Our mission is to coordinate and amplify the efforts of refugee and international newcomer-serving organizations in Cuyahoga County.
About Us
Our Story
The Refugee Services Collaborative (RSC) is the hub of collaboration, coordination, and creativity for organizations dedicated to ensuring the success of international newcomers—including refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, and other disadvantaged migrants—across Northeast Ohio.
Founded in 2011, the RSC was built on the strong connections among refugee-serving organizations in Greater Cleveland. Over the years, we have expanded our network, increased the range of clients served, and strengthened collaboration among local organizations. Through both challenges and triumphs, the RSC has remained a leader in uniting the region to support newcomers.
More than a decade later, our commitment to refugees, humanitarian parolees, asylees, immigrants, and other international newcomers remains unwavering. Northeast Ohio continues to be a beacon of hope for those seeking to build a new home, and the RSC is proud to be part of this legacy.
Through our vast network of nonprofit organizations, schools, healthcare providers, government leaders, and community advocates, the RSC has welcomed tens of thousands of refugees and newcomers to our community. Together, we are stronger—and that will never change.
Our Members
Our collaborative is led by a wide range of organizations, corporations, partners, and advisors. We are a community-led organization, which means that individuals and refugee-led organizations guide our work as Newcomer Advisors.
Join us and build community
From grassroots to government, philanthropy to workforce, if your work contributes to helping international newcomers in Cuyahoga County, you can join us.
Newcomer Advisors
Any individual with a personal connection to the refugee experience, or any refugee-led organization, doing grassroots work in their own communities. This advisory capacity is compensated.
Welcoming Employer Member
Any organization or business actively involved in welcoming refugees into the workforce.
Foundation Member
Organizations that provide direct services to the refugee community day in and day out, such as resettlement agencies, refugee-specific social service agencies and health screening providers.
Individual Member
Any individual with a personal interest in the work of the RSC and wants to actively contribute.
Community Member
Organizations that provide support services and/or are actively seeking to provide support services to refugees in addition to the general public, such as nonprofits, health care institutions, libraries, public agencies and community development corporations.
RSC Partner
Any organization or entity that is ineligible to pay dues to a membership organization or not interested in full membership but wants to be involved in the work.