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
Jane Harnell
Citizenship Education Specialist
Lama Moakel
Cultural Liaison
les soden
Tax Preparer/Navigator
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