Family Refuge Village

02/20/2026

Thanks, ABEP, for highlighting our CEO Lynn Lewis's words of wisdom as a guest on Beyond Table Talk last year! You all are amazing community partners who are continuously doing the work! 👏🏾 👏🏾👏🏾

Check out the talk below!

02/12/2026

$14 > 🍫...

Let’s do the math. 🧮 $14. That’s a fast-food lunch. A movie ticket. A box of drugstore chocolates. But at Family Refuge Village? It’s a lifeline. This Black History Month, we are seeking 28 village keepers to pledge $14/month to support our families today and ensure a happy, healthy family for tomorrow.

So why 28? Well...for the history. And why $14? Because... love is an action word. ❤️ For every new monthly donor secured, we will fill each puzzle piece of the hearts below with a picture of a future family united in love and supported by the village. We already have 1 new monthly donor today! Will YOU be the next to join the Heart of the Village?

🔗 Become a monthly donor at the link here: https://familyrefugevillage.ddock.gives/?showBg=

01/28/2026

Hey Village! Be sure to join ABEP live tonight as they feature our very own board member McGlory as a panelist discussing Health & Financial Fitness.

Streaming LIVE • Wednesday, January 28 • 6 PM CST

Moderator
Sherron Taylor
ABEP Task Force Member | Director of Civic Impact & Strategic Initiatives, State of Minnesota

Panelists
Dr. James Thompson
Medical Director, Healthy Living With A Vision Foundation

Carmita McGlory, LICSW
Senior Psychiatric Social Worker, NorthPoint Health & Wellness

This month’s Beyond Table Talk dives into how health and finances are deeply connected, and why one cannot thrive without the other. Join us for an conversation on wellness, possible financial stress (and how to fix it), and practical pathways toward stability.

12/25/2025

From our Village to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🥰

12/16/2025

We can't wait for you all to join our CEO, Lynn Lewis, and community leaders and village supporters, Houston and Cannon, tomorrow, December 17th, at 6 pm CST for ABEP's next episode of Beyond Table Talk. This live streaming episode will focus on MOVING FAMILIES FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY.
Check out all the details below ⬇️!

SEASON OF HOPE: MOVING FAMILIES FROM CRISIS TO STABILITY

Join us streaming live on December 17 at 6PM CST for Beyond Table Talk, a conversation about the real challenges Black and Brown families are facing and how those challenges affect family stability and caring for children.

Moderator:

- Sherron Taylor, ABEP Task Force Member and Director of Civic Impact and Strategic Initiatives, State of Minnesota

Panelists:

- Jonie Cannon, Urban League Twin Cities, Director for the Center for the Advancement of the Black Family

- Kelis Houston, Village Arms, Founder and Executive Director

- Lynn Lewis, Family Refuge Village, CEO

Our panelists will talk about what they are seeing in the community — from housing and financial stress to family preservation and the policies meant to protect families and keep them together.

This conversation focuses on practical insight, shared experiences, and ways to support families as they move from crisis toward stability.

Tune in live on Facebook, Youtube, and LinkedIn.

Here's the link to register for free: https://ow.ly/pqFV50XIKX0

Hashtags:

12/02/2025

✨ This Giving Tuesday, Family Refuge Village is on a mission to raise $6,000 by December 31st—and we need YOU to help us kick it off! ✨

For 3 years, we’ve been dedicated to supporting African American families in North Minneapolis, and surrounding communities, ensuring our children have the strong, healthy foundations they deserve. From advocating for fair child welfare practices to creating spaces for joy and healing, your support keeps our village growing.

🔥 THE GOOD NEWS: We have a $3,000 match! That means your donation from today until December 31st (or until we reach $6,000) goes TWICE as far. 🔹 $25 becomes $50 🔹 $100 becomes $200 🔹 $500 becomes $1,000

Help us unlock the full match and start our year-end giving season strong.

Let’s build a future today where every family has strong roots tomorrow!

DONATE HERE: https://familyrefugevillage.ddock.gives/?showBg=

12/02/2025

Are YOU ready to make a difference? Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday!

At Family Refuge Village, we believe that when you strengthen the root, you strengthen the whole tree. As we prepare for 2026, our goal is to raise $6,000, beginning tomorrow, December 2nd until December 31st, to continue our critical work with supporting African American families that are at-risk of being critically involved within the child welfare system in North Minneapolis and surrounding communities.

🎉 Exciting News: Several generous donor have agreed to MATCH the first $3,000 raised!
Get your giving shoes ready. Beginning tomorrow, and until Dec. 31st, your generosity has double the power.

Mark your calendars or get a head start by donating today at: https://familyrefugevillage.ddock.gives/?showBg=

06/07/2025

MEET OUR SPEAKERS PART 🪴🪴🪴!
It is not too late to register for Family Refuge Village's community conference, "Cultivating Strong Roots in Black Families"!
Tomorrow, from 9am-3pm UROC University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center, we have several powerhouse panelist lined-up to provide the real, real on what Black fatherhood looks like today!
Be sure to check out our panelist for "Exploring the realities of Black Fatherhood Today":
Domally
Galloway Harvey Linder
Find out more about the panelist in the graphic below!
_______________________________________________________________________
✨ This community conference is open to everyone. The cost of this event is FREE! While attendance is free, we would be grateful for a ticket registration donation of $25, or any amount you feel comfortable contributing. Your generous donation directly supports our ongoing program services for our clients and our outreach initiatives within the community, helping us keep these vital resources available at no charge.
If you are unable to make a donation at this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We are committed to ensuring that everyone who wishes to attend can do so without any barriers. Click on the link below to secure your ticket today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-linking-hands-to-fortify-the-village-community-conference-tickets-1328716931109?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

✨ Interested in becoming a sponsor for our conference? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details!
✨ Want to be apart of our amazing lineup of vendors? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details!
_______________________________________________________________________
✨ The mission of Family Refuge Village is to develop an infrastructure that mobilizes the strengths of African American churches and community organization in North Minneapolis, and surrounding communities, to construct a neighborhood-based wellbeing model that promotes child safety and family preservation. ✨

06/06/2025

MEET OUR SPEAKERS PART ✌!

Don't have FOMO! Attending the Family Refuge Village community conference, "Cultivating Strong Roots in Black Families", tomorrow is a must!
On this Saturday, June 7th from 9am-3pm at UROC University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center, we have several powerhouse panelist lined-up to tell their stories on healing while navigating Black fatherhood!
Be sure to check out our panelist for "Healing Forward: Black Fathers, Separation & Raising Resilient Children":
Marcus X Smith
Moore Harvey Linder
Find out more about the panelist in the graphic below!
_______________________________________________________________________
✨ This community conference is open to everyone. The cost of this event is FREE! While attendance is free, we would be grateful for a ticket registration donation of $25, or any amount you feel comfortable contributing. Your generous donation directly supports our ongoing program services for our clients and our outreach initiatives within the community, helping us keep these vital resources available at no charge.
If you are unable to make a donation at this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We are committed to ensuring that everyone who wishes to attend can do so without any barriers. Click on the link below to secure your ticket today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-linking-hands-to-fortify-the-village-community-conference-tickets-1328716931109?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
✨ Interested in becoming a sponsor for our conference? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details!
✨ Want to be apart of our amazing lineup of vendors? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details!
_______________________________________________________________________
✨ The mission of Family Refuge Village is to develop an infrastructure that mobilizes the strengths of African American churches and community organization in North Minneapolis, and surrounding communities, to construct a neighborhood-based wellbeing model that promotes child safety and family preservation. ✨

06/06/2025

At this year's community conference, this Saturday, June 7th from 9am-3pm UROC University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center, Family Refuge Village has several powerhouse speakers lined-up to share their amazing insights into several topic areas uplifting Black families!
Be sure to check out our ⚡Lightning Round Speakers⚡ tackling topics under the umbrella of "Beyond Surviving: Cultivating Thriving Black Families for a Brighter Future":
⚡ Edwards-Youth & Mentorship
⚡ Robbins-Economic Mobility
⚡ Warren-Child Wellbeing
⚡ McPherson-Policy
_______________________________________________________________________
✨ This community conference is open to everyone. The cost of this event is FREE! While attendance is free, we would be grateful for a ticket registration donation of $25, or any amount you feel comfortable contributing. Your generous donation directly supports our ongoing program services for our clients and our outreach initiatives within the community, helping us keep these vital resources available at no charge.
If you are unable to make a donation at this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We are committed to ensuring that everyone who wishes to attend can do so without any barriers. Click on the link below to secure your ticket today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-linking-hands-to-fortify-the-village-community-conference-tickets-1328716931109?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
✨ Interested in becoming a sponsor for our conference? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details!
✨ Want to be apart of our amazing lineup of vendors? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details!
_______________________________________________________________________
✨ The mission of Family Refuge Village is to develop an infrastructure that mobilizes the strengths of African American churches and community organization in North Minneapolis, and surrounding communities, to construct a neighborhood-based wellbeing model that promotes child safety and family preservation. ✨

06/04/2025

The countdown is ON! ⏳
✨Only 3 days left to register for Family Refuge Village's annual Linking Hands to Fortify the Village Community Conference at UROC University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center this SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH, 9AM-3PM. This year, we're focusing on empowering Black fathers and building a healthy future for our families with the conference theme of "Cultivating Strong Roots in Black Families". Whether you're a community elder, someone with lived experiences in the child welfare system, faith leader, mental health professional, policy advocate, small business owner or a passionate community member in North Minneapolis and the surrounding communities, your voice is vital! Let's create a safe space to learn, share, and grow.

✨ This community conference is open to everyone. The cost of this event is FREE! While attendance is free, we would be grateful for a ticket registration donation of $25, or any amount you feel comfortable contributing. Your generous donation directly supports our ongoing program services for our clients and our outreach initiatives within the community, helping us keep these vital resources available at no charge.
If you are unable to make a donation at this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We are committed to ensuring that everyone who wishes to attend can do so without any barriers. Click on the link below to secure your ticket today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-linking-hands-to-fortify-the-village-community-conference-tickets-1328716931109?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

✨ Interested in becoming a sponsor for our conference? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details!

✨ Want to be apart of our amazing lineup of vendors? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details!
_______________________________________________________________________
✨ The mission of Family Refuge Village is to develop an infrastructure that mobilizes the strengths of African American churches and community organization in North Minneapolis, and surrounding communities, to construct a neighborhood-based wellbeing model that promotes child safety and family preservation. ✨

01/28/2025

Yesterday we celebrated the homegoing of our beloved friend and team member Priscilla Brown-Carrington. Her dedication to serving the clients of Family Refuge Village and the community-at-large with grace and humility was unmatched. Priscilla's light will be missed but the impact of her service to others will continue to shine on!

Rest well faithful servant.