City of Refuge is Powering New Possibilities

At City of Refuge, food is a gateway to forming relationships that tap into the richness of community. 

By co-locating social services with access to nutritious food, City of Refuge has created one of the most comprehensive safe spaces in the state, located in Baltimore’s Brooklyn neighborhood.

Once neighbors know they can find nutritious food, they also realize they can use the space and the resources there to build pathways out of hunger. 

From Pushing Drugs to Pumping Iron

One of those neighbors is Corey Jenkins. “I had no fear of the police and would probably still be dealing drugs if not for City of Refuge,” said Corey. 

Director of Workforce Development Daniel Burgess, who was mentoring Corey’s son, saw an opportunity for not only Corey’s family, but the entire Brooklyn neighborhood. 

Daniel shared, “We had this space, but the community wasn’t buying in. I knew of Corey’s passion for being fit and his reputation, so I reached out to see if he was interested and redirecting his influence for positive community impact, by running our gym.” 

City of Refuge had recently begun an employment incubator program, in direct response to community feedback—a perfect fit for Corey’s goals. 

“My initial plan was to go into real estate, but being shot at shifted my mindset. Daniel and City of Refuge provided the battery pack and focus needed to make the gym, ActivCor, happen—and all in a place that felt comfortable,” said Corey.

Collaboration Feeds Change 

For Daniel, it’s all about listening to neighbors to spark hope and start real change. 

Based on feedback from its community, City of Refuge has used more than $120,000 in Maryland Food Bank grants to support workforce development programs and improve the spaces where neighbors interact. 

“The Maryland Food Bank helped make it possible for the trickle-down effect to happen. People say ‘Hey, if Corey has a safe space here, if Corey can come here, then it’s good for all of us,’ and that gives us a lot of credibility,” said Daniel.

“It doesn’t happen with just City of Refuge, and it doesn’t happen with just Corey. It happens with us working together to show people that a change could come about.”