RIVER OF REFUGE

RIVER OF REFUGE PROVIDES TEMPORARY HOUSING TO WORKING HOMELESS FAMILIES. FAMILIES LIVE IN A FULLY FURNISHED APARTMENT ON SITE AT RIVER OF REFUGE ON AVERAGE 4-6 MONTHS WHILE WORKING A CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON PAYING OFF DEBT WHICH IS PROHIBITING THE FAMILY FROM SECURING STABLE HOUSING, WHICH IS TYPICALLY DUE TO EVICTIONS AND PAST DUE RENT AND UTILITIES. EACH PROGRAM IS TAILORED TO THE SITUATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL FAMILY. FAMILIES ARE PLACED ON A STRICT, "ALL NEEDS, NO WANTS" BUDGET AND MEET WEEKLY WITH THEIR ASSIGNED CASE MANAGER. IN ADDITION TO CASE MANAGEMENT, FAMILIES MUST ATTEND WEEKLY PARENTING AND LIFE SKILLS CLASSES ON SITE AT RIVER OF REFUGE. THE RIVER OF REFUGE APPROACH SEEKS TO CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR OF HOMELESS FAMILIES SO THAT THEY CAN BETTER ACHIEVE SUSTAINED HOUSING MOVING FORWARD. IN 2024 RIVER OF REFUGE HAD THIRTEEN FAMILIES GRADUATE AND PROVIDED 17,814 BED NIGHTS TO 39 FAMILIES THAT INCLUDED 176 INDIVIDUALS COMPRISED OF 56 ADULTS AND 120 KIDS. WE ALSO PROVIDED 40,616 MEAL EQUIVALENTS FOR THESE FAMILIES. OTHER SUCCESSES IN 2024 WAS THE COMPLETION AND OPENING OF A NEW TEACHING KITCHEN. THE ORGANIZATION HAS LINED UP VOLUNTEERS TO TEACH COOKING CLASSES AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH DURING LIFE SKILLS CLASS BEGINNING IN 2025. WE ADDED FIVE HENS TO OUR NUTRITION PROJECT WHICH FOCUSES ON TEACHING FAMILIES ABOUT THE NUTRITIONAL AND BUDGETARY VALUE OF KNOWING WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM AND GROWING YOUR OWN. ALL EGGS LAID BY THE CHICKENS WERE GIVEN TO FAMILIES IN THE PROGRAM. KIDS LEARNED HOW TO HANDLE CHICKENS AND WERE ABLE TO GATHER EGGS FROM THE NESTING BOXES. (NO CHICKENS WILL BE EATEN IN THIS PROJECT) IN 2022 THE ORGANIZATION KICKED OFF IT'S NUTRITION PROJECT WITH SIXTEEN RAISED VEGETABLE GARDENS. THOSE GARDENS CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THREE SEASONS OF FRESH VEGIES AND FAMILIES GET TO HELP MAINTAIN AND HARVEST THE GARDENS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS SIXTEEN DEDICATED BOARD MEMBERS, FOUR FULL-TIME STAFF AND TWO PART-TIME STAFF AND MANY VOLUNTEERS THAT MAKE THIS PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL. TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR 2024 WERE 2275 HOURS WHICH EQUATES TO 70,889 USING THE MISSOURI VOLUNTEER RATE FOR 2024. THE ORGANIZATION IS GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY.