Community Initiatives

The Place of Refuge was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1999. For years, until February 2008, it operated out of shared and borrowed spaces at various sites across North Philadelphia. Late in 2007 — in collaboration with local government, as well as numerous area foundations and donors — this small group of counselors and volunteers set out to turn a vacant building on the 2900 block of 5th Street into a vibrant counseling and training center. What you can see now in this beautiful facility is something that has touched the lives of many families in this neighborhood in a truly meaningful way.

In addition to providing quality counseling, the other half of our mission focuses on local caregivers. We offer Employee Assistance programs to local medical centers and other agencies. We conduct training workshops and educational seminars, develop support groups, and run lay-counseling programs. In each effort, we do all we can to make the best possible use of resources already established in the community.

Refuge is made up of a multicultural group of psychologists, counselors, social workers, and volunteers. It is of vital importance that individuals and families in the most at-risk groups have access to services that acknowledge stress related to a complex matrix of political, social, spiritual, and cultural influences.

Professional services are available for

• Trauma
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Sexual Abuse
• Family Therapy
• Grieving
• And other mental health needs