City of Refuge-Lakeland

05/24/2026

03/26/2026

Keon's lesson...

It wasn't difficult to see Keon in the crowd of more than 200 job seekers.

He was the 16-year-old with a sweeter-than-cotton-candy grandmother by his side.

Cathey Elam adopted Keon when he was five months old. She has taught him more life lessons than there are leaves on a sycamore tree. Respect others and yourself. Read everything. Show compassion. Call on God; he answers.

On Thursday, Cathey began teaching Keon the value of work.

She brought him to the Better Together job fair at City of Refuge Church in Lakeland. Never more than a few feet away, she watched Keon, who is excelling in high school and uses AI like a Jedi, talk with employers.

Keon smiled brightly, made eye contact while speaking, and shook hands confidently.

"It's a new experience for me, and it's opening me up to adulthood," said Keon, who has interviews scheduled with Wingstop and Waters Car Wash.

Before leaving the job fair, Keon rang the 'opportunity bell.'

If you listened closely, you could hear his grandmother's voice in the melody.

"Always think you are somebody."

(Story and moments by Kinfay / Better Together)

03/02/2026

03/02/2026

BetterTogether Second Chance Job Fair! Check it out!

01/31/2026

🔥 WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT’S NEXT WITH CUI! 🔥
Join us for our CUI Jurisdictional Coordinators Resource Monthly Meeting featuring a powerful and timely presentation from Bishop Clarence Sellers, Jr. on:

✨ Leadership That Drives Community Impact ✨

📅 Thursday, February 5
⏰ 7:30 PM Central
📍 Zoom | CUI Jurisdictional Monthly Meeting

This session will equip leaders with insight on how effective leadership moves vision into action, strengthens communities, and creates measurable impact across our jurisdictions.

📌 REMINDER | COGIC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE MASTERCLASS
🎓 CUI Building Funding Foundations Masterclass
📅 February 17 & 18

This masterclass is designed for pastors, coordinators, and ministry leaders who are ready to:

Build sustainable outreach and community engagement initiatives

Strengthen funding readiness and partnerships

Align ministry vision with practical tools and implementation strategies

❓ WHY ATTEND OUR RESOURCE CONVENING?
Our Resource Convening is your dedicated space to:

✔️ Receive national resources, training, and ministry tools
✔️ Connect with CUI experts and leaders across jurisdictions
✔️ Learn strategies for growth, outreach, and community impact
✔️ Gain insights you can immediately take back to your local churches

📣 CERTIFICATION REMINDER
Do you have churches in your jurisdiction that still need to be certified?

👉 Forward them this form and help them take the next step:
Church Certification Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwU8tVUc0hAwzB7GcgmopYS4av6P9dbAIUuFdQ88kjtAxujQ/viewform?usp=sharing

🔗 RESOURCES FOR YOU & YOUR JURISDICTION
📘 59 Community Outreach Ideas
https://blog.fundly.com/fundraising-ideas-for-church-and-religious-organizations/

💳 Disaster Financial Readiness Score (FREE)
https://operationhope.org/dfr-score/?utm_source=FEMA&utm_medium=PPT&utm_campaign=FNR&utm_content=DFRSCORE

🧾 Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (FEMA)
https://www.fema.gov/emergency-financial-first-aid-kit?utm_source=FEMA&utm_medium=ppt&utm_campaign=FRN&utm_term=effak

👤 Marcus Purnell
Personal Financial & Disaster Recovery Coach
➡️ Sign up as a HOPE Client (FREE):
https://portal.operationhope.org/?ohcode=OH-1210&ohac=yes

👤 Linden Jackson
Small Business Coach
➡️ Sign up as a HOPE Client (FREE):
https://portal.operationhope.org/?ohcode=OH-1205&ohac=yes

🔎 Find Help – Community Resource Mapping
https://findhelp.org

🤖 ChatGPT – Planning, Strategy, Grant Support
https://chatgpt.com/

🇲🇽 COGIC Hispanic Initiatives
Superintendent John Perez, Director
📧 [email protected]

11/22/2025

Check it out… share with someone you know that needs help. God’s got a blessing with your name on it! 🙏🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾

K–12 tutoring enrollment is now open at Uncommon Academy Education Center.
Small groups. Real support. A calm environment designed for student growth.

Apply online:
https://www.uncommon-academy.org/uncommon-scholars

Limited seats available.

11/06/2025

Cor Cogic Pantry
Thursday 9am-11am
1102 N.Ruth Ave
Lakeland 33805
863)940-2061

*Updated list of food pantries in Polk County
Upcoming events: https://polkhomeless.org/upcoming-events-2/
Other Resources: https://polkhomeless.org/other-resources/
(Click on "Resources 11.5.25" to access the excel sheet. It contains resources to assist with Pets, Finances, Veterans and much more!)

11/05/2025

City of Refuge COGIC

*Updated list of food pantries in Polk County
Upcoming events: https://polkhomeless.org/upcoming-events-2/
Other Resources: https://polkhomeless.org/other-resources/
(Click on "Resources 11.5.25" to access the excel sheet. It contains resources to assist with Pets, Finances, Veterans and much more!)