2020 Stories of Transformation

JOB TRAINING

Job skills and vocational opportunities are essential for those that are coming out of places of crisis. The individuals we serve through our job training programs are all under or unemployed and have faced barriers to earning a livable wage that will help them provide for their families. 

Because of your support, we remove those barriers and provide opportunities through job training, job fairs, resume writing, interview best practices, leadership development, and much more. 

Even with the setbacks COVID-19 caused individuals getting jobs, we’ve been able to place over 335 people into jobs this year!

Our Tech Academy is one of our job training programs where students learn front-end web development, back-end web development, programming fundamentals, and much more through the immersive program.

After graduating from the Tech Academy, we help these students secure well-paying jobs with our employer partners throughout Atlanta. 

“I was able to access all the programs and services on campus and got my job because of City of Refuge. My whole life has changed. I don't have to worry about where my next meal is coming from or where I will sleep. COR has set me up so I can never really fail again,” said DJ. 

Watch this video to hear DJ, Malachi, and Kiana share about their experience in the Tech Academy and where they are now because of your generosity and investment in City of Refuge. 

OPENING THE 1300

We are excited to share that in Q3 we opened The 1300! This 47-unit, two and three-bedroom apartment complex is providing affordable housing for the community.

ARIEL MOVES INTO THE 1300

Experiencing homelessness looks different from one family to the next. For Ariel, it looked like sleeping in her car, bathing in public restrooms, begging hotels for warmth, not eating for days so she could feed her son, and not having any family to ask for support. Ariel had been calling other organizations looking for help but kept getting turned away. Then she heard about City of Refuge and started calling every day waiting for a room to open up. When one did, she was able to move into Eden Village. 

Ariel was immediately set up with a case manager who helped her access a counselor, daycare services at Feed My Lambs, healthcare (dental, vision, and medical), job training resources, and much more. Ariel was able to leave her stress and burdens behind as she now had a safe place to sleep for her and her son, three hot meals a day, and all the other supportive services that City of Refuge offers. Because of your support, Ariel’s dignity is restored, and she can finally see past trying to survive through the night to now being able to dream about her future. 

“Every day that I dropped my son off in Feed My Lambs I was brought to tears. Not because I was sad, but because I was so grateful for the teachers, amazing curriculum, and that he was being loved while I looked for a job,” said Ariel. 

After finding a job and starting to save money, Ariel began to look for an apartment. She watched our beautiful affordable housing community, The 1300, being built right across the street from campus and wished that she could stay close by. Ariel mentioned this to her case manager, who helped her with the application process. Not long after, Ariel was notified that her application was accepted and she was going to move into a beautiful two-bedroom apartment! 

With tears in her eyes, Ariel shared, “City of Refuge helped me overcome so many obstacles to get to where I am today. I am so blessed to have such a beautiful apartment to call home, for my son to have his own room, and to have access to everything on campus still.”

A PLACE TO TURN TO FOR RETURNING CITIZENS

After spending over 12 in prison, Victor had nowhere to turn when he was released. However, he built a relationship with Greg Washington, who heads up our TYRO program to prevent recidivism, while incarcerated. Upon release, he knew he could turn to City of Refuge for help!

Check out this letter from Victor!

I was incarcerated a month after I turned 21 and finally exited the system at the age of 33. There was so much that had changed in that time, and I possessed nothing besides the clothes on my back and a prison ID. But before leaving Metro State Prison, I had the fortune of speaking to Mr. Washington from City of Refuge, and he suggested that I attend an upcoming job fair at City of Refuge upon my release. At the job fair, I was able to talk to a few different companies. But without a Georgia ID or social security card, I wouldn’t be able to find a job. Luckily because of City of Refuge's services on campus, they helped me obtain my legal documentation. I began filling out countless applications and went on a number of interviews. On some, I felt out of place, underdressed, and under-qualified. Then, Mrs. Ross, who works in the Innovation Hub, got me an interview with a company and helped me be prepared. I got the job and just needed to get my license. Fortunately, I was able to take my driver’s test and earn my driver’s license the next day and start working.

Through all I went through, there were times that I got discouraged. But Mrs. Ross and Mr. Washington encouraged me, mentored me, and helped me when I needed help the most. Not only did I find employment, but I found a career that I enjoy. I am so thankful!

- Victor

Since writing this letter, we connected Victor to a partner of ours to help him purchase his own car! He then drove it to campus to show Mrs. Ross with so much pride and excitement.

Your support is strengthening families and providing pathways out of poverty!

“CANCER SAVED MY LIFE”

Life had always been a series of ups and downs for Ms. Owens. In her 30’s, she starting using drugs as an escape from some of the hardships she was facing. Then 20 years later she was faced with the diagnosis of breast cancer.

“It was cancer that saved my life and how I stopped using drugs,” said Ms. Owens.

After beating cancer for the first time and getting off drugs, Ms. Owens thought life would get easier. She began to face more obstacles when she lost her job, ended up homeless, and was diagnosed with breast cancer a second time.

Overstaying her welcome with family and friends left her on the streets with nowhere to turn — when she found City of Refuge. She moved into Eden Village where she got a case manager, health care services at Mercy Care, meals in the kitchen, job training services in the Hub, and more.

After her third surgery, Ms. Owens required more medical attention to recover. Because of our partnership with Mercy Care, she able to move into our Recuperative Care Center and get the care she needed to recover.

Ms. Owens was then able to move back into Eden Village, get a job, and is now waiting for her Habitat for Humanity home to be built so that she can move out!

Life had always been a series of ups and downs for Ms. Owens. In her 30’s, she starting using drugs as an escape from some of the hardships she was facing. Then 20 years later she was faced with the diagnosis of breast cancer.

“It was cancer that saved my life and how I stopped using drugs,” said Ms. Owens.

After beating cancer for the first time and getting off drugs, Ms. Owens thought life would get easier. She began to face more obstacles when she lost her job, ended up homeless, and was diagnosed with breast cancer a second time.

Overstaying her welcome with family and friends left her on the streets with nowhere to turn — when she found City of Refuge. She moved into Eden Village where she got a case manager, health care services at Mercy Care, meals in the kitchen, job training services in the Hub, and more.

After her third surgery, Ms. Owens required more medical attention to recover. Because of our partnership with Mercy Care, she able to move into our Recuperative Care Center and get the care she needed to recover.

Ms. Owens was then able to move back into Eden Village, get a job, and is now waiting for her Habitat for Humanity home to be built so that she can move out!

LETTER FROM A SURVIVOR

The letter below was written by one of our residents in House of Cherith. House of Cherith provides safe housing and supportive services where women can recover from the trauma of sexual exploitation.

These stories are only possible because of your support and generosity!

I grew up in a raging alcoholic family. My mom left me and my dad to live with another man and drink all the time. My life was almost taken from me when my mom decided to kidnap me while my dad was at work. When my mom kidnapped me, I was stabbed and my dad ended up finding me and saved my life. My mom has been in and out of my life for as long as I can remember. I picked up drinking and taking prescription pills by the time I was 18. I was also pregnant and married at this time. When my daughter was seven months old, I left my husband and lost our house and car. I was using meth and cocaine and depending on my family to support me. I ended up becoming pregnant again. I had a son and was living with my dad and addicted to pills and drugs. I was truly lost. 

I am so thankful I got tired of trying to die and feeling like I was nothing. I asked my pastor for help and they called House of Cherith at City of Refuge. House of Cherith is by far the best place I've ever seen. They have taught me how to love and be loved. I have forgiven myself for all the mistakes I have made and I am healing from being hurt and from hurting myself. I know that God is my savior and without Him I would have never made it to House of Cherith and never would have met these beautiful people who have changed my life. They have given me new hope to keep pushing in the will and the way of God.

-L

MATT & TIFFANY’S VOLUNTEER JOURNEY

Matt and Tiffany started their journey with City of Refuge when their company was looking to serve in Atlanta. After serving meals, providing Christmas gifts, and building relationships with many of our residents, Matt and Tiffany started to support City of Refuge financially, in addition to their time.

“We love the way that God has led us to be involved with City of Refuge. It is right up the street and ministering to a part of our city that has quite literally been under siege for over half a century,” Matt shared.

Tiffany added, “With all the places that we could give, we love that City of Refuge’s programs are holistic and the whole person is addressed. The housing, job training, healthcare, and youth development equips people to leave campus and to live a transformed life.”

KISHA FINDS HOPE

When all hope was lost and there was nowhere else to turn, Kisha found hope at City of Refuge.

At the young age of 14, Kisha was abused by a family member and got pregnant. She made the brave choice to keep the baby. That meant she had to create a new life for herself, as she was determined to love and protect her child.

Kisha went on to develop a strong career at Grady Hospital, working there for almost 10 years while caring for her daughter and grandchildren. Then, a sudden lay off left her unemployed and eventually homeless. She moved from house to house while trying to find a new job. In her eyes, all hope was lost. She even considered taking her life.

“God was not done with me and He still isn’t,” says Kisha.

With nowhere else to turn, she learned about City of Refuge. She was able to move into Eden Village. For the first time in her life, Kisha felt loved and seen. She immediately met with her case manager, Vallise, who helped her get access to mental health counseling, receive medication for depression, participate in anger management classes, and take advantage of the many other services on our campus. She enrolled in our culinary arts vocational training program to pursue her passion for cooking. “The programs, services, and staff here at City of Refuge truly saved my life,” she says.

After completing her goals, graduating from the culinary arts program, and moving out of Eden Village, Kisha was hired in our 180° Kitchen. She now helps prepare and serve over 350,000 meals each year. Kisha shares, “My favorite thing about working here is that I know what these ladies are fighting for. I get to meet them where they are by serving them a hot, nutritious meal.”

DONATING PRODUCE FOR CAMPUS

A little over five years ago, Royal Food Service owners visited City of Refuge and saw our work firsthand. “From that day on, the Royal family of companies knew COR’s mission was something we wanted to get behind!” says Jeannine Henderson, Marketing Manager at Royal.

Being rooted in Atlanta, Royal Food Royal delivering produce to campus Service wanted to give back to the community and believes that everyone deserves high-quality, fresh produce. Royal donates over 48,000 pounds of fresh produce to City of Refuge each year through weekly deliveries, nourishing the body and the mind while our residents and students journey toward transformation.

This partnership goes beyond donating produce. Royal is an active participant and sponsors our annual fundraising events and volunteers on campus to help bring Light, Hope, and Transformation. Not only is the company invested in City of Refuge but its employees have become personally invested as well in making a lasting, tangible impact.

WITHOUT HOPE BEFORE CITY OF REFUGE

Homelessness and hopelessness seemed to be what Conchatta would face for the rest of her life.

Conchatta had been wrestling with homelessness off and on for over seven years with her two children. She had tried numerous other housing programs, but she continued to find herself with no hope and no secure income. Credit problems, evictions, and unemployment seemed to haunt her every place she turned.

She was ready to rise above these challenges and obstacles. She wanted a better future for her children, to find her purpose again, and ultimately get a stable income and housing. That is when she found City of Refuge.

After moving into Eden Village, our on-campus housing program, and working with the City of Refuge team, she got her children enrolled in the local elementary school and our after school program, started getting the mental and medical care she and her children needed, and a safe place to call home while she worked to get back on her feet.

Conchatta’s case manager started talking with her about her passions and talents and found out she has always loved cooking. Conchatta quickly enrolled in our culinary training program and just graduated! She is also working on obtaining her GED. She is now interviewing for various job opportunities while she finishes her GED and looks forward to finding a job with her new certification and later moving into an apartment with her children.

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