Donate

2018 IMPACT REPORT

The Refuge Center’s mission is to offer affordable, professional counseling services to empower, educate and support individuals, couples and families in need. 

Watch Our Video

Executive Director & Co-Founder

Amy Alexander, LMFT

Thirteen years ago and every year since, you have said “yes” to the commitment of creating a place where people could come find respite, emotional care, and even transformation during the darkest of storms in their lives. Counseling helps release people from the burdens, barriers, and even shame stories that keep them from experiencing freedom. And it is a reminder: you are not alone in this.

Read more from Amy
Learn more
About The Refuge Center for Counseling

The Refuge Center for Counseling opened in December 2005 as the vision of its founders Amy Alexander and Jennifer Gillett. Amy and Jennifer had discovered that there were few opportunities for affordable counseling in the area, as many local therapists charge $100 – $175+ per session. They wanted to offer therapy to those who could not afford those fees, so they created a sliding-scale fee structure that ranges from $25 – $110 per session and is based on each individual’s income level.

The Refuge Center 2018 “About Us” Video

Read about our mission and history.

Read about the counseling services available, all on a sliding scale based on income.

Current staff, interns and post-master’s volunteers at The Refuge Center.

Current Members. 

Click here to read letter from the 2018 Board Chair, Nicole Smith.

The Refuge Center collaborates with eight other local and international nonprofits for a greater impact. 

Your gifts provided hope through counseling.

Click Here for Full Client Stats & Demographics

The Randy Clark Donor Recognition Society

Randy Clark is one of The Refuge Center’s founding board members, and he provided seed money for the agency to grow and take root in the community during its first three years of operation. Members of the Randy Clark Donor Recognition Society are in the elite company of others who have made the highest level of commitment to The Refuge Center through their wise leadership, generous philanthropy and ongoing friendship. Their impact on The Refuge Center is immense, and their influence is widespread. The Randy Clark Donor Recognition Society is the backbone of The Refuge Center’s financial stability. We encourage donors to consider three-year pledges, but monthly, quarterly, yearly and one time tax-deductible gifts are gladly accepted on our secure website www.therefugecenter.org. Please visit this site to make an immediate donation and learn more about ways our community can invest in the well-being of others. 

Full List of 2018 donors and supporters

The Refuge Center for Counseling

2018 Board of Directors

Click here for a full listing of the 2018 Board of Directors

"I am reminded every time I attend a board meeting and every time I hear the story of a client whose life has been transformed due to counseling that hope grows at The Refuge Center."

Nicole Smith, Refuge Center Board Chair, 2018 Tweet
Read Nicole's letter
Board April 2018

Growing home

How you can get involved

In 2018, we launched our first-ever capital campaign “Growing Home.” With the demand for our services at an all-time high, it is imperative that we build our larger, more permanent home.

Watch our Growing Home Video

Hope Grows 2018
Our sixth annual fundraising dinner was held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Read More Here
Ribbon Cutting & Open House
We expanded in our current space in late summer 2018.
See Our Space
Stories of Hope
A few clients share their personal stories of hope and healing through counseling.
Watch Now
"Live Intentionally Speaker Series"
We held our second annual speaker series on Friday, April 20th titled “Surviving The Storm: Living Intentionally and Leaning into Transformation When Life is Hard With Speaker Jan Harrison”
Read More Here
The Big Payback
We participated once again in this online day of giving on May 2, 2018 put on by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Read More
The Refuge Center Honors
2018 Linda Bennett Compassionate Care Award Winner & Volunteer of the Year Award Winner.
Meet our honorees
2018 Hope Award
We were honored to give our annual Hope Award to Taj and Eddie George for embodying our mission to educate, empower and support those in need.
Watch Video
Previous
Next

We are grateful for the support of these organizations and foundations in 2018

Full List of 2018 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS
Story of Hope
"As a married man with two kids, I have to be a pillar of support and strength for my family. However, before calling The Refuge Center, I didn’t feel like I had any strength to offer. I couldn’t give my family what they needed because I was riddled with self-doubt, lack of motivation, depression, and unresolved family issues. Once I began seeing my therapist at The Refuge Center, I started believing that I could overcome all these issues. After several sessions (filled with hard work, lots of emotions, and tons of support/guidance), I feel equipped to handle any problem that I may encounter and I truly believe that my time at The Refuge Center changed my life for the better. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude and satisfaction."
Male Client, Age 28
Story of Hope
“The Refuge Center is one of the most spiritual and uplifting centers I have been to. I instantly felt safe and at ease. The counselors here care so much about the people who walk through their doors. Being a first time client in therapy, I have truly enjoyed and have grown so much more than I ever thought I could. Thank you for opening your doors and allowing me to feel safe and loved.”
Female Client, Age 29
Story of Hope
"The Refuge Center saved my life and my sobriety. Through EMDR and counseling, I was able to find healing and hope that I otherwise would not have had access to. The Refuge Center made appointments affordable and the counselors easy to connect with. I'm truly thankful for the blessings this group has brought into my life."
Male Client, Age 23
Story of Hope
"I came to The Refuge Center after coming to the acceptance that I was an alcoholic. My purpose was to identify why I would drink, even though I never enjoyed the taste. My therapist helped me to get to the core of why I drank and how to effectively deal with my problem. I coupled The Refuge Center with AA to begin my recovery. After 90 days, I feel armed with the tools to be the best that I can be. Thank you to my therapist and The Refuge Center for your compassion, empathy, and direction for my life."
Male Client, Age 52
Story of Hope
"Trust may always be an issue in my life. I don't know where I will be at the end of our time together, but I have found trust among these beautiful souls and hope. Thank you for caring for all of me and not just my recovery. Thank you for treating us and our stories with reverence and respect, and for not driving us to get better, but offering help and hope."
Wounded Heart Group Participant, Female, Age 51
Story of Hope
"For a long time I had been looking for a trained counselor who could help me with the issues of caring for my husband and his long-term Alzheimer’s. I could not afford their services. After my husband when to Heaven I continued to try to find a counselor. I heard of The Refuge Center and the sliding fee scale. It was affordable for me. I made an appointment and from my first counseling session until now I am amazed at how God has healed me in every area of my life. Much to my surprise we dealt first with the death of my daughter years earlier and then moved on to sessions concerning my husband. I call my time at The Refuge Center a quick work primarily because of my counselor’s skill as a therapist and her knowledge and use of EMDR."
Female Client, Age 75
Previous
Next