A Day Of Service

Our Ministry is about more than just getting clean and sober. We are here to serve God and also our fellow man. Recently, a bunch of the guys in Columbus spent a day of service cleaning up garden on the corner of Sullivant and Souder.

They pulled weeds and cleaned up trash to make our neighborhood a more beautiful place to live.

by Tom Orr

Celebrating Independence

It was a great night of brotherhood in Columbus last night for Red, White, and Boom.

A bunch of the guys headed downtown to enjoy the fireworks together.

We celebrate Independence Day every day, as our men and women enjoy life free from addiction, but fireworks are only for special occasions.

Happy 4th of July from The Refuge!

by Tom Orr

We Need Bunk Beds!

The Refuge is growing, and we need bunk beds for both our Men's and Women's Ministries!

Have some you can donate? You can email info@therefugeohio.org or call 614-991-0131 to let us know.

Thank you for your help to change lives affected by addiction.

by Tom Orr

Set Up For Success

Addiction takes a brutal toll on people and families in every way imaginable. Broken relationships, trust issues, and financial ruin are extremely common.

By the time men and women complete our Ministry, they have undergone personal and spiritual transformations away from addiction and to Christ.

We work to restore their personal relationship and rebuild those bonds of trust.

But we also work to make sure they're set up for success financially as well.

Everyone in The Refuge meets with volunteers and staff throughout their time here to ensure they have all the documents they need and a budget to live on.

We try to help men and women with debt set up a plan to get themselves free from it.

Perhaps most importantly from a financial perspective, they also have a work history that prepares them to support themselves and their families long-term.

by Tom Orr

Family Day!

One of the highlights of every month at The Refuge is Family Day.

The men and women who have been part of The Refuge for more than a month have the opportunity to spend a wonderful afternoon with their parents, siblings, kids, and anyone else they choose to invite.

It's a special time to reconnect with loved ones and to start rebuilding the bonds of trust that addiction has broken.

It's also a chance for those on the outside of the Ministry to see the personal and spiritual growth that has happened within the men and women during their time at The Refuge.

by Tom Orr

Founder's Day

We recently celebrated Founder's Day at Phase One. It's a very special event where guys who have completed our Ministry go back to where it all started in Vinton County, along with our founder, Tom Thompson.

There, they talk to the newest men in our Ministry about their experiences, encourage them, and answer questions.

Tom Thompson Founder's Day Founder's Day Tom Thompson

by Tom Orr

The Launch Process

Our Ministry is a working Ministry. That means the men and women at The Refuge spend several months of their time with us working a full-time job.

This helps them in several ways. First, the money earned is poured back in the men and women behind them.

Second, it helps establish a "new normal" where you get up in the morning and go to work, that they can carry with them after they leave.

Third, it establishes a work history that makes them an attractive employee for companies to hire after they complete The Refuge.

And that's just one of the ways we ensure everyone who completes The Refuge leaves with more than just a pat on the back.

Our staff and volunteers work with them to establish a budget, get a driver's license and Social Security card, and help them plan out what their life will be like after they leave.

Our goal is to send out men and women who are ready to be hard-working and productive role models, personally and spiritually.

Christopher and Eric recently completed The Refuge. You can hear their "Launch" stories below.