BELONG NC empowers refugees to lead and engage in their communities through opportunities that promote education, employment, connections, and belonging. Driven by the belief that everyone belongs in the Community, we serve vulnerable populations by bridging education, language, opportunity, neighbors, and global awareness (BELONG). BELONG NC is an opportunity for the local community to collectively sponsor, partner, engage, and advocate on behalf of our global neighbors.

Through partnerships with local refugee resettlement agencies, businesses, universities, faith organizations, and community members like you, we aim to deliver accessible programs that support an intentional integration process for our immigrant neighbors. Our program focus includes preschool, job skills coaching, employment opportunities for primary caregivers, summer camp, and conversational English practice. Once these programs are established within a community, BELONG NC initiates the process of empowering those it serves to take ownership of programming and partnerships, as we believe that programs will be most successful if guided by those it has served.

By 2026, BELONG NC aims to have 50% of its board seats filled by the refugee and immigrant populations. At that time, our initial pilot site at The Smithdale Community Learning Center will also be operated for the community by the community, encouraging previous participants to take on leadership and employment roles within the organization.

We are excited to launch our first programs this summer at our Smithdale location in Raleigh, North Carolina. Please consider supporting us as we offer safe and educational early childhood programming to some of our newest and youngest neighbors. This year our campaign goal will cover the annual tuition for three children enrolled in preschool and summer camp programs. For more information about what we do and our long-term sustainability goals of serving and employing refugees, please visit BELONG NC

BELONG NC Kick-off Campaign

By BELONG NC

BELONG NC Kick-off Campaign

Everyone belongs