Did you choose your vulnerability?

Have you ever held a small child for a very long time? Or carried them, for any amount of time? I have an almost 4-year-old, and it’s no easy feat. We try different methods, depending on the distance we must cover. A few weeks ago, we trekked down a quarter mile pier with her riding

Unexpected Blessings

Sometimes we step out in faith having to believe that something or someone will catch us. We can plan, we can prepare, we can think through every possible detail or ramification of our actions… but, usually, our preparedness can only get us so far.  I’ve learned (am still learning, really) to plan – absolutely plan

Toilet Paper Dreams

Every time I go into our Basic Needs Closet, our toilet paper shelf looks sad. I would guess it’s our most-often depleted item…and I would guess it’s our most needed item. I have a dream where one day I’ll go into the closet and see rolls and rolls of toilet paper… and then rolls and

World Refugee Day Celebration

I sat on the cool pavement of the pavilion, one among hundreds, watching the colors and movement of the Rvwang tribe as they shared one of their native dances with us. It was a hot day, but that didn’t stop them from putting on the thickly woven sweaters and long skirts. They were committed to

 Join our Story

Three months after I moved to Namibia, the US war in Afghanistan began. It was 2001 and I, like every other American, was reeling from 9/11 and experiencing plenty of raw emotions. I watched the news with great interest, but I did so safely about 5,000 miles away from the conflict. The truth is, this

 Together, we will be a City of Refuge

A few weeks back, I was at work in my office frantically trying to get through the growing to-dos. Laughter permeated through the walls and when I took a moment to pause, I had to reflect for a minute on the beauty of what was transpiring at 10 N. Garth Ave. in that exact moment.  

Global Artisans

Hello!  My name is Kellye Dubinski and I am the Donations Coordinator and Boutique Manager here at City of Refuge. With the opening of City Boutique late last year, City of Refuge has had the ability to explore many new opportunities for both our organization and the individuals that we work with.   One of the most emotionally impactful

Creating Spaces

I love walking people through our new building for the first time. I love getting to share the unique stories, the incredible opportunities, the ways our staff, volunteers, and interns are meeting needs on a daily basis. I love getting to show the ways our new building has built our capacity. Now we can respond

A City of Refuge Poem-a-thon Up!

You’ve heard of a walkathon or a bike-a-thon… but have you ever heard of a poem-a-thon? City of Refuge is excited to launch this new opportunity for the benefit of our refugee friends.  Registration is now OPEN.  Commit to writing something down every day for 30 days. Join City of Refuge as we learn the

A City of Refuge Poem-a-thon

How do you express yourself? Do you chat it up with friends and family or the nearest stranger in the parking lot? Do you make daily journal entries, paint or draw pictures? What happens when you’re unable to express yourself? You went on a trip and forgot your journal. No one is returning your texts