Local nonprofit reflects on local and national impact, looks toward a future of “Building Together”
This year, City of Refuge is celebrating its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of bringing light, hope, and transformation to Atlanta’s historic Westside. Over the past 25 years, City of Refuge has served over 25,000 people transitioning out of crisis through an impactful combination of on-site programs, nonprofit and corporate partnerships, and community reinvestment. This year’s theme is “Building Together,” focusing on the organization’s history of providing solid foundations for Atlanta’s neediest residents.
“For 25 years now we’ve been building something incredibly special on the Westside of Atlanta, where we strive to do everything with a level of excellence and passion that shows people they belong,” said Bruce Deel, President and CEO of City of Refuge. “Together with our partners, donors, employees and residents we have built a foundation that is unique to Atlanta and impactful across the country, and we look forward to expanding to bring light, hope and transformation to more places in more ways.”
Through supportive services fueled by innovation and collaboration with their onsite partners, City of Refuge seeks to lead individuals and families to self-sufficiency by focusing on four key impact areas: health and wellness, housing, vocational training and youth development. Longtime partners include Chick-fil-A, Delta Airlines, NAPA Auto Parts, UPS, Elavon, EY and Cox Enterprises. New sponsors for 2022 include Amazon, Foot Locker, Georgia Aquarium and The Chestnut Family.
- 180* Kitchen prepares and serves three hot and healthy meals per day, every day, for residents, employees and guests.
- Mercy Care Clinic provides medical, dental, vision and mental health services.
- The Workforce Innovation Hub prepares unemployed and underemployed individuals to find meaningful employment in manufacturing, automotive technology, banking, culinary, information technology and security.
- Eden Village provides bridge housing, case management and supportive services for single mothers with children and homeless women.
- House of Cherith provides safe housing and supportive services for women recovering from sexual exploitation.
- City Kids Preschool is a full-day childcare program for children ages six weeks to five years.
- City Kids is an afterschool program and summer camp for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
- The City Club is an afterschool, summer camp and basketball program for students in six through twelfth grades.
- Bright Futures Academy provides private education for over 100 middle and high school students from the surrounding Westside community.
- J17 Scholarship Fund is an Educational Expense Assistance Fund that provides financial assistance to minority students choosing to attend college, university or technical school upon graduation from high school.
The City of Refuge is investing in real estate to create affordable housing opportunities in an area where displacement due to gentrification poses a threat to legacy residents. City of Refuge partners with Westside Future Fund to provide affordable housing through The 1300, a 47-unit affordable housing community located directly across from the City of Refuge’s campus. The 345 (formerly The Danzig Motel) will soon be transformed into a 31-unit community that will serve veterans and citizens returning from incarceration, men overcoming addiction, and men ages 18-24 working full time or currently enrolled in one of City of Refuge’s vocational training programs.
Last year, City of Refuge was awarded a $5.4 million grant from the United States Department of Labor for the Tech Transformation Academy (T2 Academy), which was used to launch a tech-focused job training program for web development and cyber security at no cost to students. In partnership with Atlanta-based DigitalCrafts and the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College, City of Refuge plans to recruit and train over 280 individuals over the next four years.
For those interested in the auto industry, the NAPA Auto Center at City of Refuge hosts a 16-week automotive technician training program that introduces students to basic concepts and technical training in automobile mechanics. After the program is completed, City of Refuge assists its graduates with job placement.
City of Refuge has also opened a new location of the Atlanta Breakfast Club on their campus, which operates a 15-week culinary arts program led by co-owners Anthony Sanders and O. Osiris Ballard. Good Food & Company Culinary School of Arts teaches its students food production skills and industry management in a state-of-the-art kitchen. After graduating its first class in December 2021, City of Refuge assisted in placing students into jobs within the food service industry.
For more information on City of Refuge’s upcoming plans, visit cityofrefuge.org and follow along on Facebook and Instagram to hear 25 stories of light, hope and transformation in celebration of the 25th anniversary.
About City of Refuge
City of Refuge was founded in 1997 with the mission to transform the lives of individuals and communities in Atlanta and beyond. Today the organization resides in a warehouse that was graciously donated in the 30314 neighborhood, one of the poorest and most crime-ridden areas in the nation.
Since inhabiting the warehouse, City of Refuge has served over 25,000. The organization has created several programs designed to impact housing, youth development, health & wellness, and vocation. The City of Refuge is a leader in social transformation and continuously works to empower and equip individuals with the tools to succeed.
