Refugee Support Services

What Refugee Support Services does

Refugee Support Services (RSS), legally Refugee Support Services of the Carolinas, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the only post-resettlement agency in the greater Charlotte area, delivering a coordinated portfolio of 11 programs to refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and special immigrant visa holders. Core services include the Help Desk (in-person and helpline case assistance for translation, bill payment, government forms, and employment navigation), the Park & Pick Market (weekly free food distribution), Fruitful Friends (mentor matching), the Knit Together Group (women's artisan and workforce program with earned revenue from market sales), Love & Learn (early childhood enrichment), Youth Education, Workforce & Artisan, Citizenship Classes, and the Adult Education Program launched in February 2024. The organization also operates a secondary Adult Education site on Shamrock Drive.

RSS operates on a donations-based revenue model. Funding streams include individual donations, corporate and foundation partnerships (Bank of America, Foundation for the Carolinas, DoorDash Project Dash), in-kind contributions (estimated at approximately half of the organizational budget), electronic donations via Neon CRM and PayPal, and stock/IRA/planned giving. All services are provided free of charge. The organization is supported by 232 active volunteers contributing 4,900 hours in 2025 and staffed by roughly 12 to 20+ employees. RSS functions as a hub within a partner ecosystem of nearly 100 local organizations spanning health (Charlotte Community Health Clinic), housing (Habitat for Humanity), legal (International House Charlotte), education (Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library), and the primary referral partner Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency.

In 2025, RSS reported 2,031 participants supported from 48 countries of origin speaking 58 languages, with 1,713 receiving Help Desk services. The organization is working toward deploying over $2M annually across its programs. Geographic scope is limited to the Charlotte metropolitan area; there is no proprietary technology platform, no API, and no AI/ML components underpinning service delivery.

Name

Refugee Support Services

Legal name

Refugee Support Services of the Carolinas

Website

https://refugeesupportservices.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Refugee Support Services is a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the only post-resettlement agency in greater Charlotte, delivering 11 programs including Help Desk case assistance, food distribution, ESL, mentorship, and workforce development to refugees and asylees from 48 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Resettlement and Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Food Services (624210), Child and Youth Services (624110), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)

Keywords

• Refugee resettlement services
• Post-resettlement support
• Community integration programs
• ESL adult education
• Refugee social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Donations from individuals supporting the refugee resettlement mission
2. Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations and foundations who contribute to the organization's work
3. In-Kind Donations: Approximately half of the organizational budget comes from in-kind donations including items from Amazon Wishlist and other sources
4. Electronic Donations: Online donations via Neon CRM portal and PayPal
5. Stock, IRA, and Planned Giving: Donations from stocks, IRA distributions, and bequests with potential tax benefits

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Refugee Support Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free post-resettlement programs to refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and special immigrant visa holders in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area. Its portfolio spans direct service programs (Help Desk helpline, Park & Pick food market, Fruitful Friends mentorship, Knit Together Group, Love & Learn preschool, Youth Education, Workforce & Artisan, Adult Education/ESL, and Citizenship Classes) and a community navigation hub linking participants to housing, employment, healthcare, translation, and legal resources through nearly 100 local partner organizations.

Product overview

Refugee Support Services operates as a nonprofit organization offering a coordinated suite of post-resettlement support programs for refugees, asylees, and other displaced people in Charlotte, NC. The portfolio includes eleven distinct programs: Help Desk (in-person and helpline assistance), Park & Pick Market (weekly food distribution), Fruitful Friends (mentor matching), Knit Together Group (women's artisan and workforce development program), Love & Learn (pre-school enrichment), Youth Education Program, Workforce & Artisan Program, Adult Education Program (launched February 2024), Community Navigation Programs, Food & Community Information Programs, and Citizenship Classes. These programs work together to facilitate housing, employment, healthcare access, language learning, citizenship preparation, and cultural integration. RSS is the only post-resettlement agency in the greater Charlotte area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Help Desk In-person and remote helpline service providing refugees, asylees, and humanitarian parolees with assistance reading mail, paying utility bills, making phone calls, completing government forms, translation, and employment support. Served 1,713 participants in 2025. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am-1pm at the Charlotte headquarters, with remote support via phone/text helpline (980-263-9334) with 24-hour response.
• Park & Pick Market Weekly free food market distributing fresh fruits, vegetables, dried goods, and other items to refugee and displaced families in need. Operates every Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 AM at the Charlotte headquarters; 446 participants received food through the program.
• Fruitful Friends Mentor matching program that pairs refugee program participants with community members and local families for cultural exchange, friendly companionship, and local integration support. 133 participants spent over 4,050 hours with their Fruitful Friends mentors.
• Knit Together Group (KTG) Holistic women's program meeting weekly for refugee women to create knit and crochet items, with a focus on income opportunities, language practice, workforce development skills, and community connections. Products are sold at local markets and events.
• Love & Learn Pre-school enrichment program where refugee children and parents build literacy skills, create art, socialize, and learn from one another in a safe and structured environment. Operated in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
• Youth Education Program Educational support program for refugee youth meeting Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00am-12:00pm, providing after-school programming and educational resources.
• Workforce & Artisan Program
• Adult Education Program
• Citizenship Class

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,031 participants supported from 48 countries speaking 58 languages
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, important and minor.

• ourBRIDGE for KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located partner at the Aldersgate campus. ourBRIDGE provides services for refugee children and families, complementing RSS programs.
• Charlotte Mecklenburg LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership since 2009 facilitating weekly joint programming in the Love & Learn Program.
• Aldersgate LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization providing space at Aldersgate campus where RSS moved in 2022 to share a building with collaborators.
• Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency (CRRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary referral partner for incoming refugees needing post-resettlement support services.
• Galilee CenterimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSS moved in as a founding partner at the Galilee Center on Central Ave in 2015.
• Mecklenburg County Parks & RecreationimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to start the Taste of Home program in 2010.
• Albemarle Rd. Presbyterian ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted a temporary Help Desk program on Saturdays from 2012-2014.
• Bank of AmericaimportantGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation funding partner supporting RSS programs.
• DoorDashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProject Dash partnership for food delivery support.
• Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing ESL resources and adult education support.
• Charlotte Community Health ClinicimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare resource referral partner for refugees.
• International House CharlottecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmigration law clinic and conversation hours partner for language and legal support.
• Habitat for Humanity Charlotte RegionimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing resource partner for affordable housing connections.
• Wedgewood Social Justice CommunityimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on International Holiday Bazaar events featuring refugee vendors and crafts.
• Wool Whisperers Knitting GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity knitting group that participates in KTG events and potlucks.
• South Charlotte Baptist Church (SJBC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch community partner participating in KTG Thanksgiving events.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Church World Service (CWS): Faith-based organization running refugee resettlement and post-resettlement integration programs in multiple U.S. states. Provides similar wraparound services (housing, employment, education) to refugee populations and is a national peer to RSS.
• HIAS: Global Jewish nonprofit providing refugee resettlement and integration services across multiple U.S. cities. Offers direct post-resettlement programming (employment, ESL, case management) comparable to RSS and is one of the national refugee resettlement agencies.
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI): National nonprofit providing direct services to refugees and immigrants including resettlement, employment, education, and integration support. Operates programs comparable to RSS across multiple U.S. locations.
• ourBRIDGE for Kids: Co-located at the Aldersgate campus in Charlotte, ourBRIDGE serves refugee children and families with educational and community support programming. Directly comparable as a Charlotte-based refugee support nonprofit with overlapping target population.
• International House Charlotte: Charlotte-based nonprofit serving immigrants and refugees with immigration legal services, conversation/ESL hours, and cultural programming. Listed as a partner of RSS and directly comparable in mission and geography.
• World Relief: Christian humanitarian organization running refugee resettlement, ESL, employment, and case management programs across the U.S. Directly comparable in mission and service model to RSS, though at significantly greater national scale.
• Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency (CRRA): Regional refugee resettlement agency serving Charlotte, NC area. While CRRA focuses on initial reception and 90-day resettlement, RSS handles post-resettlement services, making them complementary direct peers serving the same refugee population in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Large international humanitarian organization providing refugee resettlement, integration, and post-arrival services across the U.S. Operates in many major cities and offers an overlapping suite of services including employment, education, and case management that mirrors RSS's program portfolio.
• Catholic Charities USA (Refugee Services): National network of Catholic Charities agencies providing refugee resettlement, case management, employment, and integration services. Operates as one of the national refugee resettlement agencies with local affiliates offering services comparable to RSS.
• Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte: Regional Catholic social services agency providing immigration legal services, refugee support, and broader social assistance across western North Carolina. Comparable as a Charlotte-area refugee support provider with broader social service scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCatUC0a2Aw6aAIgkKrYoLJA
• Facebookfacebook.com/RefugeeSupportServices
• Instagraminstagram.com/welcome.to.rss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/refugee-support-services-of-thecarolinas-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Refugee Support Services