Riverbend community gathers at Refuge 8th annual dinner to support area children
Refuge was joined for a night of hope and inspiration by nearly 350 community members at their 8th Annual Fundraising Dinner, hosted on the main campus of Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey on April 20, 2023. On a mission to change the lives of Madison County children affected by trauma, the non-profit holds their fundraising dinner during Child Abuse Prevention Month every April. Next year’s dinner will be held on April 18, 2024, once again at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey.
“Our community showed up for our most vulnerable population, and we can’t thank them enough for their support,” said Executive Director Erin Bickle. “Refuge is 100 percent community funded, so it truly takes all of us to provide the hope and healing needed by so many children in our area.”
Since 2014, Refuge has served children and families who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence. Refuge works to prevent the potential lifelong social, emotional, and physical impacts of trauma through a holistic approach that includes therapy, caregiver support, and community education.
“Every child deserves a healthy, happy childhood. It just takes one person to change the trajectory of a child’s life. Be the one,” Bickle added.
To provide hope for a child in the community or learn more about Refuge, child trauma, or how to “be the one” for a child, visit www.refuge4kids.org/donate/.
About Refuge
Refuge is a non-profit founded in 2014 that serves Madison County children and caregivers who have experienced trauma through child abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence and substance abuse. Refuge provides healing and hope through counseling and therapy, caregiver support and education, and community awareness.
