THERE ARE NO RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENTS TO ACCESS OUR OUTREACH SERVICES. ANYONE OF ANY RELIGION, FAITH, SEXUAL ORIENTATION ETC ARE SERVED NO QUESTIONS ASKED. WE ARE A HELP TO OUR CITY BECAUSE WE ARE CALED OF GOD TO DO SO AND BECAUSE WE LOVE WOODSTOCK AND ITS PEOPLE.
Everyone deserves love and companionship!
How We Started The Refuge!
One Sunday morning during prayer before church Pastor René felt the Lord saying that TOTCM would have a ministry that would care for the homeless and drug addicted that would be called the Refuge. The church decided to begin vision meetings that went no where. Several months later on a very cold and stormy winters day, Pastor stepped into her nice warm building and decided that it was ridiculous to have all of this space sit empty while people were struggling and cold. So she called Rob Montgomery into her office and told him we would be opening our doors the following week. They went into high gear preparing for a one day a week respite from the elements. While Pastor René was on a weekend getaway, Covid hit full force and the shut down began. Without a second thought, she called for the Refuge to open its doors five days a week to make sure our friends had a warm place to be and meals every day. Many sacrifices have been made by many people to ensure the safety of our friends that visit the Refuge, and it has been well worth it. We have continued to serve our community in this way with some amendments. Now that society has opened up again, and for respect for downtown businesses, we have gone mobile. We cook on site at our building called The River on Dundas St. Woodstock. We then transport food to different locations such as tent encampments. We have been able to partner with others to help many of our friends get into rehab. All of our services are free and are run by many volunteers. See below for a comprehensive list of the services we offer.
THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION AT THE REFUGE. NO MATTER WHAT WALK OF LIFE, ALL ARE WELCOME.
ANY PERSON OF ANY FAITH OR LACK THERE OF, ANY SEXUAL ORIENTATION, ANY BACKGROUND WHATSOEVER ARE WELCOME TO RECEIVE OUR SERVICES.
There is an amazing team of volunteers working along side our lead ministers, each of them with their own story and so much love for our friends!
Caring for our communities most vulnerable is important to us!
Caring for our communities most vulnerable is important to us!
We believe in making a difference in our own community. We love beyond the walls of our church. We reach out and love those that Jesus came for: the hurting, the sick, the weak, the fatherless, the lost, the broken etc.
At The Refuge, we care for those currently experiencing homelessness and active drug addiction with no strings attached.
When we look at these precious people, we see someone's child, someone's mom, dad, sister, brother etc.
We see value based on the fact that they were created in the likeness and image of God just like you and I were.
We see potential. We see a promise. We see purpose.
"I recall being in Walmart watching a little girl about 6 years old twirling so carefree, not a problem in the world. Immediately I thought of the precious ones at The Refuge. That used to be them. They too deserve to find that carefree, loved and secure inner child. And I choose to be part of their healing. No matter what, they will receive love here, they will find peace here, they will find family here." -Pastor René McIntyre
See home page for pictures of love in action.
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Go to give page to donate choose the refuge drop down within giving page
What we offer to those experiencing homelessness and current drug addiction:
- Lunch every week day
- Court Support
- Limited practical needs ex. sleeping bags, coats, hats, mitts, hot paws, etc
- Support and resources for those ending incarceration
- Personal mentorship for those wishing to overcome addition and poverty
- Assistance facilitating family reconciliation
- FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, BELONGING, LOVE
- Connection to other resources and community supports
- Help getting into rehab in other cities