Mesa, AZ – House of Refuge is thrilled to announce a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Teen Center, established to serve youth participating in the agency’s transitional housing program for homeless families. An entire home in the neighborhood was successfully converted into an exciting gathering place for residents aged 13 to 17 to enjoy activities that blend tutoring, team‐ building, and life‐skills development with field trips, games, and epic Nerf Blaster wars.
Grand Opening festivities will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 16, 2023 at the 6840 E. Ursula location in the center of the House of Refuge campus near Williams Field and Power Roads.
Mesa Mayor John Giles has accepted the honor of wielding the ceremonial ribbon‐cutting scissors. Members of the City Councils and Chambers of Commerce have been invited from the Cities of Mesa and Chandler, along with the Towns of Gilbert and Queen Creek. Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson has RSVP’d early, as has Mesa City Council Member Jenn Duff. A variety of influential leaders from throughout the East Valley are anticipated to be in attendance.
The Donald C. Brace Foundation, the Arizona Coyotes, and CCS Presentation Systems, Inc. generously contributed funding and equipment for the Teen Center and Youth Engagement Program. House of Refuge President and CEO, Kayla Kolar, hopes to have representatives of each organization join in the festivities so that she may thank them personally.
“We are grateful for the support of the community in providing expanded services at this crucial time in the lives of our teenage residents,” explained Ms. Kolar, “as we strive to interrupt potential future cycles of multi‐generational poverty and homelessness.”
About House of Refuge, Inc.
Located on 20 acres in southeast Mesa on a portion of the former Williams Air Force Base, House of Refuge is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that provides dignified transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness. Skilled case management and crucial wrap‐around supportive services assist residents as they work to achieve self‐sufficiency and obtain stable housing. For more information, visit https://houseofrefuge.org//.
