Building Refuge

Phase 4 is now complete and we are now in Phase 5, becoming debt-free!
We now have raised the necessary $9.1 Million needed to move into the building in the Fall of 2024 and make our new mortgage equal to our current rent.

We have raised and received a $500,000  match with the The Frist Foundation and have now raised $9.1 Million out of a total project cost of $13.1 Million.
We have raised and received a $250,000  match with the Cal Turner Family Foundation and almost $8.7 Million out of a total project cost of $13.1 Million. 

June 2024: We have POWER & WATER! Permanent power was hooked up at the campus in early June and water was connected to the building in late June. We finished interior drywall on first and second floors and are almost finished with indoor paint priming. The fire alarm system was installed. Completed framing on the enclosed group pavilion on the patio. Grading on the parking lot started. The elevator was delivered and installation will begin in the next couple of weeks. The ceramic tile was started in the bathrooms and the front entrance cedar staining began. The back patio area is being prepped for concrete to be framed & poured in the near future. Sign up for a tour – we are hosting tours of the campus each Tuesday at 4pm! We would love to show you the progress

 May 2024: Painters are prepping the exterior for painting and exterior painting begins! Continuing interior insulation installation. Drywall installation on the first floor begins! Entrance windows are being delivered in early May and installation will begin! HVAC units will begin to be installed by the 2nd week of May. We have currently raised $54k towards our $750k match!!

April 2024: We have received 2 matches for a total of $750k! We have a $250k match from The Cal Turner Family Foundation and a $500k match from a private donor, Randy Clark; we have currently raised 40k towards these matches.

Finished installation of board and baton exterior. Continued site grading, ready rock retaining wall, and outside stone veneer installation. Finished rock excavation for the fire line and began installation. Continued storm piping and sanitary line installation.

March 2024: Roof and Windows are in! Celebrated this milestone with our Dry-in Celebration/writing on the walls on march 5th! Began installing the outside stone veneer. Continued site grading and started the ready rock retaining walls. Continued rock excavation. Finished the North canopy entrance and the porch roof at the main entrance. Began the HVAC ductwork, continue the electrical and plumbing rough in. Finished spraying the roof insulation. Began installation of board and baton exterior.

February 2024: Framed the entrance and chimneys. Beginning window installation. Began installing the roofing. Interior framing continues.

We have now raised $7.5M!
Our dry-in celebration will take place on March 5th (Windows and roof are in!)

July 2023: We have now raised $6.9M total

June 2023: Match met! Site work began on campus! We have now raised $6.2M total!

April 2023: A local Foundation offered a match of $250k for funds that can be raised by June 15th!

Additional funds have come in and we have now raised $5.6M total!

March 2023: Refuge has a “Moving Dirt” ceremony to celebrate raising enough funds to do site and utility work at campus. Check out this video of the ceremony

December 2022: We have now raised $5.5M total!

September 2022: Refuge selects Solomon Builders to build campus and facility

August 2022: Contractor bids come in. Pricing for construction has increased significantly in the past 10 months due to inflation. Value engineering begins and 68 total items on project are adjusted to save money.

December 2021: We have now raised $2.5M total

September 2020: First land “Open House” held at the property as an opportunity to invite new friends and donors into The Refuge Center story!

January 2020: Refuge Center Board of Directors approves to pay off Long Lane land in full. Signage goes up on Long Lane- “Future Home of The Refuge Center for Counseling.”

August 2019: Close on Long Lane property

June 2019: Final vote from BOMA approves our requests for annexation and rezoning

September 2018: Kick Off Launch for the Growing Home Leadership Team.

September 2018: Refuge Center submits applications to The City of Franklin for annexation and rezoning of Long Lane.

July 2018: Made an offer on Long Lane property

March 2018: Second Feasibility Study completed

October 2016: Presented campus vision with rendering at Hope Grows.

July 2016: Conducted interviews for 3 architectural firms. Selected one firm (Bauer and Askew) and entered a service agreement.

May and June 2016: 5 focus groups held regarding campus vision. Feedback from those groups lead to facility design.

July 2015: First Feasibility study completed

July 2014: Begin searching for land (ultimately vetted 42 properties over 4 years)

Jan 2013: Refuge campus visioning began in strategic planning meetings.