In order for anything to grow, it must be firmly planted.
With the need for counseling services at an all-time high, it is imperative that The Refuge Center build a larger, permanent home with the help of generous community partners.
With your help, The Refuge Center could serve significantly more in our community, 5000 clients in 40,000 counseling sessions, in this new home and with our collaborative nonprofit partners throughout Middle Tennessee and beyond. Imagine the impact of this many changed lives? Our clients share what this means for individuals, couples, children and families right here in our community.
We believe growth is not always just about “more” and “bigger” but is also about deeper and richer. Because of this, The Refuge Center’s 15,200 square foot facility and campus will be a holistic facility that is a physical manifestation of our culture of compassionate care. Plans include spaces like a prayer chapel, walking trails, a healing garden, and a large multi-purpose room for seminars and group activities. If you have questions about this new facility, please visit our FAQ page or reach out to us. We are happy to talk to you.
We strongly believe that no matter who you are, no matter what you have done, no matter what has been done to you, no matter how much your income is or where you live- when you come to The Refuge Center you deserve to have the most excellent care possible with maximum opportunity for healing.
The Timeline
Jan 2013: Refuge campus visioning began in strategic planning meetings.
July 2014: Begin searching for land (ultimately vetted 42 properties over 4 years)
July 2015: First Feasibility study completed
May and June 2016: 5 focus groups held regarding campus vision. Feedback from those groups lead to facility design.
July 2016: Conducted interviews for 3 architectural firms. Selected one firm (Bauer and Askew) and entered a service agreement.
October 2016: Presented campus vision with rendering at Hope Grows.
March 2018: Second Feasibility Study completed
July 2018: Made an offer on Long Lane property
September 2018: Refuge Center submits applications to The City of Franklin for annexation and rezoning of Long Lane.
September 2018: Kick Off Launch for the Growing Home Leadership Team.
June 2019: Final vote from BOMA approves our requests for annexation and rezoning
August 2019: Close on Long Lane property
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.”
September 2020: First land “Open House” held at the property as an opportunity to invite new friends and donors into The Refuge Center story!
December 2021: We have now raised $2.5M total
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.
September 2022: Refuge selects Solomon Builders to build campus and facility
December 2022: We have now raised $5.5M total!
Still to Come
March 9th 2023: Break Ground and start site work!
June 2023: Start building facility!
June 2024: Ribbon cutting on new campus and facility!
Next Financial Milestones
Need to raise $650k by May 2023 (to start building)
Need to raise $2.5M by June 2024 (to move into building)
Need to raise final $4M by June 2026 (to be debt free)
Building Refuge Leadership Team
Join us
Get involved
Contact us for more information about how you can play a role in our vision for the future,