Wonderful volunteers full of resources and referrals for our community. Grateful for how kind they were to others.

If you are a family with a child who has special needs, please be extremely cautious before using House of Refuge. I had lived there since June 2025 with zero issues, but everything changed the moment my son needed medical help. On 9/24/25, I informed them that my 14-year-old autistic son had been admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility for suicidal ideations. Only two days later, on 9/26/25, staff member Sofia Spanarkel contacted me demanding that I sign over his private medical records. House of Refuge is not a medical or psychiatric facility and is not covered under HIPAA, so I asked for their specific concerns in writing. They never responded. Instead, without warning, I was issued a 30-day notice to vacate on 10/3/25. After months of having no issues, the timing makes the motive impossible to ignore. It felt like direct retaliation for refusing to hand over my child's sensitive medical information. When I submitted a formal complaint to the director, Kayla Kolar, I was not met with any explanation or concern--instead, I received an email stating that all communication must go through their lawyer. For a place that claims to support families in crisis, this response was deeply unsettling. Families dealing with medical emergencies deserve compassion and support, not intimidation or displacement. No parent should ever feel punished for protecting their child's privacy. Based on my experience, I strongly warn other families to think twice before relying on House of Refuge. read more

When you first get into the program you're assigned a case manager. They help with resources and handle your monthly housing inspections. I stayed here a couple of months, as the months went on case manager jeannie started asking questions that were very personal and uncomfortable. She was very unprofessional. It started to be awkward because she asked uncomfortable questions...so she scheduled over the phone meetings... There were a couple misunderstandings on her behalf. When they come into your home they're supposed to open cabinets and simply look for damage, or drugs and alcohol. (Luckily for me I don't drink or use drugs.) During a monthly inspection, Elasah went into my closet and touched my belongings...opening my brown paper bag with hair dye from sallys. (I'm assuming she thought she could find something in there lol) she continued going through my stuff...I have it on camera. Extremely unprofessional. CEO needs to reevaluate the case managers. They should have residents take surveys about their case managers so you can have some real input. Leasing Manager kim was SUPER helpful! Everyone at the donation center is nice and helpful, they're good people in there! read more

As I have begun cleaning out our garage, my Day 1 of decluttering I was able to fill ten 13-gal trash bags with clothing, bedding, and other things. In the past, I donated to Goodwill, but the past few years, I'm moving away from that as they get all their stuff for free and make money on the stuff with the CEO and those at the top making a lot. If they gave let's say 30% or more of the money back into helping the communities they are in, I'd reconsider. I wanted to find a place that isn't making money on my items and giving it to those in need. And House of Refuge was willing to take my items that we no longer need. The guy that took my stuff said it is free to the residents of the 88 homes and whatever they can't keep, they give to another place called Sunshine something which gives them money for the items to be given back to the community. I did read one review that said they would give a zero review if they could. I think this is an entitlement type attitude. Seriously $400/month is REALLY good for rent + utilities. I'm guessing if you lived here for a year, making minimum wage, you'd qualify for food assistance, so then that makes food, if you're wise with your money to almost nothing. If you worked fulltime making minimum wage, probably after taxes, which you would be at the lowest rate of paying taxes, and if you used your money wisely, you could save over $1K/month, so that in a year, you'd have $12K. This would mean for the year, if you didn't have the entitlement attitude, you would be cooking, not eating out. You'd take advantage of EBT, food pantries and places like that to have no grocery bill. When you don't make a lot, you're a woman with minor children, there is A LOT of assistance. To have the privilege of living in a home, even if it is small, but your rent and utilities are $400/month. My electric bill in my not very big home in Gilbert in the summer is more than that, and we don't keep it cold. For a year you get the opportunity to live very inexpensively, work and save. But if you're of entitled mindset, you think we all owe you. It isn't any of our faults that you are in the situation you are in. I'm sure the people working for House of Refuge aren't being paid a lot either. And people giving, like myself, are giving out of our generosity. I could've easily given it to Goodwill instead of driving all the way out there to donate my items. If you chose not work and not manage your money well, that is NOT House of Refuge's fault. That is your own fault and stop being victim minded and that everyone owes you. Whatever caused you to be in the situation you're in, it's sad and unfortunate, but you live in the USA and you have opportunities to make some bad situation like this turn out for good. Stop complaining. read more

I wanted to donate. The lady at front gate was beyond nice. She greeted me called the office to let them know I was coming. I get directions. Show up knock. Hear dog barking than laughter no 1 came to the door! read more

Great cause helping people in need! We are downsizing and we're looking for a worthwhile place to donate excess household goods. The folks at the donation center were friendly, very helpful and not overly picky about what they would take. These folks that are being help have nothing anything that can be given is a great help. read more

Love the concept behind this charity! I will always choose them over the money making "charities". This place is my go to for donations.

Compassionate, caring, loving, consistent, responsible, lives changed for the better. This place changed my life. I owe a debt of gratitude to my God and to HRS for guiding this man to a better place. If you need help look them up. read more

If I can rate this place a 0 I would. So I'm currently living here at house of refuge my one year lease is up the 28th of February right and they want us to pay rent the month we have to move out by keep in mind rent is 400$ late fee makes it 425. But to move out we got to find a place to go which everywhere charges deposit and first on the rent that's like 2000 right there depending where you go, and house of refuge want to evict you and make sure you have a record of an eviction against you if you don't pay 687$ by the court date they give you . Now how they gana charge people if we still poor because they promised to help the people that live here and provide the helping hands aka donation center it's never always filled so we gotta buy our own shit. And if life situations get in the way of our savings they don't care just as long as they get their money from us that's all they care about. Their MOTTO about everyone deserves a home is fake because theirs people going right back to being homeless. DONT waste your time here. That's why their rating is soooooo low because it's all fake news fake help fake everything. ALSO the workers in helping hands will always take the good stuff that's donated for us the people who live here home for themselves ask anyone who lives here and witnessed it. read more

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I was so excited about this place. It was difficult to qualify to get the application sent to us and after jumping through all their hoops, and finally getting an application sent they sent us a denial email. No explanation, no reason other than they receive many applications and we won't be added to the waitlist. Like i'm 8 months pregnant and in desperate need of help right now and can't believe that they won't help us. Like it's unbelievable. I have never been someone who needs help like this and now that I do it's unbelievable that there isn't anything available. Why would they entertain us for so long get our hopes up only to deny our application and give no reason. read more

They took all the clothes but they do not take toys. They did refer me to someone who does take used toys.

When we donate food or clothing, we donate to The House of Refuge. They provide housing, clothing, food and guidance to families working to return to self-sufficiency. They are a mission of Gateway Church of the Nazarine. read more

This organization is the worst.They tell you you will get 3 warnings and get evicted.I never was told That I received a first warning only to be told that I have three Warnings and on the same day was told I have 30 days notice. The case managers don't care the CEO doesn't care I have only been in the program for 3 months and was never given any notice of any written warnings. The fact that they Pride their organization on helping families get back on.Their feet.It is based on a lie and now me and my children are back in the same situation that I have been trying so hard to get out of. read more

No beds. No resources. No availability. There is a major issue here is ARIZONA even if you call 211 there is NOTHING AVAILABLE for adult males read more

Amazing organization providing a 2nd chance to women and children who are homeless or escaping a domestic abuse situation. Located on the campus of ASU east, they have 22 homes providing housing for woman to start over. Families are provided resources to get back on their feet amd achieve success. They are assigned social workers to help the process and are expected to find employment. I love this organization for what it stands for. I donated clothing, books, shoes, and some toys and knowing that it goes straight to the families without being resold is awesone. Families can shop for what they need for free. They provide awesome volunteering opportunities too. Such an awesome cause and warms my heart that they exist. read more

This is an amazing organization! This is not a place where discount goods are sold, but where pure giving takes place, providing those in need items for free with dignity. read more

We have participated in a number of projects at House of Refuge and also organized several group projects that included preparing meals, entertainment, painting and clean-up. This is a great organization that helps families get back on their feet with affordable housing. They are also able to provide a number of free items such as furniture and other household items that are donated to this charity. This allows families to build a nest egg for their transition out of this year long program. The House of Refuge also offers classes and counseling for finding employment, budgeting, parenting and more. I have been so impressed with this organization and how they have been able to help hundreds of families get a back on their feet. read more

This organization appears to only want new furniture.They came out to pick up 3 large living room couches and a couch and table. The declined the couch because it had some minor fading on the back. The chair was refused because of a small mark on back about size of a Pea. These were high end furniture pieces, not Walmart brand. And just steamed cleaned. read more

I only recently found out about this wonderful organization that has apparently been in Mesa for 20 years. How fortunate there is a safe place for those in need to find shelter and other essential assistance while rebuilding their lives. I brought a lot of clothes, accessories,luggage and household items to their donation center this week and want to encourage everyone to do the same. These individuals and families (men, women and children), are in great need of just about anything from clothing to furniture to linens, dishes, pots/pans, other kitchen items, decor pieces, toys, game, books, etc.. Don't we all have at least a few extra items (or can purchase some new things on sale), we can share/spare for those in need? Any one of us could be in this situation if not for the grace of God. Give, it will make you feel good and mean a lot to the people at House of Refuge (plus it's a tax writeoff). read more