community
We were made for community. Community is what The Refuge is about! The body needs food and housing but our mind and emotional health depends on a healthy community. At The Refuge we love to share life together. Sometimes this looks like singing karaoke together. Other times it is playing bannagrams. Still other times it happens over a cup of coffee. Check out what we can offer with regards to community oriented programming.
2nd Chance Drop In
The 2nd Chance Drop In program offers breakfast and lunch each weekday. Here you can access shower facilities, do laundry, play games, chat with others over coffee and much more.
9-1:00 Mon.-Fri.
Wellness
Wellness is held on Thursday afternoons and involves playing sports, swimming, going for beach walks, fruit or vegetable picking and much more. Come join us!
Thursday 1 - 2:30 pm
Kaleidoscope Art
We love to do art. Whether it is painting, crafts, drawing, etc. Art is a wonderful way to express thoughts and feelings when words are not enough.
on hold
Wilderness Rocks
Do you like the outdoors and nature? Then Wilderness Rocks is for you. Often, being in a different environment away from the pressures of the city allow us to see things in a different way. Wilderness Rocks is held twice a year.
Winter & Fall
Rec Room
A fun, safe, positive place to be during the evening hours. Join us for games, pool, watching TV and a light dinners and some great company.
6 -8 pm Mon-thurs.
Family Night
Whether you are a current youth or an ‘alumni’ of The Refuge, Family Night Dinner (Fri.) is our chance to connect with each one of you because we love to hear how our family is doing and how your week went.
6-8:00pm Fri.
Who We Are
We’d love to meet you and just so you know who we are, check out our staff team.
Amanda Armbruester
Amanda is our Administrative Assistant and handles donations, our database and volunteers and loves to play games
Mariah Cartwright
Mariah is one of our Rec. Room workers. She is always ready to serve.
Jocelynne Fothergill
Jocelynne is one of our Housing First for Youth Workers. Have a housing related issue or need housing, talk to her.
Arya Jahed
Arya is one of our Housing First for Youth Workers. Have a housing related issue or need housing, talk to her.
Clarence Keesman
Clarence is the executive director. Ask him about the trustee program, taxes, math and dad jokes.
Bria Martin
Brian is our program person and organizes fund events and activities at The Refuge. Got a great idea ... she wants to know.
Cindy Mills
Cindy works in the back office but is always available to talk to and a great person to sit with if you just need to smile.
Alex Misiaszek
Alex is our floor worker and loves to discuss deep issues.
Angie Sauve
Angie is our therapist and would love to meet with you to talk about difficulties you may be facing ... or just even if you wanted to talk about anything. She loves to listen.
Mariam Shekib
Mariam is one of our floor worker and is super easy to get to know. She'd love to chat with you over a cup of coffee.
Alex Smid
Alex is our director of social services. Ask her about bus tickets, ID, health and community support services.
Camille Strachan
Camille is one of our housing workers. If you have a housing issue please let her know.
Amy Suski
Amy is one of our housing workers and super chill. Speak to her about housing issues.
Joe Tyrrell
Joe is our floor worker and absolutely loves sports and Star Wars.
Taylor Uden
Taylor is one of our Housing First workers. Ask her about anything housing related.
Greg Van Staveren
Greg is our chef and loves to cook for you. He is married to Peggy and is a fantastic guy.
Peggy Van Staveren
Peggy is our floor manager and loves playing games, laughing and listening to you.