OUR HISTORY

Calvary Refuge, Inc. began serving the Clayton County community several years before officially becoming a nonprofit organization in 1985. In its earliest days, the ministry operated out of Calvary Baptist Church in Forest Park, providing food and overnight shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness during the four coldest months of the year.

​

For nearly a decade, Calvary Refuge continued this mission through the generosity of churches that loaned space and the dedication of volunteers who helped care for those in need. As the need for consistent shelter grew, community leaders—including Executive Director Donna Taffar—launched a campaign in 1996 to purchase a permanent facility when the former Forest Park Presbyterian Church property became available.

 

Thanks to the generosity of supporters and donors, the property was successfully purchased in March 1997. The building was remodeled to better serve residents and now includes a central dining area, kitchen, and 14 living units designed to provide short-term housing for families in a setting similar to modest hotel accommodations.

​

In May 1998, construction began on an additional facility dedicated to emergency overnight shelter. This shelter was completed and dedicated in 1999 and has since operated year-round, providing safe shelter and support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness throughout the south metro Atlanta area.

​

Under the leadership of our former Executive Director, Tawana Tarno, the City of Forest Park partnered with Calvary Refuge to expand services by constructing Holland Hall on the Calvary property in 2017. Holland Hall is a 44-bed facility designed to serve families experiencing homelessness, particularly families with older male children who are often unable to stay together in traditional shelters, as well as fathers with children. This addition significantly expanded Calvary Refuge’s ability to serve families in need within Clayton County and the surrounding metro Atlanta communities.

​

Today, Calvary Refuge continues to build on this foundation of compassion and community support, serving those in need with shelter, resources, and hope.