About Us - Sobre Nosotros - El Refugio / The Refuge

About Us - sobre nosotros

English: El Refugio is a Christian organization that improves the quality of life for all in Sanford and Lee County, North Carolina by building bridges between transitioning immigrants and established residents through sharing, learning, and serving our community together while respecting cultural identities.

ESPAÑOL: EL REFUGIO ES UNA ORGANIZACIÓN CRISTIANA QUE MEJORA LA CALIDAD DE VIDA DE TODOS EN LA AREA DE SANFORD DEL CONDADO DE LEE CREANDO LAZOS ENTRE INMIGRANTES Y RESIDENTES ESTABLECIDOS A TRAVÉS DE COMPARTIR, APRENDER, Y SERVIR CONJUNTAMENTE, RESPETANDO SUS IDENTIDADES CULTURALES.

Our Mission

To promote opportunities for interaction between cultures that encourage positive relationships based on sharing knowledge, hopes and experiences. To foster individual growth in Lee County by identifying people’s needs and talents, and finding the resources to develop them.

Nuestra Misión

Promover oportunidades para la interacción entre las culturas para fortalecer relaciones positivas basadas en el intercambio de conocimientos, esperanzas y experiencias. Fomentar el desarrollo de las persona en el Condado de Lee identificando sus talentos y necesidades, y encontrando los recursos para hacerlo.

English

Español

Our Team - Nuestro Equipo

Oscar Hernandez

Director Ejecutivo

Executive Director

Oscar Hernandez was born in La Libertad, El Salvador. He moved to the USA in 1999. Oscar holds both Associates in Business Administration and an Associates in Arts degree from Central Carolina Community College, where he was recognized as an outstanding student and leader. Oscar joined El Refugio as the Spanish class Instructor from fall 2014 through spring 2016, then founded the citizenship class. Even before becoming Executive Director in December 2016, he participated in El Refugio’s training retreats, translated for workshops, helped establish the collaboration with CCCC, recruited participants and volunteers, organized computer classes and much more.

Yesenia De Santiago "yesi"

Asistente Administrativo

Administrative Assistant

Yesenia De Santiago was born in Fort Meade, Fl. She is currently a Unit Secretary/Certified Nursing Assistant 2 at Central Carolina Hospital. She has been living in Sanford, NC since 1997 and has been with El Refugio since July, 2018. As the daughter of two Latino immigrants she is an activist in letting immigrants aware of their rights. She is one of the founders of NCDREAMers which keeps DACA recipients up to date on laws that affect DACA and TPS as well. In her free time she likes to spend time drawing and volunteering in the community.