Wildlife and nature

Animal shelters and rescues

Theater and dance

Rivers, parks and trails

Hunger and food

Schools and learning

Housing and homelessness

Community health

Mental health

Mentoring and foster care

Legal help and rights

Jobs and money help

Atlanta

The Triangle

Everywhere

The Collective Workshop

Royal Animal Refuge

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta

Georgia Advancing Communities Together

Atlanta Writers Club

Cobb Collaborative

Bosleys Place

Jewish Fertility Foundation

City of Refuge, tax-exempt since 1996, runs programs including Affordable Housing, City Kids, City School Atlanta, COR Kitchen and Eden Village, and reported about $22.9 million in revenue for tax year 2023.

This Month IN The Hub

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Events at City of Refuge

Bruce Deel

Dr. Kelsi Franco

Bill Moran

Scott Steiner

Edward Phillips

Greg Washington

Andrea Hall

Darrell Rice

Jeff Deel

Dr. Malika Washington

Jeannie Ross

Betsy Huey

Nellie Nazario

Matt McGee

Joseph Smith

Charles Wilbanks

Sarah Jane Foley

Abigail Baughns

Michael Mathis

Gabe Franco

Michelle Taber

Ellie Holcomb

Last month, runners and supporters gathered for the inaugural Old 41 Run 5K, hosted by the Burton and Matthews families in support of City of Refuge. The race took participants along historic Old 41 Highway at the base of Kennesaw Mountain, raising nearly $30,000 to support individuals and families on their journey from crisis to stability! 🧡👟 For Lydia Burton, one of the event’s organizers, the race was about more than crossing the finish line. It was an opportunity to turn her passion into a lasting impact. “City of Refuge has given me a way to take what I was passionate about and serve the community practically. I can serve with confidence, knowing that with their partners, City of Refuge is truly changing lives. A verse I think about often says to ‘Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things’ (Colossians 3:2). What is important to me is making a lasting impact for the people who need it, and my prayer is that you will partner with City of Refuge and us in doing the same.” A huge thank you to the Burton and Matthews families, Aspen Collective, C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, and everyone who ran, volunteered, and supported this special event! The generosity of our partners and supporters makes transformation possible.

November schedule for the Workforce Innovation HUB at City of Refuge! Reach out to Chianti Harris (charris@cityofrefugeatl.org) with any questions!

All treats, no tricks! 🎃👻🍬 Our Trunk or Treat last night was a blast! More than 400 volunteers, students, families, and community members came together for a night of fun and festivities. From candy and games to creative decorations, we’re so grateful to everyone who showed up and helped make the night special! The Halloween fun continued today as our preschoolers and K–2 students paraded around campus in their costumes and trick-or-treated with different areas of our programming! We hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween! 🧡

WITH. One word that reflects the heart of everything we do at City of Refuge. Inspired by 1 Samuel 26:6, WITH reminds us that lasting transformation doesn’t happen from a distance. It happens when we show up and walk alongside one another. Through crisis and toward stability. Through learning new skills, finding meaningful employment, securing housing, and building a brighter future. Because transformation is not just about where someone ends up. It’s about who walks with them along the way. Thank you for walking with us in this mission. Whether you give, volunteer, partner, or simply share our story, you are helping bring light, hope, and lasting transformation to individuals and families in our community. We couldn’t do this without you! 🧡

At The Gathering 2026, we had the honor of sharing the stories of Stephanie and Kevin, two incredible individuals whose journeys reflect the heart of City of Refuge. Their stories remind us that transformation is possible when compassion meets opportunity, and when we walk with others. Thank you, Stephanie and Kevin, for your courage in sharing your stories and for reminding us what hope looks like in action. 🧡

What an incredible night! Last night, we gathered for The Gathering 2026, and we are still celebrating the generosity, community, and hope that filled the room. From powerful stories of transformation to an unforgettable performance by Ellie Holcomb, it was a beautiful reminder of what is possible when we come together. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we raised over $1.3 million to continue bringing light, hope, and transformation to individuals and families moving from crisis to stability. But the impact doesn’t have to end there! Thanks to our generous partner, Gas South, donations made toward The Gathering will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000! That means your gift today can go twice as far in supporting individuals and families on their journey toward stability and independence. Visit cityofrefugeatl.org/gathering or the link in our bio to donate a matched gift! 🧡

We had the best morning at Fall Fest! 🍂🎃 Our preschoolers and City Kids campers spent the morning decorating pumpkins, petting animals, bouncing around, and playing games with friends.

A little costume can bring a whole lot of joy! 🎃🧡 Halloween is right around the corner, and we need your help making it extra special for the kids in our community! Through our Halloween Happiness campaign, we’re raising funds to provide costumes so every child can join in the fun, get creative, and make sweet memories along the way. 🍬✨ There’s still time to help us spread Halloween Happiness! Give today through the link in our bio or visit give.cityofrefugeatl.org/halloween2026! 🧡

Closing out Q3! 🧡 From the start of school and new beginnings to individuals finding stable housing, securing employment, and taking steps toward brighter futures, we had so much to celebrate this quarter! Thank you for being part of the transformation happening every day at City of Refuge. Visit the link in our bio to explore our full Q3 Impact Report, including inspiring stories of hope, resilience, and transformation!

October schedule for the HUB at City of Refuge! Reach out to Chianti Harris (charris@cityofrefugeatl.org) with any questions!

Give the gift of Halloween happiness 👻🎃 For many of our 150+ preschool and elementary students, a costume is out of reach without the support of generous donors like you. With your support, we can make this holiday inclusive, joyful, and unforgettable for every child in our care. Their smiles and excitement start with YOU! Donate through the link in our bio 🔗

We’re excited to announce that Ellie Holcomb will take the stage at The Gathering 2026 on Wednesday, October 21 as we celebrate the City of Refuge community through powerful stories of transformation, incredible food, and live music! An award-winning Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Ellie is known for her deeply personal songwriting and songs of hope, faith, and resilience. Her music has connected with audiences across the country, and we can’t wait to welcome her for this special evening. General admission tickets, patron tickets, and sponsorships are now on sale through the link in our bio or at cityofrefugeatl.org/gathering 🧡✨

This week is Diaper Need Awareness Week, and at City Kids Preschool, we know just how essential something as simple as a clean diaper can be. 🧷🍼🧡 For families working toward stability, having these essentials means one less expense to worry about while they focus on employment, job training, stable housing, and their next steps forward. With 1 in 2 U.S. families struggling to afford enough diapers, your generosity can help lift that burden. In honor of Diaper Need Awareness Week, help us stock City Kids Preschool with diapers and wipes and care for our littlest learners and the families who love them. Donate through the link in our bio to help stock our classrooms! #diaperneedawarenessweek #cityofrefugeatl

Yesterday, we celebrated an incredible milestone as women from our Eden Village housing program graduated and stepped into their next chapter! 🎓🧡 This moment represents so much more than a graduation—it reflects months of hard work, perseverance, growth, and courageous steps toward stability and independence. We are incredibly proud of each of these women and honored to have walked alongside them on their journeys. Join us in celebrating all they have accomplished and all that lies ahead! ✨

Yesterday, we hosted our Golf Classic at Golf Club of Georgia! The day was more than just a great round of golf; it was an opportunity to provide light, hope, and transformation to individuals and families transitioning out of crisis. We are excited to share that together we raised $201,090!

Today, City of Refuge celebrated the ribbon cutting at “The 1343,” our new 37,000-square-foot Transformation Center, marking a significant step forward in revitalizing the 30314 community. This three-story facility will expand access to critical resources, including 25 units of affordable housing, a fresh market, mental health clinic, community bank, and an entrepreneurship and business incubation hub. We were honored to welcome Atlanta Mayor @andreforatlanta to lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside community leaders, partners, and supporters. This project represents the power of collaboration and a shared commitment to creating pathways to stability, opportunity, and long-term transformation. We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners and supporters, including @chickfila, @invest_atlanta, @genuine.parts.company, @delta, @truist, @ga_power, @peachstatehp, @cfgreateratlanta, @deltacommunity, @fhlbankatlanta, and the Chesnut Family Foundation, along with the many individuals and foundations whose generosity made this milestone possible. Thank you to City of Refuge leadership, our Board of Directors, and Capital Campaign Committee for their vision and stewardship. Today is an exciting day — and a powerful step forward for our community.

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