Introduction
In "Trust First," Bruce Deel shares the inspiring story of how he built City of Refuge, an innovative social project that has transformed countless lives in one of Atlanta's most challenging neighborhoods. This book offers a unique perspective on social work and community development, based on Deel's two decades of hands-on experience.
Deel's journey began in 1997 when he arrived in Atlanta's Westside neighborhood for what was supposed to be a six-month pastorship. Little did he know that this short-term assignment would turn into a lifelong commitment to serving a community plagued by poverty, violence, and systemic neglect.
Through his experiences, Deel learned that the key to making a real difference in people's lives wasn't about preaching or imposing moral judgments. Instead, it was about extending unconditional trust and acceptance to those he sought to help. This radical approach, combined with practical solutions to address opportunity injustice, formed the foundation of City of Refuge.
As we delve into Deel's story, we'll explore how he overcame his own biases, faced numerous challenges, and built an organization that now provides comprehensive support to thousands of people. From housing and healthcare to education and job training, City of Refuge has become a beacon of hope in a community that had long been forgotten.
The Gunfight That Changed Everything
Deel's journey began with a simple act of kindness: serving hot chili to people in a liquor store parking lot. However, this seemingly straightforward gesture quickly turned into a life-changing moment when a violent altercation erupted before his eyes.
As Deel was ladling chili into bowls, he suddenly heard a commotion. Looking up, he saw a woman pointing a gun at a man who was shouting abuse at her. In that moment, Deel had to make a split-second decision. Despite his fear and shock, he stepped between the two individuals, placing his hand gently on the woman's arm.
Looking into her eyes, Deel softly asked, "You don't want this, do you?" His calm demeanor and assumption of her better nature had an immediate effect. Slowly, the woman lowered her gun and walked away, defusing the potentially deadly situation.
This incident shook Deel to his core. He realized that his initial idea of helping – simply providing food – was woefully inadequate in the face of the complex challenges this community faced. More importantly, he recognized that by trusting in the woman's inherent goodness, he had been able to make a real difference in that moment.
A few days later, when Deel returned to the area with more food, he was surprised to find the streets deserted. He learned that the community had assumed he would never come back after witnessing such violence. Many well-intentioned outsiders before him had been scared off by similar incidents.
It was at this moment that Deel made a commitment that would shape the rest of his life. Looking a local man in the eye, he declared, "We return." This simple phrase became a promise – a promise to stay, to persevere, and to build trust with a community that had been let down too many times before.
This pivotal experience taught Deel two crucial lessons that would form the foundation of his future work:
Trust is a powerful tool for transformation. By assuming the best in people and giving them the space to make good choices, you can often bring out their better nature.
Consistency and commitment are essential. Real change doesn't happen overnight. It requires showing up, day after day, even when things get tough.
These realizations set Deel on the path to creating City of Refuge. He understood that to make a lasting impact, he needed to do more than just provide temporary relief. He needed to build relationships, understand the community's needs, and work alongside its members to create sustainable solutions.
Changing Perspectives on Poverty
As Deel began working more closely with the Westside community, he was forced to confront and ultimately dismantle his preconceived notions about poverty. Like many people from more privileged backgrounds, Deel had initially believed that poverty was, at least in part, a result of poor personal choices.
However, his experiences on the Westside opened his eyes to the reality of what he came to call "chronic opportunity injustice." He realized that the people he was working with hadn't simply made bad choices – they had been born into circumstances that severely limited their options from the very beginning.
Deel learned about the history of the Westside neighborhood, which had suffered from decades of institutional neglect and economic decline. In the 1960s and 70s, white families had fled to the suburbs, followed by middle-class African American families. The homes left behind were often bought by investors and rented out or simply abandoned, leading to a deterioration of the neighborhood's physical infrastructure and social fabric.
By the time Deel arrived, 40 percent of families in the area were living below the federal poverty line. Children were growing up witnessing high levels of violence and had limited access to quality education and healthcare. The neighborhood had been hit hard by the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, followed by the devastating effects of the "War on Drugs," which led to mass incarceration rather than rehabilitation and support for affected families.
This historical context helped Deel understand that the challenges faced by Westside residents were not simply individual failings, but the result of systemic issues that had compounded over generations. He realized that if he had been born into similar circumstances, he likely would have made similar choices to those he saw in the community.
This shift in perspective was transformative for Deel's approach to his work. He understood that lecturing about morality or good choices from the pulpit wasn't going to cut it. To make a real difference, he needed to address the root causes of poverty and work to change the material conditions of people's lives.
Deel's evolving understanding led him to adopt a more holistic approach to community development. He began to see that effective intervention needed to address multiple aspects of people's lives simultaneously – from housing and healthcare to education and job opportunities.
This realization was the seed that would eventually grow into City of Refuge's comprehensive model of support. By addressing the various facets of opportunity injustice, Deel believed they could create a pathway out of poverty that had previously seemed impossible to many in the community.
Full Commitment: Moving to the Westside
As Deel and his wife, Rhonda, became more involved in the Westside community, they realized that their occasional visits and food distributions weren't enough. To truly understand and serve the community, they needed to become a part of it.
This decision wasn't an easy one. It meant leaving behind their comfortable suburban home with its large yard – a safe haven for their children – and moving into the heart of an area known for its high crime rates. The contrast couldn't have been starker: from a peaceful neighborhood to one where violence was a daily reality, from a spacious house to an empty floor in a church building.
Despite the challenges, the Deels knew this move was necessary if they were serious about making a real impact. They transformed the grimy, dark space in the church into their new home. While the transition was difficult, especially for their children, they quickly realized they had made the right decision.
The impact of their move was immediate and far-reaching. By living in the community, the Deels signaled their total commitment to the people they were serving. This didn't go unnoticed. Community members who had been skeptical of yet another do-gooder dropping in from the suburbs began to open up and trust the Deels.
Moreover, their commitment inspired others. Volunteers, seeing the Deels' dedication, began to offer their help in greater numbers. This influx of support allowed Deel to expand the church's activities and establish a nonprofit organization to further their work.
Living in the community also gave the Deels a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by Westside residents. They experienced the same lack of resources and services, the same concerns about safety, and the same daily struggles. This shared experience helped them design more effective programs and interventions.
With their newfound perspective and resources, the Deels began to implement a variety of programs:
Community Dinners: They started hosting elaborate dinners in the church, bringing together homeless individuals, students, and seniors. These meals provided not just nourishment, but also a sense of community and belonging.
After-School Programs: Noticing the lack of activities for children, they created programs offering educational pastimes, outings, and summer camps for a hundred kids.
Homeless Shelter: They established a shelter with low barriers to entry, providing 65 men with nightly access to a warm meal and a comfortable bed.
Transitional Housing: Recognizing the unique challenges faced by young mothers, they began providing housing within the church, sharing their family life with these women and their children.
These initiatives marked the beginning of what would become City of Refuge. By living alongside the people they served, the Deels were able to create programs that truly addressed the community's needs. Their presence in the neighborhood transformed them from visitors into integral members of the community, building the trust and relationships that would form the foundation of their future work.
The Catalyst for Change: Michael's Story
While the Deels' work was making a difference, a particularly challenging encounter forced Bruce to confront the limitations of their current approach. This pivotal moment came in the form of an interaction with a homeless man named Michael.
Michael had been a regular at the men's shelter, always well-behaved and causing no problems. However, one night, his behavior took a drastic turn. He exposed himself to a staff member, demanding they apply ointment to wounds on his genitals. When the staff member refused, Michael became enraged.
The situation escalated quickly. Michael was removed from the shelter, but he didn't go quietly. He began stalking Deel and his staff, even attempting to physically assault one of them. The final straw came when Michael threatened to kill Deel's wife and daughters.
Fearing for his family's safety, Deel felt he had no choice but to involve the police. Michael was arrested and evaluated by a psychiatrist, who diagnosed him with serious mental illness. Ultimately, Michael was sentenced to prison.
While Deel was relieved that the immediate threat had passed, he was deeply troubled by the outcome. He felt guilty for his role in Michael's incarceration and realized that their current approach had failed to provide Michael with the care he truly needed.
This incident forced Deel to confront a harsh truth: the services they were providing, while helpful, were essentially just crisis management. They were offering short-term solutions and temporary relief, but not addressing the root causes of the chronic difficulties faced by people like Michael.
Deel realized that to make a lasting difference, they needed to do more than just refer people to other services in the city. These services were often underfunded, fragmented, and difficult to access. Many required extensive paperwork and were located in different parts of the city, making it challenging for those without transportation or stable housing to utilize them effectively.
What was needed, Deel concluded, was a "one-stop shop" – a place where people could access housing, job programs, mental health care, and other essential services all under one roof. This would allow for a more holistic approach to addressing the complex, interconnected challenges faced by many in the community.
However, creating such a comprehensive center would require resources far beyond what they currently had. It would need a much larger property, significantly more funding, and a complete overhaul of their current operations.
Moreover, it would mean that Bruce and Rhonda would need to uproot their lives once again, moving from the church where they had made their home to build a new community from scratch.
Despite the enormity of the challenge, the Deels knew this was the direction they needed to take. Michael's story had shown them that their current efforts, while well-intentioned, were not enough to create the deep, lasting change they sought.
This realization marked a turning point for what would become City of Refuge. It pushed Deel to think bigger, to envision a more comprehensive and integrated approach to community development. While the path forward was uncertain and fraught with challenges, Deel was committed to creating a place where people like Michael could find not just temporary relief, but lasting support and opportunities for genuine transformation.
Hurricane Katrina: A Turning Point
As Deel worked to bring his vision of a comprehensive support center to life, he faced numerous challenges. He had managed to secure a donation of a large property valued at $1.6 million, which seemed like a promising start. However, the reality was far from ideal.
The property was a dilapidated warehouse in one of the roughest parts of town. It was filled with trash, plagued by leaks, and infested with rats "the size of cats." Deel found himself spending nights in this run-down building alongside former gang members turned security guards, trying to protect the property from thieves while battling the rodent infestation.
Despite the property's potential, transforming it into the refuge Deel envisioned would require substantial funding. However, when he approached potential donors with his ambitious plans, he was met with skepticism. City of Refuge had been operating as a small, grassroots organization up to this point, and Deel's vision for a large-scale, multi-service center seemed overly ambitious to many.
Donors advised Deel to focus on doing one thing well rather than trying to achieve everything at once. It seemed that his dream of creating a one-stop shop for comprehensive community support might remain just that – a dream.
However, an unexpected event would soon change everything. In September 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, causing unprecedented devastation and displacing millions of people. Atlanta, being a few hundred miles away, became a major hub for evacuees seeking shelter and assistance.
In the face of this crisis, City of Refuge saw an opportunity to step up and prove their capabilities. They began receiving requests from the government to provide temporary housing for evacuees and social workers. Within days, they had set up a resource center that would go on to serve 3,500 people, providing shelter and hot meals throughout the worst of the crisis.
But they didn't stop there. City of Refuge also established a distribution center that assisted hundreds of families with furniture and other essential items. Their quick response and ability to mobilize resources effectively in the face of this massive crisis didn't go unnoticed.
The Hurricane Katrina response became a defining moment for City of Refuge. It demonstrated their ability to quickly react to a crisis, coordinate hundreds of volunteers, and provide support to thousands of people in need. Suddenly, Deel's vision for an ambitious, multi-service NGO didn't seem so far-fetched after all.
This experience brought City of Refuge into the spotlight. Their efforts during the crisis earned them credibility and respect from both the government and potential donors. People who had previously been skeptical of Deel's plans now saw that City of Refuge had the capacity and the commitment to handle large-scale operations effectively.
The success of their Hurricane Katrina response opened doors that had previously been closed. Donations began to pour in, and offers for collaboration started to arrive. City of Refuge had proven themselves capable of rising to enormous challenges, and this newfound reputation would pave the way for the realization of Deel's vision.
The Hurricane Katrina crisis, while tragic, had provided City of Refuge with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and commitment. It marked a turning point in their journey, transforming them from a small, local charity into an organization with the potential to create large-scale, lasting change in their community.
Growth and Expansion
In the wake of their successful response to Hurricane Katrina, City of Refuge entered a period of rapid growth and expansion. The organization's demonstrated ability to mobilize resources and effectively manage large-scale operations caught the attention of city officials and potential partners.
One of the most significant opportunities came when the mayor's office approached City of Refuge about collaborating to address the city's housing crisis. They offered $1.5 million in funding to transform part of City of Refuge's large site into 40 apartments, which would serve as transitional housing for homeless mothers and children.
This was exactly the kind of break Deel and his team had been hoping for. It allowed them to start realizing their vision of a comprehensive support center. Within a year, they had completed not only the housing units but also a state-of-the-art dining facility capable of serving 500 people and a childcare center.
In 2008, City of Refuge officially opened "Eden Village," providing housing for 40 mothers and 82 children. This marked a major milestone in the organization's development, proving that they could successfully manage large-scale projects and effectively partner with government agencies.
The success of Eden Village led to further opportunities. Less than a year later, the city approached City of Refuge again, this time asking if they could create housing for single women. Rising to the challenge, Deel and his team managed to obtain a building permit and complete construction on "Eden Village 2" in just three months, providing accommodation for an additional 80 women.
But City of Refuge didn't stop at housing. Over the next few years, they continued to expand their services, addressing a wide range of needs within the community:
Healthcare: They established a full-service clinic, providing much-needed medical care to a community that had long been underserved.
Education: Recognizing the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, City of Refuge created a private school to serve local children.
Vocational Training: They developed programs to provide job skills to ex-offenders, veterans, and formerly homeless individuals, helping them reintegrate into the workforce.
Anti-Trafficking Initiatives: After encountering a woman who had escaped from a trafficking ring, Deel realized there was a dire need for services specifically tailored to trafficking survivors. Within a year, City of Refuge had raised $1 million to create a refuge for these women and launched a trauma-informed care program that has since supported 700 women.
Each of these initiatives represented a significant undertaking, requiring careful planning, substantial resources, and dedicated staff. Yet, under Deel's leadership, City of Refuge managed to bring each of these projects to fruition, continually expanding their capacity to serve the community.
The organization had truly become the one-stop shop that Deel had envisioned years earlier when he was sleeping in that rat-infested warehouse. From housing and healthcare to education and job training, City of Refuge now offered a comprehensive range of services all in one location, making it easier for community members to access the support they needed.
This period of growth and expansion transformed City of Refuge from a small, local charity into a major force for change in Atlanta. They had proven that with vision, perseverance, and the right partnerships, it was possible to create large-scale, integrated solutions to address the complex challenges faced by communities in crisis.
The success of City of Refuge also validated Deel's approach of extending trust and providing comprehensive support. By addressing multiple aspects of people's lives simultaneously, they were able to create more sustainable pathways out of poverty and homelessness.
As impressive as these achievements were, Deel and his team knew that their work was far from over. Each new service they provided revealed more needs within the community, pushing them to continually evolve and expand their efforts. The growth of City of Refuge was not just about building infrastructure or launching programs – it was about building hope and creating opportunities for transformation in a community that had long been overlooked.
Redefining Success
As City of Refuge grew and expanded its services, Deel found himself reassessing his understanding of what constitutes success in community work. When he first started working on the Westside, he had very definite ideas about what successful interventions should look like. He imagined dramatic transformations: addicts becoming permanently sober, the homeless finding stable housing and jobs, and people leaving behind destructive habits to embrace entirely new, independent lives.
However, years of hands-on experience taught Deel that transformation rarely follows such a neat, linear path. He learned that real change often happens in small, incremental steps, and that success can take many different forms.
Deel began to focus on celebrating the small victories that might go unnoticed by those looking for grand narratives of redemption. He and his team rejoiced when:
- A heroin addict managed to stay sober for another day
- A severely traumatized woman made eye contact during a meal
- A chronic alcoholic chose to drink a little less, managing to be merely wobbly instead of incapacitated
This shift in perspective led City of Refuge to adopt more of a harm-reduction model. Instead of imposing rigid expectations or judgments from above, they sought to meet individuals where they were and support them in the specific ways they needed.
Deel came to understand that for many of the people they served, there might not be a clear "end point" to their care. Some individuals, due to chronic health issues, past traumas, or other complex factors, might always need some level of support. But this didn't mean their lives couldn't be dramatically improved or that they couldn't experience significant personal growth.
He shares the stories of individuals like Vanessa, a formerly homeless woman with chronic health problems, and Rufus, a former addict unable to work or live independently. To an outside observer, these individuals might not appear "successful" in conventional terms. They've had multiple relapses and continue to depend on City of Refuge for support.
However, Deel sees their stories differently. He recognizes the enormous courage it takes for these individuals to confront decades of trauma and battle powerful addictions. While they may have relapsed many times, they've also chosen to return to the program just as many times. They're no longer homeless, have rebuilt relationships with their families, and most importantly, now live lives of dignity and satisfaction.
This redefinition of success allowed City of Refuge to provide more compassionate, individualized care. It freed them from the pressure of trying to produce dramatic "before and after" stories and instead allowed them to focus on supporting each person's unique journey of growth and healing.
Deel learned that transformation is not about grand narratives of success and failure, or about categorizing people as winners and losers. Instead, it's about recognizing and nurturing the potential for growth in every individual, no matter how small or gradual that growth might be.
This approach also helped to create a more supportive, less judgmental environment at City of Refuge. By celebrating small victories and focusing on harm reduction rather than perfect outcomes, they were able to create a space where people felt accepted and encouraged, regardless of their struggles or setbacks.
Deel's evolving understanding of success also influenced how City of Refuge measured and reported its impact. While they still tracked important metrics like the number of people housed or jobs secured, they also began to place value on less quantifiable outcomes – improvements in mental health, increased self-esteem, stronger family relationships, and other quality-of-life factors.
This nuanced view of success and transformation became a cornerstone of City of Refuge's philosophy. It allowed them to remain committed to long-term, holistic care for individuals, even when progress was slow or non-linear. By redefining success, Deel and his team were able to create a more compassionate, realistic, and ultimately more effective approach to community development and individual support.
The Power of Trust
Throughout his journey with City of Refuge, Deel came to understand that trust was not just a nice ideal – it was a powerful force for transformation. The principle of "trust first," which he had stumbled upon during that early encounter in the liquor store parking lot, became the foundation of City of Refuge's approach.
Deel realized that the person he needed to trust most was himself. Time and again, he had to wrestle with the gap between his intuition and the apparent reality of a situation. His intuition told him that unconditional trust was the key to effective work in the Westside, even when that trust was sometimes abused. His intuition pushed him to pursue the ambitious one-stop shop model, even when he found himself in a rat-infested warehouse with no funding.
By trusting his instincts and plunging ahead, even in the face of uncertainty, Deel allowed City of Refuge to achieve remarkable growth. This would never have been possible if he had waited until he was certain of the outcome before taking action.
More importantly, Deel's commitment to trust proved to be a powerful tool in working with the community. By choosing to believe that everyone is fundamentally trustworthy, Deel and his team were able to see beyond labels like "drug addict" or "offender." This approach allowed them to connect with people as individuals and gain a deeper understanding of their needs and potential.
This policy of extending unconditional trust also led City of Refuge to abandon punitive models in favor of more supportive approaches. They pride themselves on having low barriers to entry for their programs. They don't believe that being an alcoholic should disqualify someone from housing, or that there should be a limit on second chances. Experience has shown that this approach actually makes their work more effective in helping people transform their lives.
Deel found that trust has a contagious quality. When he consistently showed up for the community, even after witnessing violence or experiencing setbacks, it inspired community members to take a leap of faith themselves. Many had been let down by authority figures before, but seeing Deel's unwavering commitment allowed them to open themselves up to the possibility of trust once again.
This culture of trust also attracted others to join City of Refuge's mission. In the early days, when Deel was trying to launch his ambitious one-stop shop, many potential partners and donors were skeptical. But over time, as they witnessed City of Refuge's unwaivering commitment and the positive changes happening in the community, thousands of volunteers and donors were inspired to get involved.
Deel's approach to trust extended beyond just believing in people's good intentions. It also meant trusting in their capacity for growth and change, even when progress wasn't immediately visible. This allowed City of Refuge to provide long-term support to individuals who might have been given up on in other contexts.
The power of trust also manifested in how City of Refuge structured its programs. Instead of imposing strict rules or constant supervision, they often chose to give people responsibility and autonomy. For instance, in their housing programs, residents are given keys to their own apartments and treated as capable adults, not as wards to be monitored. This show of trust often inspired people to live up to the faith placed in them.
Deel found that this approach to trust created a positive feedback loop. As people experienced being trusted, often for the first time in years, they began to trust themselves more. This increased self-trust often led to better decision-making and a greater willingness to engage with support services.
However, Deel is clear that trust doesn't mean being naive or ignoring real problems. City of Refuge still has policies and procedures in place to ensure safety and accountability. But these are implemented in a way that prioritizes dignity and respect, always assuming the best of people until proven otherwise.
In essence, Deel discovered that trust is not just a feel-good concept, but a practical tool for community transformation. By making trust the foundation of their work, City of Refuge was able to create an environment where healing, growth, and positive change could flourish.
Conclusion
Bruce Deel's journey with City of Refuge offers powerful lessons about community development, social work, and the transformative power of trust. What began as a six-month assignment in one of Atlanta's most challenging neighborhoods evolved into a lifelong commitment to addressing chronic opportunity injustice and creating pathways out of poverty.
Through his experiences, Deel learned that effective community work isn't about imposing moral judgments or quick fixes. Instead, it requires a deep understanding of the systemic issues that create and perpetuate poverty, coupled with a commitment to providing comprehensive, long-term support.
The growth of City of Refuge from a small church outreach program to a multi-service NGO demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when we dare to think big and remain committed to a vision, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Deel's willingness to adapt his approach based on the real needs of the community – moving from crisis management to holistic support – shows the importance of flexibility and responsiveness in social work.
Perhaps the most powerful lesson from Deel's story is the transformative potential of trust. By choosing to trust first – in himself, in his vision, and most importantly, in the inherent worth and potential of every individual he served – Deel was able to create an environment where real change could occur. This approach to trust became not just a philosophical stance, but a practical tool for community transformation.
Deel's redefinition of success, focusing on incremental progress rather than dramatic turnarounds, offers a more compassionate and realistic model for measuring impact in community work. It reminds us that transformation is a journey, often with twists and turns, rather than a straight line from problem to solution.
The story of City of Refuge also highlights the importance of addressing multiple aspects of poverty simultaneously. By providing housing, healthcare, education, and job training all in one place, they created a more effective and accessible support system for those in need.
Ultimately, "Trust First" is a testament to the power of perseverance, compassion, and radical trust in creating meaningful change. It challenges us to look beyond surface-level solutions and quick fixes, and instead commit to the long, often messy work of true community transformation.
Deel's experiences remind us that every individual has inherent worth and potential, regardless of their current circumstances. By creating environments where this potential can be recognized and nurtured, we can help build stronger, more resilient communities.
As we face growing inequality and persistent poverty in many of our communities, the lessons from City of Refuge offer a hopeful model for change. They show us that with vision, commitment, and a willingness to trust, it is possible to create pathways out of poverty and build more just and equitable societies.
The story of City of Refuge is far from over. As they continue to grow and evolve, they will undoubtedly face new challenges and learn new lessons. But the core principles that have guided their work – trust, compassion, and a commitment to addressing root causes – will continue to light the way forward.
In sharing his story, Bruce Deel invites all of us to consider how we might apply these principles in our own lives and communities. Whether we're social workers, community leaders, or simply concerned citizens, we all have the power to extend trust, to see the potential in others, and to contribute to positive change in our world.
"Trust First" is more than just the title of a book or the motto of an organization. It's a call to action, challenging us to reimagine how we approach community development, social justice, and our relationships with one another. It's an invitation to believe in the power of trust to transform lives and communities, one small step at a time.