At its annual event, “The Gathering,” Atlanta nonprofit City of Refuge celebrated a year of milestones while also raising funds to support local residents in need of assistance.
The fundraising event, hosted at The Foundry at Puritan Mill, brought together numerous supporters of City of Refuge, helping the social services organization to raise $1.1 million.
City of Refuge said that the money will be used to “fund day-to-day operations and launch new programs, initiatives and services for residents living on-campus and in the surrounding community.”
“Real change is made when we unite and work towards a shared purpose together,” said Bruce Deel, founder and chief executive officer of City of Refuge. “We’re grateful for the supporters who continue to lift up our mission and join us at The Gathering to make a difference in the lives of those who seek out City of Refuge for help.”
The theme of this year’s event was “Building a Future of Hope and Joy,” something that resonated with City of Refuge following a year in which it was able to impact several lives.
Among the nonprofit’s major achievements in 2024 included the opening of five affordable single-family homes on Burbank Drive, as well as the groundbreaking of a new 38,000-square-foot Transformation Center.
Once open, City of Refuge said that the Transformation Center facility “will provide critical economic, health and wellness services in Atlanta’s Westside.”
Additionally, the event also highlighted City of Refuge’s “Breaking Barriers. Building Momentum.” capital campaign, which was originally set at $25 million, but was increased to more than $33 million after exceeding its initial goal.
The initiative serves to assist the nonprofit with providing “expanded opportunities for men, women and children to escape poverty and thrive in the community,” said City of Refuge.
Founded in 1997, City of Refuge provides help to in-need Atlantans through a variety of support services that target areas such as health and wellness, housing, vocational training and youth development.
The organization’s central campus is located in Atlanta’s Westside, while it also offers numerous satellite campuses throughout the U.S.
