Place of Refuge

11/04/2026

November is Homeless Awareness Month. Today, we want to open up an important conversation: Why would someone choose to sleep outside instead of going to a homeless shelter?

Even when shelter beds are available, some individuals remain outdoors. Here is why:

❤️ 1. Safety & Fear: Past experiences with theft, violence, or intimidation in shelters make the familiar outdoors feel safer.
❤️ 2. Mental Health: PTSD and severe anxiety can make tight spaces filled with strangers overwhelming.
❤️ 3. Separation: Many shelters separate couples, breaking apart crucial emotional support systems.
❤️ 4. Pets are Family: Pets provide security and comfort. Many would rather stay outside than abandon them.
❤️ 5. Rules & Barriers: Rigid curfews and restrictions can lock out those working irregular hours.
❤️ 6. Loss of Belongings: Leaving a backpack or cart unattended often means losing everything they own.
❤️ 7. Personal Control: When you’ve lost your home, job, and stability, choosing where you sleep is one of the few choices left.
❤️ 8. Past Trauma: Negative past shelter experiences leave many unwilling to return.

Please understand: Sleeping outside isn't always a refusal of help or a comfortable choice. It is often a person trying to survive with incredibly limited options.
How Place of Refuge (POR) wants to help:
While we don’t have a physical building yet, our ultimate vision is to create a space that eliminates these exact barriers. We want to build a true refuge where no one has to choose between their safety, their pets, their loved ones, or their belongings just to get a roof over their head.

Will you stand with us this month to build a foundation of hope? Every gift brings us one step closer to securing a physical space that breaks down these barriers.

👉🏾Support our vision and help us build a Refuge here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=HGW325V8J8KFN

Help support Place of Refuge Corp by donating or sharing with your friends.

11/03/2026

November is Homeless Awareness Month, and while Place of Refuge is actively working toward establishing a permanent shelter in Muskegon, our mission to keep our neighbors safe and warm starts right now.

💜 We don't have our physical building yet, but we are partnering with other local heroes to provide immediate, life-saving winter relief.

We are locking arms with The Giving Table and Hustlin Heights for our Winter Warming Efforts, and we need your hands, your ideas, and your heart to make a temporary safety net possible before the freezing weather hits.

Come to one (or both!) of our upcoming Volunteer Meet & Greets at Hustlin Heights in Muskegon Heights:
📅 Thursday, November 12th | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📅 Thursday, November 19th | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

This is your chance to connect, share ideas, and help us identify potential overnight warming locations in the area. Whether you want to volunteer on the ground or join our planning team, ALL are welcome!

❄️ Looking ahead? Mark your calendars!
On Sunday, December 6th, we will be hosting a Coat and Winter Accessories Drive. Keep saving your gently used or new heavy coats, insulated gloves, thick socks, and hats so we can distribute them directly to those unsheltered this winter. Check back for updates and drop off locations.

A building is made of bricks, but a true refuge is built by a compassionate community. Let's make sure no one is left out in the cold.
📍 Meet & Greet Location: Hustlin Heights, Muskegon Heights

💻 Learn more or connect with us online: https://sites.google.com/placeofrefugemuskegon.org/place-of-refuge-muskegon/home

Support our mission by giving here 👉🏾 https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=HGW325V8J8KFN

11/02/2026

November is Homelessness Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the realities of housing insecurity and remember that everyone deserves a safe place to call home 💜🏠
Here at Place of Refuge, our ultimate mission is to build a lasting sanctuary for those in need—and we need your help to make it a reality. We are actively working toward providing a shelter, but we cannot do it alone. Every brick, every dollar, and every donation brings us one step closer to opening our doors.
This month, we invite you to stand with us as a beacon of hope. Here is how you can make an immediate impact right now:
🏢 Support Our Building Fund: Your financial gifts directly fund our campaign to establish a permanent shelter in our community. Let’s build a foundation of hope together.
🧥 Save the Date for Our Winter Drive: Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 6! We will be collecting coats, hats, clothes, and hygiene items to support those braving the cold this winter.
🗣️ Spread the Word: Share this post to help raise awareness for our mission and expand our community of supporters.
Change always starts with community. Together, we can build a future where no one has to walk the path to stability alone.
👉 Click the link to give to the Building Fund: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=HGW325V8J8KFN

11/01/2026

“I’m preparing to sleep in the park.”

Meet Annette
This was her answer when I asked where she would go after being discharged from a local shelter.

November is Homelessness Awareness Month, but for our neighbors sleeping outside, this is daily life.

Some are turned away or discharged. Others feel unable to use existing shelters for various reasons. This isn’t about blame. It’s about the need for more options.

Place of Refuge is striving to be a place to go when there is no other place to go—a safe haven where stability, dignity, and hope can be restored.

Please help us make Place of Refuge a reality. Donate, partner with us, or share our mission. Our neighbors need a safe place to begin again.

10/30/2026

Facebook help us wish board member and councilman, William Kitchen, a very Happy Birthday 🎉

10/29/2026

🍁 Happy Thankful Thursday, Place of Refuge Family! 🍁
Today, we are pause to look back on the week and count our blessings. We are deeply thankful for our incredible community—for every volunteer, supporter, and friend who brings light and hope into our space. Your kindness makes our mission possible every single day.
Take a moment with us today: What is one thing you are grateful for this week? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
Lives Here

10/27/2026

Talk About It Tuesday: Balancing Rules and Human Connection 💬
We recently spoke with a woman in our community who shared her perspective on navigating homelessness. She mentioned being discharged from a local shelter because she shared a sandwich with another resident.
While we don’t know the specific details or the exact policies of the organization involved, her story highlights a critical conversation happening across the country regarding emergency shelters: How do we balance necessary facility rules with basic human connection?
Running a high-capacity shelter is incredibly difficult. Organizations often have to enforce strict guidelines around health codes, food safety, liability, and equity to keep everyone safe. But sometimes, these rigid structures can leave residents feeling isolated, even when they are just trying to show kindness or look out for one another.
Today, we want to look at the bigger picture and hear from you:
• How can organizations maintain necessary structure while still preserving a culture of dignity and mutual support?
• What does a "people-first" approach to community guidelines look like to you?
Let’s keep the conversation respectful and constructive in the comments below! 👇

10/24/2026

💙 Building Connections. Sharing Our Vision. Restoring Hope.

We are grateful for the opportunity to meet with Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and share the heart and mission behind Place of Refuge!

During our conversation, we had the opportunity to discuss our vision of creating a safe haven where stability, dignity, and hope can be restored for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Muskegon County.

We believe meaningful change begins with conversations, connections, and a shared commitment to strengthening our communities.

As Place of Refuge continues to grow, we remain committed to raising awareness, building relationships, and advocating for those who need hope and a helping hand.

Every conversation is an opportunity to make a difference. Every connection is a step toward greater impact. 💙