History: In 1996, the Mission Church in Atlanta opened its doors to homeless women and children. In 2014, the church opened its campus, now called City of Refuge, which serves more women and families in downtown Atlanta.

Did You Know: Today, 125 women and children call City of Refuge home, with access to a full suite of services – shelter, food, job training, and health and wellness. Anyone in the community can apply for job training, child care, or get help at the medical clinic. This year, 360 people were placed into skilled jobs through the nonprofit’s culinary, mechanic and forklift training.

Motto: City of Refuge is a faith-based environment that helps individuals and families transition out of crisis.

How You Can Help: Hang out with or help elementary-aged children with homework for a couple of hours during the weekday. City of Refuge needs volunteers who can clean and sanitize its campus. Financial donations make it possible to continue supporting the community.

To Learns More: Visit cityofrefugeatl.org or email info@cityofrefugeatl.org.

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State Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone) speaks during a state Senate Ethics Committee hearing on election security at the Paul D. Coverdell Legislative Office Building in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Harbin is the main sponsor of SB 120, which would withhold state funding or state-administered federal money to any public school or college that implements DEI policies. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com