City of Refuge

Join us for our 2nd annual Summer Market! We'll have local vendors and global artisans, along with food, fun, and music!

#cmolinks A huge THANK YOU to The Central Missouri Chapter of The Links (https://lnkd.in/gmDETH4p), Incorporated for their incredible generosity! In honor of International Women’s Day, they organized a Basic Needs Closet drive, providing essential items for our African refugee friends—including Black hair care products and baskets of children’s books ?? We are so grateful for community partners who support refugee families with much-needed resources! Want to help? You can drop off donations at our building or visit our Amazon Wish List to provide essential items. Every contribution makes a difference! ??

#StaffHighlight Meet Emili! She is one of our care coordinators with a big heart! She enjoys walking alongside the refugee families we serve daily by supporting them in everything from healthcare to enrolling kids in school to helping parents sign up for our English, driving, and computer literacy programs. The list doesn't stop there! #cityofrefugecolumbia #RefugeeSupport

“When a refugee comes into our office, we seek to listen, to help the best we can, and ultimately to love and honor them. Their response may be a simple thank-you, it may be nothing at all. If the relationship is reinforced, though, the aim has been met.” J.J., one of our Care Coordinators, explains how he approaches his role and what it means to love your neighbor at City of Refuge every day. Read the full story in our latest newsletter and subscribe: https://lnkd.in/g5e-G9d9

Meet Lena, one of our amazing new interns! Lena is working with our Development Team, building a culinary program where our clients will learn cooking skills while practicing English! ??????? She joined City of Refuge to make a positive impact, practice Spanish, and help fill the gaps where resources for refugees fall short. Favorite moment so far? Connecting with the youth we serve: "They are the kindest, brightest souls!" Join us in welcoming Lena! Want to join our team? Check out opportunities for summer and fall semester interns here: https://lnkd.in/gxkv6vkq

Join the City of Refuge Poem-A-Thon for the entire month of April! ?? This is a 30-day writing challenge to support our refugee neighbors. Write something every day and explore the healing power of words through language, culture, identity, and resilience. Let’s write, share, and connect! ?? Join here and check out more info about the fundraising event: https://lnkd.in/ghWffX_x

Driving is a huge step toward independence—especially in the U.S.! At City of Refuge, our driving simulator helps refugees learn the rules of the road before they ever step into a car. ? 1 refugee just received their driver’s license! AND many more to come! ? 2 passed their written test & are preparing for the road test! ? 13 completed their permit test & are starting simulator lessons! Our AmeriCorps VISTA, V.V, leads this program, supporting each learner through their unique challenges and building a community of confident drivers! Do you like supporting people who are learning how to drive? Be a driving simulator volunteer with us! https://lnkd.in/ecqsfWdk

Wonder who runs our City Cuisine food truck? Meet Nathan! He not only handles all things food truck, but he trains our refugee friends in culinary skills and supports our building in many different ways.

Make a Big Impact—Join Our Volunteer & Donation Efforts! At City of Refuge, we believe that home is more than just a place—it’s the people who show up. That’s where you come in! ?? Volunteer Buddies: Walk alongside a refugee family for a year, helping them navigate daily life. This is a high-commitment, highly relational opportunity—best for groups with weekday flexibility, especially in the first six months. ?? Transportation Team: Help refugees get to work, school, and City of Refuge programs. We need both on-call and scheduled drivers! ??? Basic Needs Closet Donations: When refugee families arrive, they often have little more than the clothes on their backs. Help turn an empty space into a home by donating King/Queen bed sheets, towels, small rugs, shower curtains, kitchen/baking pans, and trash cans. These essentials bring comfort, dignity, and stability to families starting over in a new country. Want to help? Visit https://lnkd.in/gqtWEqmX to sign up to volunteer OR donate items by dropping them off at our building during our hours (Mon - Fri 9am - 4pm)!

?? A Heartfelt Thank You! ?? This holiday season, your kindness has truly made a difference in the lives of our refugee families. We are beyond grateful for the generous contributions of Season of Giving kits—hygiene kits, new mom and baby kits, and more—that have brought comfort and care to so many. ?? A huge THANK YOU to these incredible organizations for their generosity and big hearts: - The Crossing, Columbia, MO - - Alive in Christ Lutheran Church - - Girl Scout Troop 71859 - - Delta Sigma Pi - - John Warner Middle School - - The Quarters Columbia - - Grace Bible Church - Columbia, MO - Special thanks to The Quarters Columbia and Delta Sigma Pi for going the extra mile with clothing and coat drives for our City of Refuge families. Your efforts have kept our community warm and cared for this winter. Together, you’ve made the season brighter for so many. From all of us at City of Refuge, thank you for being part of this journey with us.