City of Refuge Inc

City of Refuge is a faith-based organization that helps individuals and families transition out of crisis.

In Atlanta’s Westside, the ongoing effects of systemic inequality remain profound. In this historic community, evidence that Atlanta ranks number one in the nation for income inequality can be seen everywhere. Here, the poverty rate is 36.7%, and 31.8% of households receive public assistance. The average household income is just $28,114. These concentrated rates of poverty and associated environmental factors contribute to an ongoing lack of access to opportunities needed to support a healthy quality of life.

City of Refuge (COR) was founded in 1997 to help the broken, assist the at-risk, and prevent future crises in Atlanta’s Westside. The mission is to bring light, hope, and transformation to individuals and families who have suffered from a lack of opportunities. It started in1997 by sharing meals. Yet the community needed a lot more. As neighbors sought help overcoming other challenges, from childcare to low-income and legal troubles, the organization grew to serve them. In 2003, the donation of a 210,000-square-foot warehouse on eight acres in the heart of zip code 30314 allowed COR to add services to meet more community needs. It has not stopped since.

SHORTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES

Housing affordability challenges are on full display in the Westside of Atlanta. The area has the highest percentage of structures and lots in deteriorated condition, along with the highest percentage of vacant structures and code issues in the city. Almost 65% of households in zip code 30314 are renting, and one-third of households now pay over 50% of their income in rent. Justice-involved individuals face further barriers to securing adequate housing. Housing instability crisis is common.

Neighborhood education statistics highlight the ongoing need. The school dropout rate is 16%, and only 26% of the population has earned a bachelor’s degree. More than 97.2% of students in the local public schools are eligible to participation Free or Reduced Lunch programs. Only 27% of 3rd-grade students at the local school were reading at or above grade level on the most recent Georgia Milestones.

The community continues to lack access to meaningful employment and financial services. The annual unemployment rate is almost double the Georgia average. 

Poverty levels also increase the risk of violence and crime. This can prevent children from feeling safe and even lead them to believe violence is normal, perpetuating cycles of crime and incarceration. The inherent stressors of living in this high-poverty, high-crime neighborhood have resulted in life expectancy more than six years below the state of Georgia and national averages.

BRINGING LIGHT & BUILDING HOPE

Today, City of Refuge serves as a center Where Good Works. It first addresses essentials of food, shelter, and primary medical care. Then, the focus turns to longer-term needs for education, skills, and job training. Strong partnerships provide much-needed additional support. These coordinated programs and services, all under one roof, are designed to help break the cycle of poverty, poor health, crime, violence, and lack of opportunity that have plagued generations of residents.

COR's manner of addressing longer-term needs are broken down into four main programs:

HOUSING - COR provides safe housing along with comprehensive support services for men, women, and children.

HEALTH & WELLNESS - COR has an onsite kitchen serving three meals a day, a fully functioning fitness center with partner Noble Clay fitness, and an onsite medical clinic with partner Mercy Care.

JOB TRAINING - COR has a robust job training program with opportunities to learn cybersecurity, forklift training, automotive technician training, culinary arts, digital fluency, hospitality, and more. There are also 2 monthly job fairs open to the entire community.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT - COR has an onsite preschool serving children ages 6 weeks to 4 years old. City School Atlanta is also on campus--a private Christian school serving grades 3-12. There is an after school program for elementary, middle, and high school students, a summer camp program, and furthered education opportunities through the J17 scholarship fund.

BREAKING BARRIERS. BUILDING MOMENTUM.

City of Refuge is committed to offering transformation for people living in the Westside of Atlanta. Delivering all the resources needed for individuals to turn their lives around, all in one place, has been an essential component of City of Refuge’s impact over the past twenty-six years. To continue to break barriers and build momentum, it is critical to keep providing everything needed for people to return to health and wholeness. Together with supporters like you, City of Refuge will continue its mission to bring light, hope, and transformation to thousands of individuals who just are not going to make their way forward without some help.