERE

Thagyan Moe

Office Assistant Burmese/Karen Interpreter

simon Lamh

Distribution Captain

Our Interpreters

Interpretation is available either by phone or in person. We have interpreters who speak Arabic, Burmese, French, Karen, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili. Not all interpreters are available during all office hours, so calling for an appointment for Arabic or Swahili is advised.

Eh Moo

Karen & Burmese

Eh Paw

Karen & Burmese

Celia Paung

Karen & Burmese

hadia zahrawi

Arabic

djondwe rugabo

Swahili & Kinyarwanda

Mujanama Elie

Swahili & Kinyarwanda