This section includes an alphabetical listing of resources our initial Welcome Teams and CARE Groups have curated. We welcome input on these listings to keep them up-to-date. These resources are focused on Durham County, NC. Please send updates to refugeeresettlement@judeareform.org. Advocacy Resources are in purple.
Use 5calls.org to find numbers and scripts specific to your location.
Sen Thom Tillis: (202) 224-6342 (Gen Counsel Seth Williford covers immigration)
Sen Ted Budd: 202-224-3154 (Isaak Fong covers immigration)
NC 04: Rep Valerie Foushee: (202) 225-1784 (Sarah Izaak covers immigration)
Defend and Recruit - an initiative of SiembraNC
SiembraNC Defend & Recruit Playbook (our version to be updated)
HIAS Action Guide (updated Jan 23, 2025)
HIAS Page "Refugee Rights & the Trump Administration"
Spreadsheet with KYR Resources in many languages from many sources: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QJ_pDXZ0_nfcxIKKA5GbdOYr53uuyZQ1HDVYxWoEHS0/edit?gid=0#gid=0
KYR Resources in Dari and Pashto https://pa.cair.com/pitt/cair-releases-know-your-rights-guides-in-dari-pashto-for-afghan-refugees/
Info designed for Muslim audience in several languages https://www.muslimsforjustfutures.org/blog/immigrationkyr
Church World Service: Recent executive actions that have halted refugee admissions and frozen federal funding to support refugees in our community have forced CWS Durham to furlough 2/3 of our staff. Volunteers are needed. For more info and to sign up to volunteer directly with CWS.
El Centro Hispano is the largest Latino-led organization in North Carolina, dedicated to supporting the Hispanic/Latino/Latinx community across Durham, Wake, Orange and beyond.
Emanuel Food Pantry in Durham provides fresh, nutritious food to families facing food insecurity, with a particular focus on underserved communities. By providing healthy food, we address the multiple detrimental effects of food insecurity, enhancing personal dignity, and improving health outcomes.Each week, Emanuel Food Pantry serves 600-700 families - a number that has been growing in 2025. Food Pantry volunteers (many of whom are JRC community members) sign up for and work two hour shifts. It is both fun and rewarding. Want to chat with a JRC volunteer? Jacob Boehm chairs the EFP Board and Carrie Norry serves on the EFP Board
SiembraNC is a Latine- grassroots organization focused "on defending our communities from abusive employers and landlords, ICE, and bad políticos.” SiembraNC is active in Alamance, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Orange, Wake, Randolph and Rockingham counties. Defend and Recruit seeks volunteers to help with activities including:
ICE watch
Running know your rights trainings for people who may be at risk of ICE detention
Running know your rights trainings for people who aren’t at risk of ICE detention (for service providers, people who live in immigrant neighborhoods, etc.)
Refugee Community Partnership (RCP) is a grassroots organization working in solidarity with 2,000+ migrant and refugee members rebuilding home in central North Carolina. RCP functions like a very large, very robust community. We believe in the power of relationships, and of moving mindsets of charity to mindsets of mutual aid and solidarity, making RCP a place where deep connection and belonging is felt within and across communities hailing from all over the world. Here, RCP Members and community residents contribute their time, skills, and passions to create a sustainable community support network, supporting each other and new families as they arrive. Volunteer through a specific program, or join our fleet of on-call volunteers who pitch in on all sorts of spontaneous things.
It is critical for newcomers to open a bank account as soon as possible (most banks require a social security number). A favorable account is one that has no or low fees for minimum balances, transfers, withdrawals, etc, as well as convenient and plentiful ATMs. Direct deposit should be set up as soon as the newcomer secures employment, as well as automatic bill pay. It is critical to examine requirements for minimum balance in an account (ideally $0), and number of withdrawals allowed each month (ideally unlimited).
Wells Fargo has been a positive place for newcomers. In particular, Omobola "Bola" Madugu at the N. Duke St branch has been wonderful. omobola.madugu@wellsfargo.com (last confirmed 2023). https://www.wellsfargo.com/
Latino Community Credit Union is a great resource for Spanish speakers https://latinoccu.org/
Self-Help Credit Union is another good resource. https://www.self-help.org/
NC Public benefits are accessed and applied for through ePass https://epass.nc.gov/ This should be a top priority for the first days of a newcomer's arrival. Regular follow up via phone, email, and in-person will likely be required. This should be done with the newcomer; not for the newcomer.
At Durham County Social Services, each of these programs is in a different office. Walk-ins are welcome as early as 7:30am. 414 E Main St., Durham 919-560-8000. https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/social-services
SNAP is the most critical to helping support a newcomer's budget. It covers food costs only. This is what is known as food stamps. The amount is based on family size and income. Regular re-application/verification is required. The money for SNAP is provide on EBT cards. The dollars rollover each month and the balance can be checked easily online. https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/social-services/family-economic-independence/food-nutrition-services
NC income limits for SNAP: Am I eligible for SNAP? | North Carolina income limits for SNAP (morefood.org)
TANF or Work First benefits are a lesser amount and require monthly check-ins with a social services social worker. Proof of employment, seeking employment efforts, kids enrolled in school, and language acquisition are required. https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/social-services/family-economic-independence
Medicaid is a lengthy application process and requires follow up. Once it is applied for, if the newcomer needs medical care, they can access it with "presumptive eligibility." A lack of Medicaid should not delay medical care. https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/social-services/family-economic-independence/medicaid
WIC (Women Infants and Children) is a program for pregnant women and children under 5 years of age. It is supplemental to SNAP. Rather than dollars, only certain food items in certain sizes are eligible. For example, a WIC benefit may be for a gallon of milk. The grocery store will have a WIC label indicating that it is the correct gallon of milk. Often a different size will not count and newcomers will be charged. For example, two 1/2 gallons of milk will not be covered by WIC - only the 1 gallon container. It is important to show newcomers how to find WIC products at the grocery store.
Lincoln Health offers dental services on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended that patients arrive BEFORE 7:30am to try and get seen that day at 1301 Fayetteville St, Durham, NC.
There are dental offices around town that will take Medicaid patients. Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry is one of them. Unfortunately, Medicaid does not cover root canals or many other procedures to repair teeth. It will cover extraction.
The UNC School of Dentistry is also an option for newcomers but the wait times for appointments can be long. If a patient does not have Medicaid, they will still see them and charge them based on a sliding scale commiserate with their income. Proof of income is required.
Orange County Social Services: 113 Mayo St., Hillsborough. (919)245-2800. No appointment needed. Open M - F from 8 am - 5 pm. Can pick up 1x/mo. For small diapers, two packages are given with 6 to 8 diapers per package. For larger diapers, one package is given with 5 to 7 diapers.
Urban Ministries of Durham: 410 Liberty St., Durham, NC 27701. 919-682-0538. Pickup Hours: MWF 1 p.m.-3 p.m.; TTH 9 a.m.-11 a.m. OR 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Please call Urban Ministries to confirm their hours.
Welcome Baby: visit their website for details. Additional child support services and items are available monthly.
Our employment team has put together this helpful document with some leads that have been useful in the past. Contact information is in the document.
Step Up Durham https://www.stepupdurham.org/ offers free employment readiness training, personalized job coaching, employer referrals, and supportive services to job seekers. Services are available to English speakers. Newcomers who used this program found it very helpful.
*It is important to teach newcomers to save their pay stubs and to understand how their income relates to their benefits. The pay stubs are required for applying and renewing benefits.
Iglesia Emanual Food Pantry on North Roxboro St. has a wonderful fresh food pantry each week. Volunteers can pickup for beneficiaries on Tuesday afternoons, or distribution line is Weds from 2-4pm. https://www.emanuelfoodpantry.org/
Several RRIJ members volunteer there weekly and can help get families on the pickup list.
Community Fridges and Pantry are outside St. Josephs' Church behind Whole Foods and outside of Part and Parcel near Shoppes at Lakewood.
Jewish For Good General Food Pantry pick-ups occur on the 4th Tuesday of the month, from 1-3pm by appointment only. RSVP required.
List of food pantries from End Hunger Durham: https://www.endhungerdurham.org/food-pantries/
TABLE: you must fill out an online application on their website or in their office at 311 E. Main Street in Carrboro. No appointment is needed and no documentation is necessary. The office is open M - Th 9 am - 5pm or Friday, 9 am - 1 pm. (919)636-4860. Food is delivered to your home (the delivery service is called TABLE @Home). HOWEVER, there is currently a waitlist. You can have a one-time emergency shop until you get off of the waitlist. They have non-perishables, fruits and vegetables. Eggs are available during the third week of each month.
The Community Market (Food Pantry) is at 110 W. Main St. in Carrboro, and is open from 10 am - 4 pm M - F. Call to schedule a pick-up time at 919-929-6380; then press 0.
Porch has a Food for Families Program. Located at 202 S. Greensboro St. Children must be attending Chapel Hill/Carrboro schools. Family must apply through the school’s social worker. Family must bring ID cards and their own bags for groceries at the Community Market. Family can come 1x/mo. and must call to make an appointment.
How to Schedule an Appointment with the Refugee Clinic
Newly arrived refugees in Durham must schedule a health screening with the Durham County Health Department's Refugee Clinic.
Note: The Refugee Clinic uses the UNC MyChart system, while Lincoln Health uses Duke MyChart. Request printed copies of your records after the appointment, as they can be difficult to access later.
How to Schedule an Appointment with Lincoln Health
Lincoln Health accepts some same-day appointments but typically requires scheduling in advance. They take adults and pediatric patients. They have multiple locations, including:
Main Location: 1301 Fayetteville St, Durham NC 27707
Lakewood Location: 2020 Chapel Hill Rd #28, Durham, NC 27707 [in the Lakewood Shopping Center]
Lincoln Health operates on Duke MyChart; ask the front desk for assistance in setting up an account.
Important: If there are school-aged children enrolling in school, remember to bring any school health forms for the doctor to fill out!
Finding affordable housing is one of the largest challenges for any newcomer. Ideal housing is safe, on a bus line, near a grocery store, and employment / school. It is important to exhaust and use all your personal and professional resources for this task.
Zillow can be a good resource. In many cases, a team member can use their network to find affordable rental units that fit the need.
Acorn + Oak has also been helpful. Particularly, Michelle Ketchum at michelle@acorn-oak.com.
Durham Community Land Trust may be a resource for future (waitlists may not make this effective for first time housing)
Each team should have a Language Line account through the HIAS Community of Practice. Here is the link to information:
NC ID https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/identification/Pages/default.aspx
AR-11 form: Everytime an immigrant moves until they are a US Citzen, they need to let USCIS know their address via the AR-11, or in their USCIS portal.
Legal status: Joe Furtick, the associate director of the immigration legal services at CWS Durham has been very helpful. While CWS does not presently file asylum claims, they are helping with filing I-485 documents for legal permanent residency (green cards). They have a fee structure that significantly subsidizes the USCIS fees. Please contact Joe for assistance. He also said that if family members are on medicaid, the family would qualify for fee waivers https://www.uscis.gov/i-912
Civil Surgeons:
It appears that Durham County Social Services may offer the i-693 exam/documentation (at least for Refugees) see:
The recommendation is to use Satyam Primary Care in Raleigh, 8851 Ellstree Lane Suite 201, Raleigh, NC 27617, 919-981-9898. As of November 2024, it costs $300 plus any tests required; $275 per person if part of CWS contract.
The Durham Literacy Center offers classes (starting on a regular semester basis) and also has some tutors for ESL
CWS Durham occasionally has space for newcomers who are not their clients (contact Melanie Duhon via Marian)
HIAS offers Welcome Corps families access to free Rosetta Stone licenses (contact liaison)
For Duke employees - get early access to pay: https://today.duke.edu/2024/03/new-program-gives-university-employees-early-access-pay
Spectrum has been a good provider for many of our families.
Others have chosen T-Mobile.
In all cases, efforts should be made to request low-income pricing.
Prior to school starting, it is important to help the family know how to:
alert the school if a student is sick
track the bus
Enroll Durham based students via New Student Enrollment page
DPS uses
Powerschool for parents to communicate and receive academic progress information
Canvas - for students to access assignments and resources
Edulog Parent Portal to track the bus for each student in real time
Planning for higher education
C-Step: https://admissions.unc.edu/apply/c-step/ The Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program, or C-STEP, is a pathway for community college students to transfer to and graduate from Carolina. Enroll in High School or from Community College.
Community college: https://www.durhamtech.edu/ offers many programs that lead to certifications and/or pathway to a four year degree.
Safe, reliable, and affordable childcare for children while parents are working is essential and in short supply.
In early 2024, DPS instituted a lottery (held in March and "winners" announced in April) for elementary school childcare the following school year. Be sure to be enrolled!
YMCA of the Triangle instituted a policy in mid September, 2024, that provides afterschool care for Refugee Children at no cost for the first year (maybe first school year) and at a sliding scale in the next year. This is for childcare as well. Ensure family children go to a school with an affiliated program that buses kids to the Y for aftercare, and that parents will be able to pick up on time. https://www.ymcatriangle.org/ (Create an account, more details to follow. This is breaking news on 9/12/2024)
Summer camps - often run on a week by week schedule and require transportation to a camp.
Durham Parks and Rec Camps https://www.dprplaymore.org/366/Summer-Camp
Durham Arts Council Camps https://durhamarts.org/dac-art-camps/#summercamp
Getting around on one's own is key to independence and self-sufficiency. Learning to ride the bus to and from work, school, the grocery store and other essential tasks is a critical task. Go Durham is the public bus system in Durham. At least one member of the team should ride the bus with family members a few times to locations they need to get to so as to help them build confidence in using it.
This website allows for you to get notifications when DMV appointments open up.
Residents who want to obtain a DMV credential but are not fluent in English may request an interpreter to assist them during their DMV transaction by:
+ Requesting an interpreter by contacting NCDMV online
+ Calling the NCDMV Call Center at (919) 715-7000 (open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays)
Public Bus in Durham: https://godurhamtransit.org/
NC first time driver license https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/default.aspx
Driver handbooks: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/handbooks.aspx
Judea RRIJ resource Purchasing a first car in the US: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZRveo0vHoZwN996Oik9eclsA0MGNx9KCi2AeeYq6ONc/edit?usp=sharing
Background Check: Welcome Corps uses Sterling to vet volunteers. If you have had difficulty with this, you are not alone! Welcome Corps created a guide about it. Use the link from inside the guide to get started.
Training Link: You will be prompted to create an account. The training is worthwhile, and will be useful to get grounded in the tasks at hand, mindsets, and approaches to working with people who have experienced trauma. Feel free to skip the discussion topics when doing the training and we will connect to review them all together. This document explains how to access your Certificate of Completion.
HIAS Community of Practice: This site has resources on a national level and connections with other private sponsor groups (and welcome circles) doing this work with HIAS from around the country.
Refugee Welcome Collective - resources for NC
Set up utilities in the newcomer's name! Even though it is easier and may seem cheaper, do NOT put them in your name. We recommend not setting up auto-pay to your account, but logging in with the newcomer and making payments with them (initially from a team member's credit card/bank, and getting reimbursed through our JRC process)
Leaders Marian, Carrie, and Lois are happy to help if you are unable to find answers here.
