Deep and Wide

We started 2025 with the lofty goal of starting nothing new. “Deep, not wide,” I told the staff. We had, after all, started many new ventures over the last few years… the new building had afforded us the opportunity to launch City Boutique, City Preschool, and finally City Cuisine. In addition to them, we had secured funding to help us build capacity for our driving classes, digital literacy classes, artisan classes, youth programs, basic needs programs, case management, and more. We had a full team, all of our empty positions filled, and we were ready for 2025 – to work toward excellence without starting anything new.

But then, 2025 happened. 

Within weeks, the plans were immediately halted, uprooted, and tossed out the window. Pivot! Flexibility became an even truer strategy than it had before. 

In addition to the new programs we were asked to take on (that came with the need to expand our workforce by 4 additional full-time employees), we were also approached by our neighbors at 1 E. Broadway… “Would City of Refuge be interested in buying our building?” 

Yes, of course we would – we were already feeling how tight our current space was getting and our new programs actually necessitated us leasing out a suite from 1 E. Broadway. It would be the perfect addition to our organization’s needs, but the timing wasn’t great. I mean, federal funding was unpredictable and every day we were facing unprecedented challenges: growing amidst a soon-to-be large deficit to our operating budget. 

As we examined our financial position and the long-term sustainability and scalability of our organization, the Board unanimously agreed to move forward with exploring the possibility. We had previously been awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from Boone County that could be used toward the acquisition. The larger question was the building’s condition and if the current leases would be enough to pay for itself. After lots of inspections, discussions, and analytics, it was determined that we could (and should!) move forward with the purchase. 

We officially closed on 1 E. Broadway on June 11, 2025. City of Refuge now owns the block between Broadway and Walnut and we are thrilled about how this addition will help us grow and meet more needs. Beyond the suite we were already leasing, we plan to turn the one remaining empty suite into a Learning Center where English classes and our youth can meet to learn and develop community. We are also working on raising additional funds to install a commercial kitchen so our cooking classes can grow and that City Cuisine will have a landing spot to produce more food year-round. 

Meanwhile, our operating needs haven’t changed. Our federal funding is still slated to end and raising the $50,000/month is still necessary to maintain our current programs, staffing, and services. The good news is that the new building didn’t increase that need – we’re actually hopeful that long-term it will allow us to grow City Cuisine to help us offset some of those deficits. 

So… the joke around the office has now been, “Deep AND wide”. Within 6 months of 2025 we were able to effectively not meet our goal of not starting anything new. Instead, 2025 is shaping up to include all of the following: 

• Starting 3 new programs in partnership with MO-ORA (RSS, RTAC, RCA) which involved us taking on new clients
• Hiring 4 additional full-time staff 
• Launching City Cuisine Catering & Box Lunches
• Initiating a campaign to raise 1,000 partners committed to giving $50/month (we’re 20% of the way there!) 
• Starting Immigration Legal Services 
• Buying 1 E. Broadway & occupying 2 suites there
• Increasing our Adult English class capacity in partnership with MERS Goodwill
• Starting Summer School at City Preschool 
• Pioneering a Youth Internship Program for students with refugee backgrounds
• Expanding our volunteer base to 300 per week
• Planning for an additional free health clinic 
• Preparing for our largest Back to School Bash ever (because we are now serving more folks than ever!) 

A wild ride, truly. Nothing that we would have ever predicted or expected, but it seems we are right where we are supposed to be. Serving and empowering more refugees in mid-Missouri through relational care, education, and development. And while the world around us is chaotic, confusing, and ever-changing, we will do our best to remain a constant, steady, hospitable place for those who have already endured so much just to be here. 

We will continue to look to you, Columbia, in our growth. We’re working hard to grow awareness in the city and could use your help to make that happen. We’re always happy to give tours, present to any group, and indulge appetites with food from around the world. 

More people need to know that our city is now home to over 43 different countries. More people need to know that their neighbors have a story to tell and need a place to truly belong. 

Help us continue to be a place of refuge. Not just this block, but city-wide. 

We can’t wait to see what the next 6 months will bring, but for now we again say Thank You. It is such a privilege and an honor to walk such an unpredictable road surrounded by a community who is willing to provide such a steady welcome. You have proven to be a community who honors and dignifies all our friends from around the world who have been forced to flee… and for that – especially as we celebrate this Independence Day – we are forever grateful.

Debbie Beal
Executive Director

P.S. If you want to stay up to date with current happenings in the refugee resettlement world, I encourage you to check out this resource.

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