“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” ~Brené Brown I like to think I’m good at “preaching” about the power and strength of empathy and vulnerability in building a healthy world. I even talk about how empathy and vulnerability are foundational to the healing and restorative work at My Refuge House. Sometimes, I like […]
We have many stakeholders in My Refuge House (MRH). Some of you share your time. Some of you share your talents. Some of you share your prayers. Some of you share your friends. For all of this, we are thankful. Each of you plays a significant role in supporting the mission of My Refuge House. Many […]
“Home is where we start from, but home is also where we are bound for, the place we always seek” ~ David Steindl-Rast I’m heading home today…after a 14 hour direct flight from Cebu to Los Angeles, I will be with my husband and kiddos. I’m very eager to be with them as our family lost a favorite aunt in Virginia this past week, […]
Dear Lovely Supporters of My Refuge House, Nicole turned 12-years-old right before she moved into My Refuge House (MRH) last November. She has not talked much about the cybersex trafficking she survived when her eldest sister pimped her, and this is the first time she has been separated from her family. While she was […]
We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song. ~ St. Augustine of Hippo These words can seem so simple, but a second glance begs us to dig a little deeper into the paradox that Easter can represent. Before I met the girls of My Refuge House, I worked with a mom in […]
If you are reading this, you are a character in the story of My Refuge House. Whether it’s your first or your 395th time clicking on our website, you are part of our story. A spark of curiosity caused you to click a link in order to read more. This is the spark that unites us. The tiniest spark of […]
This is the story of how I recently learned a lesson in bravery, fundraising, and storytelling from my six year old. For those of you who may not know, when asked what I “do”, my first answer is usually, “I’m a family therapist.” When I became the CEO of My Refuge House last April, I […]
We hope you’ll join us on March 22nd for PAINTING A NEW FUTURE, our Annual Benefit Dinner and Auction. It promises to be an inspiring evening, featuring art from We Step Into The Light and the inspiring stories of our girls. Tuesday, March 22, 2016 6:00 pm The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity 3321 Hyland Avenue Costa […]
Thank you for supporting our girls. You helped us accomplish a lot in 2015. Here’s a little glimpse by the numbers: 19 girls called MRH “Home” 6 high school graduates 6 girls started college 1 Girl Scout Troup started 2 buildings constructed 1 International conference presentation You can help make 2016 more memorable as […]
“God dropped a spark down into everyone, and if we find and fan it to a blaze, it’ll spring up and glow, like the sun, and light the wandering out of stony ways.” ~ John Masefield SPARK JOY! Since my first trip to meet the girls and staff of My Refuge House in Cebu, this […]
