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Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County

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Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County

The RRCLC is working with Catholic Community Services to welcome and support refugee and asylum seekers within Lane County.

The Refugee Resettlement Coalition of Lane County (RRCLC) is a coalition of faith-based groups, service organizations, and people from the Eugene-Springfield community coordinating with Catholic Community Services of Lane County (CCS) to welcome and support refugees resettling in Lane County. The all-volunteer RRCLC has provided support to local refugees since May 2016.

06/04/2026

RISP PROGRAM UPDATE

Spring has been a busy season for Catholic Community Services’ Refugee and Immigrant Services (RISP) team! Here are a few of the highlights from our work in recent weeks:

📱Hands-free, real-time, on-the-job interpretation: through a pilot project grant from Lane County, our RISP Employment Team has started testing out the use of iPhones and earbuds to improve employee-employer communication across languages. The project uses the native iPhone “Translate” app, available for Spanish, French, and several other common languages.

🚸 Life skills education for refugee children: in addition to high-impact tutoring in English and math, the older children participating in our weekly group sessions recently took part in a workshop on online safety, provided by Ophelia’s Place, a youth-focused nonprofit.

🚴 54 bikes given to CCS clients: local organization Shift Community Cycles and their Free Bikes 4 Kidz program featured Catholic Community Services for an April bike giveaway, refurbishing and providing bikes and accessories for dozens of RISP and Supportive Services clients.

💸 Financial relief for households impacted by ICE detentions and deportations: RISP has now connected 14 households with support, which includes a mix of rental, utility, and food assistance depending on need. Funds for this work have come from the Lane County Commissioners and from generous community members donating to our ICE Impacted fund.
You can donate to this fund here: https://shorturl.fm/K6NGz

06/02/2026

MATH TUTORS AND ELD TEACHERS NEEDED

We are seeking a few special volunteers to support our refugee children tutoring program and we are hoping you might know just the right people!

We're looking for two to three volunteer tutors with confidence and experience teaching math at the 4th through 8th grade level, and one volunteer tutor with English Language Development (ELD) teaching experience. Teaching experience is especially valued for these roles, as our students benefit greatly from working with someone who understands how to reach learners at different levels. Tutoring takes place in group settings, as well as one-on-one, and volunteers are welcome to share their preference for either format.

This is a wonderful opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact on children who are working hard to succeed in school. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Elene Gleason at [email protected] or 541-953-0930.

05/31/2026

World Refugee Day! Come Celebrate with Us!
Saturday, June 20, 12-4pm

Every year, communities around the world pause to honor and celebrate the resilient, courageous, and inspiring people who have rebuilt their lives in new places. On Saturday, June 20, we invite you to join us and other community partners in doing just that right here in Eugene.

Our annual World Refugee Day event is a free, family-friendly celebration open to immigrants and allies alike. Whether you are deeply connected to this work or simply curious and want to learn more, there is a place for you here. Bring your family, your friends, and your neighbors. The more the merrier!

If you have joined us in years past, get ready because this year we are bringing some new energy to the event! While in past years, presentations and speakers have been a focus, we are excited to share that this year's event will be more activity-based and interactive, with more opportunities to engage, connect, and participate in meaningful and fun ways throughout the afternoon. We cannot wait for you to experience it!

World Refugee Day Saturday, June 20th | 12:00 to 4:00 PM | First United Methodist Church | 1376 Olive St., Eugene | Free to attend | Food available for purchase

👉 Want to Volunteer for World Refugee Day?

If you would like to pitch in on the day of the event, we would love your help! There are many ways to get involved, including setup, supporting children's activities, helping Spanish or Dari speaking guests navigate the event, greeting attendees, and more.

We hope to see you there! It is going to be a wonderful day! If you have any questions about the event or would like to volunteer, please reach out to Elene at [email protected] or at 541-953-0930.

05/30/2026

🗨 HELP SOMEONE BE HEARD: Interpreters Needed 💬

Imagine arriving in a new country where you do not yet speak the language. Everyday tasks like scheduling an appointment, asking an important question, or understanding the next steps for your family can suddenly become very difficult. For many newly arrived refugees in our community, language barriers can make everyday interactions challenging.

We're looking for volunteers who speak Farsi or Dari to help interpret for clients as they navigate important appointments and services, and to support learning with one-on-one tutoring. Volunteer interpreters play a vital role in helping newcomers feel understood, supported, and welcomed as they begin building their lives here.

If you are fluent in Farsi or Dari and would like to use your language skills to make a meaningful difference for refugee families, we would love to connect with you.

Interested in any of these volunteer or donation options? Please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Elene Gleason at [email protected] or 541-953-0930.

05/28/2026

TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT for Refugee Children Clients

We need transportation support for our refugee children clients this summer, primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays for tutoring sessions and field trips.

For the safety of our clients, each vehicle must have two adults present for all rides. If you have a friend who would enjoy volunteering alongside you, this is a perfect opportunity to do it together! No friend available? No problem! We will match you with a buddy. And if you do not drive or do not have a vehicle, you can still participate as a passenger buddy. Your presence in the car matters just as much.

Drivers will need to be approved through our program. Not sure if you are already approved? Reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Elene at [email protected] or 541-953-0930 to help you get started.

If you're interested in driving or riding along as a buddy this summer, please let us know and we will keep you posted on specific opportunities as they come up!

05/26/2026

DONATE RAFFLE PRIZES for our Summer Tutoring Program

Help us keep the kids excited about summer tutoring! We're looking for donations of fun raffle prizes and incentives to give away each week to students who attend our summer tutoring sessions. We're hoping to collect gift cards and donations from local businesses like ice cream shops, clothing stores, children's activities, and anywhere else that would put a big smile on a kid's face. Every little prize goes a long way in keeping our students engaged, motivated, and showing up!

If you have connections to local businesses or would like to donate something yourself, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Elene Gleason at [email protected] or 541-953-0930.

And as always, feel free to share this with your network. You never know who might be able to help!

05/24/2026

Don't miss this - one week from today!

FUNDRAISER for RISP & OCAN
Sunday May 31 - 5-8 p.m.
Hybrid Gallery & Event Space
941 West 3rd Ave, Eugene

Sponsored by local pro-democracy group Indivisible Eugene-Springfield, the Solidarity Social is a benefit to support our immigrant neighbors being unfairly targeted in these troubling times. All proceeds will go to two wonderful local organizations doing crucial immigrant support work: Oregon Community Asylum Network and Catholic Community Services' Refugee and Immigrant Services Program.

We'll have food trucks serving affordable international fare, a no-host bar, a silent auction featuring finely crafted items from area artisans, and for the kids (and kids at heart), a silent disco and other age-appropriate activities.

Our entertainment features an eclectic mix of reggae, jazz, folk, and funk bands, each bringing their own special sauce to our community buffet, as well as Ballet Folklorico Colibri, a local troupe of young dancers carrying on the time-honored tradition of Mexican folk dance.

So come be a pillar of your community and help us prop our neighbors up.

Tickets: Sliding Scale $10-$30; kids under 12 free

https://www.thehybrideugene.com/events/p/solidarity-social

05/22/2026

💐 Christine Zeller-Powell: Pro Bono Champion Award! 💐

Over eight years ago, Christine Zeller-Powell began serving refugees and immigrants as a part-time volunteer, long before RISP was even established at CCS. In May 2018, she became RISP’s very first part-time employee and immigration attorney — and the rest is history.

Christine’s unwavering commitment, resilience, and determination through challenging times continue to inspire all of us to persevere and keep moving forward. Her passionate leadership and advocacy for refugees and immigrants are recognized not only throughout Lane County, but across Oregon as well.

Christine was recently selected for a pro bono champion award by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Oregon Chapter!

Through Christine’s vision, experience, knowledge, and deep love for this work, RISP has grown into a team of 14 dedicated staff members, impacting thousands of immigrant lives since its inception and helping create a stronger, more welcoming, and more diverse community for us all.

CCS is incredibly fortunate to have Christine as a leader, and we are deeply grateful to know her as a colleague, mentor, and friend.
Christine Zeller-Powell: Pro Bono Champion Award!

05/21/2026

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS NEEDED
To support our extended case-management families, the Material Donations Team is seeking the items listed here.
Can you donate any of these? If so, send an email to Jane Kitterman-Collins, [email protected]

• Loveseats
• Living room chairs
• Kitchen tables
• Kitchen chairs
• Small dressers
• Bowls for cereal, soup, etc.
• Silverware
• Twin sheets, new or gently used
• Queen sheets, new or gently used
• Mattress pads, twin and queen
• Drinking glasses for adults
• Drinking glasses for kids

If you can donate any of the household items listed above, please send an email to Jane Kitterman-Collins, [email protected]. Our families thank you!

05/14/2026

🌎SAVE THE DATE - World Refugee Day - June 20🩷
Help Us Celebrate Community and Belonging
Volunteers needed

This World Refugee Day, join Catholic Community Services of Lane County for a free, family-friendly event honoring the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees and immigrants in our community.

Come connect, learn, and celebrate alongside neighbors, volunteers, and local organizations who are helping make Lane County a place where everyone belongs.

✨ Because building a new life takes more than services — it takes community.
And that's where you come in.
📅 June 20, 2026
⏰ 12–4 PM
📍 First United Methodist Church (1376 Olive St, Eugene)
🔗 Learn more: www.ccslc.org/wrd-2026

👉 Volunteers needed to help with this event - there are many ways to help!
Let's show up, stand together, and celebrate the power of community.
If you are interested in volunteering contact Volunteer Coordinator Elene Gleason at [email protected] or 541.953.0930.

Address

Springfield, OR
97477

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 7pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Website

http://www.rrclc.org/events.html

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