December 18, 2025
As we round out the year, we often fill our time with many things like holiday lights and reflection. For me at City of Refuge, that has looked like taking our school aged students to see the spectacular light display at Veterans United as well as having meaningful conversations with them as they look back at this last semester and year.
It’s hard to put into words the squeals of delight as students experience the awe and beauty of holiday lights. If I could bottle it up and send it to you all, I would! Pure joy is universal, crossing language and cultural barriers. All you can do is smile when you hear it. What an honor it is to walk alongside students during these joyful experiences.
Additionally, I’ve had several students reflect on this last year and share some exciting highlights: finishing college applications, passing their driving tests and getting their driver’s licenses, sharing how coming to our youth after school program has increased their confidence, and being excited about a new home. Each of these are wins not only for the students and families but also for our community. We are weaving these students in and through our community in large and small ways. In exciting and mundane ways. And in doing so, we are honoring their humanity and encouraging them to grow into the wonderful young people they are becoming!
To encourage these things, we unite students to each other through shared experiences every week. We’re only able to make this possible for our students because we have a solid group of volunteers that come weekly to help execute youth programming, transport our students, and build relationships with our students. Recently, we had a transportation volunteer take a week off from driving. So when I personally went to get this group of students, they just kept asking for the other volunteer. They enjoy that volunteer that much! It makes my job easier to know we have the best volunteers so thoughtfully caring for our students weekly.
So, as I reflect on this year, under the glow of holiday lights, I know our students and volunteers have united together to build a shared community. A community of confidence, belonging, shared wins, and squeals of delight. I’m honored to be a part of it.
Raina Harting
Youth Empowerment Specialist
Giving Update
We’re halfway through CoMoGives, and nearly halfway to our goal! Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, and shown support so far.
Keep an eye on our social media to see upcoming opportunities to double the impact of your giving, and for more inspiring stories!
Two Options Now Available
Pre-order a City of Refuge tumbler for yourself or someone on your list, now available in two sizes/colors!
To-go tumbler options include 12oz. in sandstone (pictured) or 20oz. in white, both spill-proof designs from Miir.
Please know that pre-orders will not be ready for pick-up until January. But a thoughtful gift that supports refugees is worth waiting for!
