The Refuge New Orleans

Here is how you can help and play a part in setting the captives free!

If you would like to donate monetarily please make checks out to Sojourn (memo: Refuge). 

Mail to : Refuge NOLA, 6100 Canal Blvd. New Orleans,LA 70124

Sponsor Michael

I have finally reached the point in which I need to devote more time to my neighbors in order to appropriately minister, and love on my neighbors in Central City. I am currently being financially supported at %10 of my monthly support goal and need your help to empower my neighbors to enjoy life to the full in Christ. I currently spend most of my time working a semi normal job doing workforce training with at risk adults, and teaching art for an after school program to make ends meet while I goto seminary. If you want information about my budget and allocation of funds let me know and I will happily show them to you. Please prayerfully consider financially partnering with me with a one time donation, or monthly donations. I thank you in advance for your support.

Even $10 a month makes a big difference. That means you bought 3 meals for a child!

Needs

    • Books - Bibles(NIV, ESV), Kids Bibles, Children's Ministry Material, Coloring Books, 
    • Games, Board games, card games, etc. Wii multi-player games
    • Children's books K-12 particularly needing elementary grade level books to help the neighborhood kids practice reading.
    • Hardi plank siding for neighbor Tess's house.
    • Under House foam Insulation for personal home $1228.00 
    • Volunteers,

Community House and Transitional Housing $60K.

This will help us make the first step to creating positive social change within Central City, New Orleans through Christ in the most dangerous neighborhood, in the most dangerous city in America. $60,000 will help us start to make moves on creating a volunteer/guest housing and community space in the neighborhood so that we can be more effective with ministry and helping our neighbors. The onset of gentrification is probably coming up soon, and many of my lovely residents will probably get crushed by increases in rent. Therefore, I want to develop a housing place where, residents can live at an affordable rate and for us to help them save and hopefully purchase a house in the neighborhood. I would love for this house to also be a place where people can be housed to learn more about just and well balanced inner city community development ministry. 

$40k = Property 

$20k = Renovation

Urban microFarm $11k

My backyard has become too small. I have started to learn about urban farming and food security because of my job, and by realizing how easy it is to engage youth in something meaningful and productive like gardening and fixing bikes. A neighbor and I both like to garden, and my neighborhood youth love to play in the dirt as well. They are also starting to love eating veggies, which is often not a component of an urban poor's diet. My neighbor and I would love to show, demonstrate and offer organic, fresh produce. 

$8k = lot

$3k = Tools and supplies

Future Development

 I am in talks with city government about property to start some urban farm lots on for the company I work for.  In this process I have also found other really great property that is located on the O.C. Haley Boulevard Main Street, which is also a historic district. This street was once the main thoroughfare for African-Americans to do business and shop without any pressure. There is currently 3 great empty lots, and a 2 story building that is up for a good price. These lots would be a great place to develop into urban farm lots to train and educate people in the neighborhood, as well as provide jobs. The building would be a great possible future meeting location, but would probably serve a greater role in being used as housing, store front, or gallery and studio space. The acquisition of these properties would be around $60,000 and renovation of the building would probably be $30,000.

Prayer:

Pray for Property and Finances: I have purchased a couple of tax deeds on properties in the neighborhood. One of which is a 4 bedroom 2 bath house that I would like to renovate, to serve as Community and volunteer space. The deal is a bit tricky, and trying to navigate the system is odd. The Owner of the property is selling for $46,000, in which I would like to negotiate a deal in which he would reduce the price with compensation of a tax deduction. Pray for wisdom as I pursue this property, and another empty lot.

Pray for balance for me between work, school, spending time in the neighborhood, and rest.
 

Pray for opportunities and places of sabbath and rest to open up. My budget is often pinched, and doesn't allow for much travel or rest to be able to reflect and re-evaluate.
 

Pray for my neighborhood kids that come to the house to hang out. Their names are Muffin, Anthony, Stephen, Dondre, and Roger. They often help me in my garden and I often cook meals for them, and take them with me to places just to hang out. I want to be able to do bible studies with them but it is hard to fit into the schedule with the art classes that I teach after school.

 Pray for People: people to join in on the vision in reaching the neighborhood in a united effort, of relational ministry and creating positive social change from within through Christ. Pray for mission teams, to be able to come down and then go home to tell the story of the neighborhood. Pray for committed people to help with the kids, and people to help engage adults and youth.
 

Pray for Safety, and for no fear: I have realized that there is a possibility that I could die sooner than expected. Especially since I am so involved in trying to understand my neighborhood, and neighbors. There is one person of whom might be a drug dealer that is not terribly friendly. Please pray for wisdom in trying to address the issues of drugs within the neighborhood. It is often a last resort, or necessity for them to be able to make it.
 

Pray for the Me in developing disciples, and for a person that is indigenous can rise and begin to tell of the love and hope of Christ.