It’s almost time to kick off our fourth annual Poem-a-Thon! Today we hear from guest writer Ann Youmans, our volunteer Poem-a-Thon coordinator, about why she approached City of Refuge with the idea and how she hopes to impact our refugee community through the power of the written word. __________________________________ “When I graduated from college, I
Before I was a care coordinator, I was an intern, and before I was an intern, I was a volunteer, and at the beginning of all of that, I met Aqal. Aqal is a refugee from Afghanistan. He’s a family man in the traditional sense, my friend in the non-traditional. I have had some level
I wouldn’t ever claim to be a writer, but I do like to write. Usually. So when, three years ago, Ann approached us about the idea of a Poem-a-Thon, I was intrigued by the idea. Raising money for City of Refuge through our words? It felt powerful. Purposeful. We were all in. We still are.
It usually starts with a message. This time, it was a request to call a community member before Christmas. When I get a message about fabric donations my heart races a bit and I try not to hold my breath. What will be in the bags and boxes? Treasured lengths or tiny scraps? This message
“….I have the same feeling of helplessness that I’m sure so many in our Columbia community have: What can I do to help our neighbors?” This email from a concerned citizen sits in my inbox, awaiting a response. I toss around a million possible drafts in my head, unsure that there’s really one answer to
Welcome, 2026! We’re jumping into the new year with mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation – knowing that change and transition are on the horizon while we simultaneously work to sustain the growth we’ve experienced over the last several years. Even as I type this, a new group of English students is gathered together –
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
Purpose has always been a big theme in my life. I grew up in a religious community and later became fascinated with what scientists had to say about why we’re here. In 2022, scientists won the Nobel Prize for showing that tiny particles can remain connected across vast distances – even across time. It suggests
The St. Louis Zoo on a sunny Sunday is a symphony of joyful chaos – children’s laughter mingling with animal calls, families strolling, ice cream melting. It’s an American scene, and amidst it all, a particular family with five children in tow recently embarked on an adventure that filled my heart with immense pride. I’ve
Every day at City of Refuge, gratitude shows up in powerful ways – relieved smiles, heartfelt thanks and even shared meals. This week, Barry Stoll shares some of the ways he witnesses thanks and giving in the lives of our refugee neighbors. It wasn’t just the words “thank you” that made me realize how grateful
