Progressing in four phases throughout 13 months
The Refuge Women’s Residential Addiction Recovery Program provides the safe place and process to help women address and overcome the underlying issues
fueling their addictive behavior. The program is offered free-of-charge for all accepted. Our program seeks to take women from the chains of active addiction, trafficking, abuse, and hopelessness to becoming fully recovered and responsible citizens, who go on to serve as lights to their families and communities.
Women completing The Refuge’s four-phase, thirteen-month residential program possess more than one-year clean and sober, a relationship with Christ, full-time
employment producing a living wage, safe and affordable housing, reliable transportation, meaningful community connections, and a new network of friends bonded by common circumstance.
There is absolutely no cost or insurance needed to go through The Refuge.
Learn About The Process
Select An Option
Phase 1
Discovery
30-45 days.
In Phase 1, we desire to be a safe place for every woman to discover God and to experience unconditional love and acceptance. This is where they began to see what it looks like to be a woman in God’s sight.
Safe environment, free from drugs/alcohol and other distractions
Structured and secluded environment
Development opportunities for mind, body, and spirit
Personal development small groups
One-on-one mentoring
Comprehensive, individual plan for personal growth based on biblical study
No outside contact is permitted, so that the women can focus on growing personally and with Christ.
Phase 2
Relational
4 months
The “Relational Phase” Here, women begin to develop an intimate relationship with God as well as learning to trust and rely on each other. This is where they take advantage of tools, skills, and workplace training to be able to be successful women not only in community, but in their homes and future careers.
Focus on relationships – with God, herself, others, and God’s creation.
Regular emphasis on the study of God’s Word, praise and worship, serving, giving, curriculum, and connecting to the body of Christ beyond the Refuge.
Relational growth is focused on sacrifice, discipleship, sisterhood, conflict resolution, and submitting to authority/peer evaluation in regards to our 7 Principles.
One on one counseling focused on discovering how God created him uniquely and redeeming his story to use as a vehicle to serve the Lord.
Regular emphasis on the study of God’s Word, praise and worship, serving, giving, curriculum, and connecting to the body of Christ beyond the Refuge.
Bi-weekly workplace training allows for slow and steady accommodation to the workplace, with growing accountability and responsibility.
Focused training and activities so that the women can grow: spiritually, financially, emotionally, physically, relationally and practically.
The restoration process with friends and family begins slowly and gently through weekly phone calls, letter writing and a once a month in-person visit at Family Day as appropriate.
Phase 3
Application
4 months
The “Application Phase”, is the next four months of commitment. Here, the process more closely resembles what most would consider “regular life”. Women work 30-40 hours per week and have more freedom to make choices, while still under the authority and obeying the rules of the Refuge.
Women work 30-40 hours per week, paying for the majority of their way through the ministry and investing in the women behind them
Make a small monthly stipend to start saving or spending as they choose
Engaged in the local church and community, especially in the Franklinton/Hilltop areas of Columbus
Focus shifts to prayer and preparation for the future as women are trained in one of “2 Pathways” – trainings to serve them in life after the Refuge
Volunteer coaches meet with the men weekly to walk alongside them as they begin to prepare for life after the Refuge
May begin making monthly home visits
The restoration process with friends and family continues with weekly phone calls, letter writing and a once a month in-person visit at Family Day as appropriate. Additional contact with children may be permitted at staff discretion.
Phase 4
The Launch
4 months
The “Launch” rounds out the final 4 months of a woman’s 12-month commitment. The focus is on preparing women to return to society as cherished women of God, with a developed life plan and ongoing support. Women are given more autonomy than anywhere else in the ministry, while they also have more responsibility – to serve the community and the church, to pour back into the women behind them, and to set a good example for all the women in Phases 1-3. We raise up these women as leaders in the ministry, so that they can also learn to lead in their homes, churches, and communities as the women of God they were created to be.
Women continue to hold a full-time job through partnering employers.
Begin building a life plan and career portfolio that will help them find gainful employment before leaving the ministry.
Connect with a long term mentor for personal growth and development
Freedom is given but responsibility and accountability are key
Allowing space for mothers to learn and adapt to life with their children.
Phone calls and letters still permitted, along with weekend home visits every two weeks. Additional freedom may be given the last month of the ministry to figure out housing and transportation needs.
Success Stories
"Trust the process."
- Coty
"There is so much unconditional love."
- Areil
"Relying on God more."
- Dustin
"There is hope."
- Nate
Our Mission
To change the lives of men and women affected by addiction through Christ.
Our Purpose
To lead men and women from active addiction to becoming fully recovered, responsible citizens who move forward and make a new beginning towards lives defined by new beliefs, values, and purpose.
Our Vision
To inspire fully recovered and responsible men and women of God who go on to live Christ-centered lives of Christian responsibility and purpose and bring still others to Christ.