The Refuge Center for Counseling Hosts 20th Anniversary Celebration, Hope Grows: A Legacy of Hope
[FRANKLIN, TN] – The Refuge Center for Counseling, a local area non-profit counseling center serving over 4000 clients a year is hosting their annual fundraiser and 20th Anniversary event on Thursday, April 24, 2025. “Hope Grows: A Legacy of Hope” gala will feature dinner, inspiring client stories, a reflection on 20 years of providing accessible mental health services, and musical performances by GRAMMY award winning musicians, Lauren Daigle and Hillary Scott (Lady A). In addition, The Refuge Center will be presenting the annual Hope Award, which is given to a community member who has used their platform to advance the conversation around mental health. The 2025 Hope Award will be presented to both Ben Zobrist, former MLB player, 2016 World Series MVP and founder of Champion Forward as well as Brandy Whitehead, Co-Founder of Church of the City, for their contributions to mental health advocacy. The counseling center hopes to raise $450,000, all of which will go to provide community mental and emotional healthcare services to those at every socio-economic rung of the ladder.
Lauren Daigle, one of the night’s musical guests says, “The Refuge Center for Counseling has been a place of welcome and reprieve. It is truly an establishment that seeks the betterment of the individual and champions growth in each person who walks through the hallowed halls. I have found myself met and comforted here many-a-time, and it would be my sheer joy and delight to see this aid continuing in our community for the next two decades! I look forward to an evening full of life as we celebrate all that Refuge has invested into Nashville and beyond.”
“We are grateful to have The Refuge Center as a vital part of our community and are thrilled to join in celebrating their 20th Anniversary at Hope Grows,” said Atmos Energy’s Manager of Public Affairs, Christina Christiansen. “We, at Atmos Energy, are committed to fueling hope and growth for neighbors. Our partnership with The Refuge Center embodies that commitment. We believe that investing in the well-being of our community strengthens the foundation for a brighter and more hopeful future.” Atmos Energy is the Title Sponsor for the event.
CEO and Co-Founder of The Refuge Center, Amy Alexander says of the event, “20 Years ago we saw a need for affordable counseling services in one of the most “prosperous” areas in our country… and here we stand two decades later and the small pebble we cast into the lake of obedience has had a ripple effect unlike anything we could have imagined. Thousands upon
thousands of people from every walk of life have come through our doors carrying some of life’s biggest burdens and walked out, lighter, more free, and full of HOPE. Hope Grows is always our favorite night of the year, but this year, celebrating our 20th year, will be even more special. We hope to see and celebrate with you there!
To find out more about the event, available sponsorship opportunities, or purchase tickets, go to refugecenter.org/hopegrows or email Patty Eller, Director of Development at patty.eller@therefugecenter.org.
For more on The Refuge Center for Counseling’s list of services, sliding fee-scale, upcoming events, and impact, go to refugecenter.org. For media inquiries, contact Tate Eller, Marketing Manager for The Refuge Center for Counseling at tate.foster@therefugecenter.org.
