2024 Impact Report
July 2023 - June 2024
Director's Note
Megan Shepard
Greensboro Office Director
There’s been so much change, excitement, and energy over these last several years at CWS Greensboro, and 2024 has proven no different! This past year has been full of growth and transformation. Since July 2023, we’ve onboarded 20 new team members, including much-needed, capacity-building positions in our immigration legal services department and a second licensed clinical social worker to increase the reach of our Wellness Program, which provides counseling, group therapy, and psycho-education support to refugees.
Last fall, our employment team underwent the large task of nearly doubling the number of people served under our Refugee Support Services program, which assists refugees with securing employment and obtaining self-sufficiency. We restructured our Housing Program to focus on relationship building, education, and outreach to potential housing partners and other housing stakeholders, while continuing to secure permanent housing for all newly arrived refugee families. This year, we have served over 3,000 immigrant children nationwide, stretching our impact as CWS Greensboro grows.
With support from our Refugee Community Organizer, refugee leaders organized a campaign to increase language access at the North Carolina DMV and to streamline teacher licensure for internationally trained teachers. This led to a successful Advocacy Day in Raleigh and the introduction of legislature at the North Carolina General Assembly.
Over this last year, we’ve witnessed so many successes - babies being born, refugees becoming U.S. citizens, unaccompanied children receiving life-saving immigration relief, refugees securing their first job, and others moving into a long-term career path. As we look to the year ahead, we celebrate 15 years since opening our doors in Greensboro! And we remain committed to the work before us, especially as we respond to the ever-growing migration crisis, the largest in history, and as we gear up for the November election. We could not do this work without the support of our community, and for that I am so grateful. Thank you for striving with us to create a world where everyone has food, voice, and a safe place to call home.
I look back and see my younger self looking up to me... I hope that my story inspires those in need of encouragement.
Our New Neighbors
Immigration and Resettlement
A Pillar of Strength
For Alliance, leaving Zimbabwe was a leap of faith to start a new life in safety. Greensboro, North Carolina, felt like a world away from her family, friends, and community. As she and her parents navigated a new, unfamiliar place, Alliance was determined to become a source of healing and care for others.
When Alliance arrived in Greensboro, she decided to take another leap—to enroll in a 3-month Certified Nursing Assistant course, guided by CWS Greensboro’s Communities Acting for Refugee Empowerment (CARE) team. In March 2024, Alliance took her state exam. “I knew I had to do something and kickstart my dream of pursuing a career in healthcare but the feeling of being inadequate pulled me back,” she reflected. When she passed her state exam, she received the boost of confidence she needed to apply for jobs. She received an offer to join the emergency department at a local Greensboro hospital. She is now working two jobs, and in her free time, she is dedicated to studying clinical practice and skills.
“At some point, I felt like giving up. However, the thought of me being the pillar of strength to my parents keeps me going. I look back and see my younger self looking up to me... I hope that my story inspires those in need of encouragement.”
Welcoming Refugees
CWS Greensboro welcomed 327 refugees from 16 countries into lives of freedom, hope, and opportunity in North Carolina.
Refugees welcomed
CountrIES
Economic Opportunity
Our Employments Specialists work with refugees and immigrants for up to five years after they arrive in the U.S. to support their personal career goals and their family's financial well-being.
Our services include federal and state funded programs that enable our team to support clients with a variety of employment related services, including English language classes, vocational training, budgeting, interview training, and application assistance.
Job Placements
Average Wage
CWS Greensboro client (right) participates in a practice job interview with Employment Specialist, Mariana (left).
[Volunteering with CWS] is really welcoming people to your community, being their friend, helping them make that transition.
Our Community
Volunteers
Refugees often arrive with little to no English, limited familiarity with U.S. culture, and no financial resources. Their resettlement journey is long and full of challenges. Our volunteers make their journey easier. Throughout the past year, over 50 volunteers helped our new neighbors practice their English over Zoom calls, integrate into their new communities, and set up 61 new homes!
Volunteers
Home Set-ups
CWS Greensboro volunteers and staff at a volunteer appreciation lunch.
Being able to offer somebody the privilege of legal representation without the cost… it’s a big thing.
Our Work
Immigration Legal Services
Immigration Applications
New Citizens
NC-Immigrant Solidarity Fund
The NC-Immigrant Solidarity Fund (NC-ISF) is a statewide, grassroots effort to support undocumented and mixed status families facing financial hardship due to a recent ICE detention & deportation, emergency, or natural disaster.
