From Surviving to Thriving:
Alexus’s Journey to Stability
When Alexus arrived at City of Refuge in August 2024, she carried more than just her belongings—she carried the weight of years spent surviving.
Her story began years earlier when she found herself in an abusive marriage. During her second pregnancy, Alexus was assaulted in her eighth month. While her husband was deployed in Afghanistan, financial support stopped. There were stretches when Alexus and her children lived without electricity for weeks.
Eventually, she found the strength to leave the marriage, but rebuilding her life came with its own set of challenges. After moving into an apartment in Decatur, she unknowingly took in a roommate struggling with addiction. The living situation quickly fell apart, and when management refused to address growing mold issues, Alexus made the difficult decision to leave. She spent the next few months rotating between shelters and friends’ couches. Despite the uncertainty, Alexus never stopped working. She held down a full-time job at Walmart while doing Instacart deliveries several times a week.
Arriving at City of Refuge marked a turning point. The structure, stability, and support she found offered her a new beginning. “When I first got here, I actually cried,” she said. “They gave me a tour, and when I got to my room, I started crying. I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’m not outside anymore.’” Having a safe space where she wasn’t worried about anyone invading her privacy, where everything was clean and structured, gave her enormous peace. After seven months in City of Refuge’s women’s housing program, Alexus was ready to take the next step toward independence. She moved into one of our transitional housing residences to continue rebuilding her life with greater autonomy. Around that time, a generous donor gifted her a car, allowing her to get to work and appointments without relying on public transportation.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Alexus began chasing a dream she had put on hold: returning to her work as a massage therapist. She recently secured a position at Massage Heights—an opportunity that reconnects her with a career she once loved and allows her to continue rebuilding her life on her own terms. “I really enjoy helping people,” she said. When asked what she would say to the people who donate to make City of Refuge possible, Alexus didn’t hesitate. “Thank you so much. Thank you. I’m thankful God has blessed this place.”
Alexus’ story is one of resilience, perseverance, and the power of community support. Because of the generosity of donors and the dedication of the City of Refuge community, Alexus is no longer just surviving—she’s thriving.
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