Children's Home
Learn about our Children's Home
Scroll all the way down to see our board + staff & House Parents
Welcome!
Currently, housing is made possible by individual house parents, who lovingly open their homes to these children in need. Our Vision is to expand our ability to house children and run our programs more effectively. We're currently in search for a property that fits our needs, and will allow our full vision to flourish.
This journey of making our vision a reality requires working together and creating a community of support.
Services
A Safe Place to call Home
Our Children's Home is able to take in babies, children, & teens of all ages, who are in difficult situations and need a safe, loving place to stay.
Parents have the opportunity to place their children with COR, temporarily or permanently.
These children can be placed by biological parents or guardians, temporarily, permanently, or create an adoption plan.
Our Programs serve to enhance the lives of the children here, providing basic life skills, emotional\spiritual support, & special learning opportunities that will support their growth & wellbeing.
Our House Parents
Our House parents are here because they have a heart for vulnerable children, who need to be loved and cared for in every way possible. They strive daily to meet their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. They provide a secure, loving atmosphere for every child in their care and make it a priority for every child to feel at home and a part of our family.
House parents will be provided a home and the children in each cottage will be raised as their own children. Each of these are referred to as a Family Unit.
Our house parents are background checked and are CPR/First Aid, and Trauma Certified and continuing education trainings and classes every year.
Housing for Women: LTL Girls
A program to be released soon!
Women will be given a safe place to live while they are taken through a program that fosters growth and a love for life. This program will cover spiritual & emotional needs, while also teaching needed life skill
Additional support groups/programs that will help you find healing, love, and belonging.
This program is for Women experiencing unexpected pregnancies, recently had a baby, parenting, choosing adoption, or have had an abortion and need a safe place to heal.
Programs
RUFFuge Program
We will be collaborating with Cities of RUFFuge Animal Rescue to provide these children with animal companions that will support their emotional/mental health. They will have the opportunity to help train these animals and care for them. This will foster individual growth, learning responsibility, and provide a deep level of connection with the animals they care for. Research shows that children benefit from time with animals as they often allow themselves to be open & receptive towards pets. Animals are often used for therapy, as being loved by and loving an animal often helps support healing and happiness.
Learning & School
We offer a special opportunity for our COR children to become students at Extreme Kids Christian School. There they will receive education tailored to fit their individual needs. With a master-based program, they will learn based off of where they are at academically and can move at their own pace. In a home/family environment, they'll be encouraged to pursue their interests, embrace their creativity, and discover their God-given gifts & callings.
Children at COR will also have access to additional programs and creative learning activities, such as tending gardens, crafts, the arts, and more
Teen Programs
In the State system, teens are typically overlooked and many times "age out" without feeling ready or prepared to face the world alone. They shouldn't be given up on just because they're getting older and are "aging out".
We seek to change this. Here at COR, no teen will be thrown out because of age, instead they will have the opportunity to stay where they're loved and enter our program, that will teach them life skills and prepare them for the responsibilities of adulthood, all while in the comfort of a loving home & family.
Meet our team
Heather Soo hon
Founder & Executive Director
God gave her a vision 27 years ago for a place called Cities of Refuge Children's Home, the plans and how it should look and function. She spends every day making sure to make that vision & dream a reality. She loves children with all her heart and loves fulfilling the heart of God.
if you are here much you may hear
her say,
"It takes teamwork to make the dream work!"
Other areas she works in:
Serves as a doula in our community, Lactation Counselor, Home studies, Adoption Plans, Pregnancy & Parenting Classes, and so much more!
Destiny Soo hon
Board Member/ Prenatal Services & Community Outreach Specialist
Since the beginning of Cities of Refuge, she has been passionate about seeing this vision come to past! She has worked long hours to support the mission & vision of COR.
Her current work includes:
Researching Resources, Community Outreach Projects, Provides information about our Services, including our Pregnancy Supportive Services, making needed connections, social media content, and more!
She's always thinking about new ways we can be more effective and reach those who need our support!
Brian Gehrish
Board Member
When asked why he is supporting COR he said, "To provide an opportunity for children to flourish in a crazy, chaotic world. Allowing them to explore the vast faith-filled life that God has opened to us all".
Brian has a true heart to see people saved and safe in a world of danger. He has a passion to see lives changed and set on fire for God.
Yen Soo hon
Board Member
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Christy Wooldridge
Board Member
When asked why she's supporting Cities of Refuge, she said, "I've always felt that God wanted me to do something on this line. God gave me a vision of a place that had lines of cabins that helped families & children. In the vision there was a central [main] building where everyone came to eat, a church where people went to worship, and it was a place where parents could temporarily come to learn how to parent and not be abusive, and the children would be safe. I know that was the vision God gave me and what we're doing here is so similar to that vision because we're reaching to help these children".
Asia Soo hon
Social Media Assistant
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