What is the City of Refuge?

What on earth is the City of Refuge?  

To be truthful, I have heard about City of Refuge off and on for a few years.  My husband works for a 

fabulous company which offers City support from time to time.  One day a friend in yoga class told me 

that City of Refuge was looking for ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers.  My ears instantly 

perked up because I have my TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certification and TEFL

 (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification.  After talking to a staff member I realized that 

the ESL teachers were volunteer only positions.  I decided to go for it, but was then asked to consider

the Americorp position.  I felt brave so I applied and the rest is history.

 

Here is what City of Refuge has on their website:  

City of Refuge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to help refugees and immigrants recover 

and regain control of their lives. We provide Basic Need Programs, Counseling Services, and 

Professional Development Opportunities for those in our community. Our goal is to equip those arriving 

in our community with the materials they need, as well as deeper friendships they can count on as they 

navigate a new life in the United States. 

I love that description, but it goes deeper than just those words.  The City of Refuge is about actions and 

the people behind those actions.  It is about giving hearts and open minds.  It is about caring and giving 

of oneself to help others who need it.

The City of Refuge is about “Open House” days.  Our friends can walk in, without an appointment, and 

ask for help.  I have seen stacks of mail to be sorted into junk mail and bills.  I have heard people ask for 

help communicating with insurance companies.  One family needed help addressing an envelope.  A 

family wanted to make sure that their check was properly written to the utility company.  Basically, our 

friends need help navigating the complexities of things that we take for granted.  

 

The City of Refuge is a huge network of loving and giving people in our community.  Almost every 

day I am amazed with the generosity of the people in our community.  I have seen basic care kits, bedding,

diapers, clothing, furniture, and housewares come through our doors to the donation room.  Then, 

seemingly as fast as the items come through our doors, the items go back out our doors and into the homes 

of our new friends.  It isn’t uncommon for a staff member to stop to drive someone home because of the 

goodies that were found.  My absolute favorite story is when two small Burmese boys found a hula hoop.  

They sat on the bench outside the front door and just looked at their treasures.  The next minute I looked 

up and saw them playing with their new toys.  It was so hilarious and also so touching.

The City of Refuge is the many volunteers who selflessly give one or two nights a week to be 

homework helpers.  Volunteers gather to help children complete their homework.  If the parents  are 

unsure about their English skills, it is difficult to assist Junior with homework.  So many wonderful volunteers

come out each week and patiently help the children.  

The City of Refuge is full of the “buddies” in the “buddy” system helping adults learn the English 

language and learn to navigate in our culture.  Friendships are encouraged and even fostered.  Support 

materials and classes are made available for the English tutors as they help their new friends.  Not everyone 

has certifications but most of us speak English well enough to be able to provide friendship and help.  What 

an opportunity and how rewarding!

The City of Refuge is about the English teachers who meet with their class one day a week. An 

area has been curtained off and ladies meet to learn and practice their English skills.  My first week there 

I overheard the sweet English teacher carefully discuss weddings and the associated words (bride, groom, 

jilted, etc.).  I was impressed by her passion and thoroughness.

 

The City of Refuge is the teachers who meet weekly to teach ladies how to sew on old Singer 

sewing machines.  Did you know that sewing machines are one of our most requested items?  Before 

Christmas the class created some beautiful little cloth ornaments.  I would totally love to have one myself!  

The City of Refuge is the group of interns who weekly give of their time to research grants and 

work on projects for the busy staff members.  The City of Refuge is also the volunteer staff who 

run the front desk.  They accept the donations.  They field questions from the people we help or maybe 

even sit to write thank you notes for kind gifts sent our way.  

I could wax eloquent over the many ways the City of Refuge helps refugee families in our community.  

Why don’t you come to see?  

And of some have compassion, making a difference: Jude 1:22 KJV

Click here to find out more about volunteer opportunities at City of Refuge.

All opinions expressed here are solely mine and are not a reflection of the opinions of the Americorp VISTA program or of City of Refuge in Columbia, MO.