We envision
a world

where migration is seen as courageous, and is met with the supportive community, safety, and healing necessary to rebuild home.

Where

well-being and belonging are not defined by citizenship status, native language, or racial categorization.

We create systems that connect people to the resources they need, and mobilize institutions to eliminate barriers to access. Centering transformative relationships, we work at the intersection of social mobility, health equity, and language justice.

Language Justice

We use community-led design to disrupt threats to the health and safety of refugee and migrant communities.

 Individuals and communities have fundamental rights to language, culture, self expression, and equal participation. We challenge the English dominance and Euro-centric definitions of knowledge and leadership by investing time and resources in leadership development of Members, so that they can represent their community’s own priorities. And we alter institutions to provide space for full democratic participation.

Collective Care

It’s all about relationships. We believe in the enduring power of mutual aid, and build on the social and emotional support that exists within and across neighbors. We create and sustain transformative relationships, where both parties take care of one another. In addition to being wonderfully reciprocal, these relationships are grounded in a critical awareness of structures and legacies of power and oppression, so that we may experience radical companionship and solidarity – across lines of difference – in the here and now.

Societally, English improficiency is, historically and presently, a tool used for the political and economic exclusion and exploitation of migrant and refugee communities. English dominant environments undermine self-agency, increase isolation, and prevent public information from reaching non-English-primary speaking communities. We work to level the playing field by opening the door to public knowledge and idea exchange, establishing language autonomy, and building a body of data to evaluate practices within institutions.

Democratizing
the Commons

We dream in language, we sing in language, we think in language. It is tied to our lands, to our bodies, to our relationships, and to our knowledge. It is important that we feel respected as speakers—not just for what we have to say, but also how we say it.

Antena Aire

News & Stories

With misinformation soaring, it’s more important than ever that communities have reliable sources of information to count on. New Media Ventures has awarded 14 trusted messengers in key Southern and swing states to protect democracy - and RCP is one of them!...
The Bridge Builders (BB) program is an initiative implemented by Refugee Community Partnership (RCP), an organization that centers refugees. This program matches volunteers with refugee families in reciprocal relationships, facilitating integration and social support. Sixteen volunteers participated in semi-structured interviews...
In 2023, RCP grew to1,400 Members, protecting the safety and health of refugee and migrant residents here in central North Carolina. Through job advancement, advocating for raises, and securing more gainful employment, Members increased their household income by $428,000. By...
From Summer Camp, to Women’s Groups, to securing access to housing, healthcare, and career advancement, our RCP Family has supported more than 1,000 of our migrant and refugee neighbors rebuilding home so far this year....
On Monday, March 27, 2024, the Town of Carrboro passed the Town-wide Language Access Plan, developed with the Refugee Community Partnership (RCP) and the Building Integrated Communities program at the UNC Institute for the Study of the Americas. The Language...
RCP's VAULT (Voices for Advancement Until Language Transformation) is one of 10 awardees of the J.M. Kaplan Fund's Innovation Prize, designed to support change makers tackling America’s most pressing challenges through social and environmental innovation. “VAULT is pioneering a community-first...
We've been quiet the last few months, but only because we've been hard at work, and finally the time is here! It is with unbridled joy and electric excitement to share that, beginning July 1st, Daniella Runyambo, Meagan Clawar, Katherine...

We are a volunteer-driven organization that believes in the transformative power of relationship-based community organizing, and deliberate reciprocity.

Volunteer

As Bridge Builder volunteers, we work closely alongside RCP families to assist them in reaching their goals. Bridge Builders join a Neighborhood Pod, made up of other Bridge Builder volunteers and a Pod Leader. Pods are mini-support communities, where Bridge Builders join together to problem solve, share tips and resources, and celebrate successes. This is a unique and powerful experience for volunteers of all ages. While we prefer volunteers be able to commit for 2+ years, Bridge Builders involves a 1 year minimum commitment, visiting with families for ~4 hours per week, and participating in RCP’s regular community events.

Donate

Grassroots donations is the only way this work can happen long term. Join everyday folks in making donations to RCP to keep this work alive and sustainable! Make an online donation here (one-time or monthly!), write a check, share our Facebook fundraisers – the opportunities are endless 🙂

Support

Are you excited about the work we do? Do you enjoy leading the charge, and giving your time and expertise to a good cause? Consider becoming an advisor or board member to the Refugee Community Partnership. We need a wide array of talent and experience in order to build a powerful community. ‍ Do you have specific skills or talents you’d like to use to help RCP further its mission? If you are a photographer, website guru, social media strategist, journalist, graphic designer, multi-lingual speaker, or other specially skilled magician, consider volunteering your expertise