The Community Impact Committee recently checked in with Lindsay LaPlante, Executive Director of Refugee Support Services. We listened with gratitude to the wonderful programs being offered in support of the refugees in the Charlotte area.
During our visit, we had the opportunity to visit the Knit Together Group (KTG) which meets every Thursday. KTG is a holistic program for women participants that focuses on income opportunities, language practice, workforce development skills, and community connections in a supportive environment. “It is a holistic program and it is designed to be workforce development, meaning that eventually some of the women will go off and be able to have their own jobs,” said program coordinator Annie Koch. “Our hope is that possibly with their skills, their knitting and crocheting, they’ll be able to start their own businesses. That’s what I would like to see.” The program was recently featured by WFAE.
Below are other ways RSS is supporting the refugee community:
Fruitful Friends Program: Refugees often simply want an American friend with whom they can practice their English, explore Charlotte, and help get answers about life in this new culture. Refugee Support Services pairs American volunteers — individuals, couples, or entire families — with refugee families who would appreciate the friendship and mentorship of local Charlotte residents.
Refugee Help Center: Refugees are encouraged to come to our Wednesday and/or Thursday Refugee Help Center sessions (10 am- 12 pm) to receive assistance with a variety of issues, such as: sorting through and understanding their mail, getting help making telephone calls to solve issues or make appointments, completing government forms, understanding their bills and payment options, learning self-sufficiency skills, receiving fresh produce, participating in family literacy opportunities, learning new crafts, and much more.
Self-Sufficiency Workshops: Some of the special workshops we sponsor/co-sponsor include Nutrition & Cooking, Home-Buying & Credit-Building, Voting Clinic, Financial Literacy, Family First Aid, Personal Hygiene, Home-Cleaning Tips & Techniques.
Love & Learn: Refugee Support Services provides refugee families with a safe, loving, nurturing environment — including an inside classroom and an outdoor playground — that promotes a love for learning and creative play. All are welcome during regular Refugee Help Center hours.
Special Events: Refugee Support Services sponsors many fun events for our refugee friends. Here are some of them: Annual 01-01 Refugee Birthday Party, Spring Fling, Swim Day at the J, Free Stuff Giveaway Day, and Ladies Tea Parties. In addition, we collaborate with other local agencies for some programs and events, such as World Refugee Day and Deer/Game Delivery.
