Growing up close to Detroit, Michigan, Regina and her brother lived with her grandparents due to her parents’ alcoholism and drug addiction. Despite her grandparents’ incredible care, the pain of losing her parents resulted in Regina battling her own addictions, proving that love is not enough. Children who have experienced trauma also need intentional healing, which Regina finally found in her recovery community, which eventually led her to Jesus.
With 6 years of sobriety, Regina completed her Masters in Social Work and was working in Southern California when she visited Zimbabwe. After two weeks’ volunteering in villages and towns, Regina met a group of children living and working on the street, whose stories she immediately related to despite the differences in their cultures. Cancelling their planned Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant, Regina’s group instead hosted a dinner in their campsite for this special group of children. This magically special night resulted in Regina moving to Zimbabwe a few months later, to help the local church serve children living on the streets. Refuge was born with a vision to help equip local churches to bring hope and healing to hurting children.
Fifteen years later, Refuge continues to equip, empower and encourage local communities and churches in Zimbabwe to reach the hurting. Our programs support, equip and advocate for families (biological ,foster or adoptive) to thrive, so that every child has a safe, permanent, loving family. Through our partnerships, we bring hope and healing to hurting children in Zimbabwe and around the world. Regina’s life proves that every child is one caring adult away from a success story. Refuge believes that God puts the lonely in families and we work to ensure that these families are prepared to bring healing through love and connection.
Psalm 68:6 God sets the lonely in families