Safe Haven Center Capital Campaign: Susan Regnery 404.564.7743
The City of Refuge Safe Haven program began approximately 3 years ago, and at that time operated out of the basement of the Midtown Mission. The ministry is incredibly simple: the offer of a few hours relief from the summer heat or winter cold, a hot shower, fresh clothing, and a meal for those who are living on the streets. Haircuts were often given by volunteer barbers and beauticians. In addition to the clients who walked to the facility, our vans were used as a shuttle service to and from the bridges and street corners that our ministry teams regularly visited and fed.
The program operated only two days per week, from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, yet pound for pound these were the most effective ten hours of ministry each week, since it gave us the opportunity to truly engage with our clients, understand their needs on a deeper level, and develop the trust required for us to address these needs in partnership with them. It was not uncommon for five to ten individuals to enter an addiction recovery program each day.
Approximately one year ago the Midtown Mission building was sold, and the majority of the proceeds of the sale were used to get the Simpson Road warehouse into move-in condition so that the ministry could begin operating there. Since the warehouse did not have the infrastructure to support the Safe Haven program (commercial kitchen, lockers, showers), the decision was made to combine the Safe Haven program with our street feeding programs until the new Safe Haven Center was completed. The two programs combined currently bring approximately 6,000 meals per month to various locations throughout the city.
Safe Haven Capital Campaign
We are excited to share the news that we have recently received two matching gifts totaling $400,000. The total cost of the build out to the kitchen, plus a new roof and the additional infrastructure work required by the city is approximately $1.4 million, so with these gifts we are over one-third of the way to our fund raising goal. We are now reaching out to those who have supported us in the past and asking them to consider a financial gift towards construction of the center. Once complete, the Safe Haven Center will enhance and expand virtually every program at City of Refuge, and will have wide reaching impact in the communities we serve.
Feeding Programs—Costs will be reduced and meal quality and quantity increased.
Compassion Atlanta—Expanded to include produce and other perishable items.
Youth Education and Sports—After school and weekend programs will no longer be limited by facility size, or lack of facilities such a showers and lockers.
Job Training—A culinary program will be added to the OTC curriculum, which will expand the number of jobs and variety of skills trained.
Addiction Recovery—Safe Haven provides the environment for developing relationships that is so critical — these relationships become bridges to recovery for addicted men and women.
Crisis Response — City of Refuge assisted over 3,500 individuals during recent hurricane relief efforts. Imagine how much more we could have done if the Safe Haven Center had been built!
Safe Haven Center - How You Can Help:
Make an Individual Cash Donation:
Check with your company to see if they have a matching program (this could double or even triple your gift!)
Buy a commemorative brick
Lead a team to fund a part of the build out or to purchase equipment
Ranges
Refrigerators
Freezers
Tables
Chairs
Ovens
Dishwasher
Fryer
Make an in-kind donation of equipment.
Spread the word to family, friends, colleagues, and members of your church — tell them about the impact their contribution will have if they support City of Refuge.
