Trust First

"Giving people dignity through trust is often more transformative than giving them material support." This book answers the question: How can trust heal and empower marginalized communities?

1. Trust Creates Space for Change

Rev. Bruce Deel discovered the power of trust during a tense moment on the Westside of Atlanta. By placing faith in the intentions of others, he was able to de-escalate dangerous situations and open pathways to dialogue.

When a woman brandished a gun during Deel’s food distribution event in 1997, he approached her without aggression, trusting that she didn’t truly want to use it. This act of trust defused the situation, laying the foundation for City of Refuge. Deel saw that trust invites people to show their better natures, even in dire circumstances.

Over time, Deel carried this lesson forward, advocating for unconditional trust in his community work. Trust first, he believed, allowed people to feel seen and valued. It catalyzed a meaningful relational bond, which then supported sustainable change. While others warned him against taking this approach, he found trust proved to be the cornerstone of his success.

Examples

• Intervening with a gun-wielding woman by trusting her intentions.
• Returning to the community after other volunteers abandoned it, earning trust through consistency.
• Building relationships where mutual reliance and faith created dignity for individuals.

2. Poverty Is Driven by Inequitable Opportunities

Deel’s perspective on poverty shifted after living on the Westside. He began to understand that people don’t make poor choices because they lack morals—it’s because they’re trapped in systems that make poverty inescapable.

He observed how decades of systemic neglect, discrimination, and the War on Drugs created barriers for success in urban communities. Deprivation of basic resources, such as decent schools and housing, made it nearly impossible for residents to overcome their circumstances. Choices that might seem reckless from the outside, such as substance dependency or small criminal acts, were survival mechanisms for people faced with no other options.

This new understanding inspired Deel to focus on altering material conditions, creating environments where better choices became the obvious and available paths. By addressing systemic barriers, he aimed to empower individuals to rise above their circumstances with sustainable support.

Examples

• Residents lived in neighborhoods with abandoned homes and minimal investment, crippling community cohesion.
• Addiction surged due to drug epidemics like crack cocaine, exacerbated by punitive policies.
• Westside children grew up exposed to violence, further limiting their access to growth opportunities.

3. Immersion Brings Authentic Understanding

Deel and his family moved into the heart of the Westside neighborhood to better relate to and serve those they wished to help. This act made them a part of the community rather than outsiders offering charity.

The family left behind a comfortable suburban life to live within their temporary church quarters. They shared meals, attended events, and developed relationships on equal footing with their neighbors. By living among those they served, the Deel family learned firsthand about the struggles the residents faced and the resilience they exhibited.

Their decision to integrate into the area sent a strong message of commitment. This removed barriers of distrust between them and the neighborhood. Their authenticity attracted new volunteers and opened doors for creating more impactful services.

Examples

• Moving into an empty floor of a church to embrace the same living conditions as the community.
• Hosting inclusive dinners that encouraged dialogue between diverse groups of people.
• Launching after-school programs and activities to engage local kids directly.

4. Crisis Can Be a Catalyst for Innovation

Sometimes, challenges become opportunities for growth. Deel learned this when an explosive confrontation with a mentally ill man highlighted the need for a centralized hub of support services.

The man, Michael, became violent after failing to receive adequate medical treatment. His threats escalated, culminating in police intervention. While Deel felt relieved for safety’s sake, the incident made him question the fragmented nature of available city resources. He realized that many people cycled through crises without ever receiving comprehensive care.

This insight led to the vision of a one-stop shop—a single location where individuals could access everything from housing to mental health care. It addressed the gaps in service delivery by focusing on integration.

Examples

• Michael’s mental health episode revealed the lack of accessible care in the region.
• Referrals to external resources often proved fruitless due to bureaucratic delays.
• City of Refuge eventually provided holistic, under-one-roof solutions to systemic issues.

5. Hurricane Katrina Proved the Power of Community

When Hurricane Katrina displaced thousands in 2005, City of Refuge rose to meet an overwhelming demand for shelter and supplies. This crisis demonstrated how grassroots action could provide large-scale support effectively.

Within a week, Deel and his team had transformed their space into a relief hub. They coordinated food, housing, and essential services for 3,500 evacuees, proving their capability under pressure. This response gained the attention of donors and city officials, cementing City of Refuge’s reputation as a trusted provider in times of need.

The exposure and experience gave Deel the credibility and momentum needed to bring his larger vision of an integrated support center to life.

Examples

• Hosting 3,500 Hurricane Katrina evacuees on short notice.
• Establishing a distribution center to assist families in rebuilding their lives.
• Garnering city and donor trust through quick, impactful relief efforts.

6. Small Steps Are Part of Success

Deel came to understand that progress isn’t always a giant leap; most often, it’s taking small, consistent steps forward. This attitude shift deepened the work of City of Refuge.

At the outset, Deel measured success by whether people completely turned their lives around. Over time, he learned to embrace incremental progress, like an addict staying sober for a few hours longer or a trauma survivor re-entering social settings. These shifts, while seemingly minor, reflected the ongoing journey of growth and healing.

Through this lens of harm reduction and patience, City of Refuge’s programs became more empathetic and effective.

Examples

• An alcoholic choosing to drink less without abstinence being forced on them.
• A woman making eye contact after months of trauma counseling.
• Residents overcoming small daily challenges as milestones on their path.

7. Integrated Resources Empower Transformation

Centralizing services under one roof became the hallmark of City of Refuge. By eliminating logistical hurdles, Deel made it easier for residents to access life-changing support.

Programs addressed everything from housing to vocational training and medical care. The organization’s physical design prioritized convenience, ensuring that people seeking help wouldn’t face the obstacles of traveling between multiple providers.

This integrated approach drastically improved outcomes by meeting overlapping needs, giving individuals the tools to rebuild.

Examples

• Eden Village created transitional housing for mothers and their children.
• Vocational programs trained ex-offenders while offering trauma-informed therapy.
• On-site health care eliminated accessibility gaps for underserved populations.

8. Trust Inspires Collaboration

The example set by Deel’s “trust first” philosophy ultimately extended beyond the Westside community to attract others who shared this vision. Support snowballed from donors, volunteers, and city officials.

Once skeptics, donors came on board to fund multipurpose facilities. Volunteers felt inspired to dedicate their time when they saw the commitment City of Refuge demonstrated. By trusting his relationships with different groups, Deel fostered an environment of collaboration.

This collaboration revealed that trust builds bridges, creating a ripple effect of shared purpose.

Examples

• Significant donors contributed after seeing City of Refuge’s track record.
• Collaborations with the mayor’s office created housing and educational resources.
• Volunteers flocked to the church after observing the Deel family’s dedication.

9. Transformation Doesn’t Always Look Like Independence

Not everyone leaves City of Refuge ready to live independently. Sometimes, transformation means simply re-establishing dignity and stability.

Participants who experience long-term struggles, like addiction or mental illness, often still rely on ongoing support. Success might mean reduced harm and improved relationships rather than an idealized complete turnaround.

City of Refuge celebrates these achievements as valid and worthy, recognizing the resilience of those they serve.

Examples

• Vanessa, formerly homeless, regained stability and family ties despite relapses.
• Rufus, unable to work, gained housing and a sense of belonging in the program.
• Participants viewed care as an ongoing partnership rather than a “one-and-done” fix.

Takeaways

1. Build trust first by assuming others have good intentions, even in difficult situations.
2. Focus on small steps of growth rather than waiting for perfection before celebrating progress.
3. Offer dignity in your generosity by providing what you yourself would value receiving.