Sunbury, PA  ·  Grades 6–12

A Place
to Belong.
A Place
to Grow.

A safe place for community youth to gather, have fun, and be surrounded by positive Christian volunteers who want to invest in their lives.

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EDUCATING  ·  SUPPORTING  ·  DIRECTING THE YOUTH OF SUNBURY  ·  EDUCATING  ·  SUPPORTING  ·  DIRECTING THE YOUTH OF SUNBURY  ·  EDUCATING  ·  SUPPORTING  ·  DIRECTING THE YOUTH OF SUNBURY  ·  EDUCATING  ·  SUPPORTING  ·  DIRECTING THE YOUTH OF SUNBURY  · 

What Happens Here

A Place for Youth
to Connect & Thrive.

The Refuge exists for Christian volunteers to minister and serve area youth — providing a safe, welcoming space where students can simply be themselves.

📚
Homework Help

Mentors and volunteers ready to help students succeed academically during the school year.

🏠
Open Building

A safe space to hang out with friends, play games, and connect with caring volunteers all evening.

🎵
Music Room

Instruments and space to explore music — all skill levels welcome, no experience needed.

🎨
Creative Studio

Hands-on creative projects with real tools — from soldering to making custom creations.

✝️
CWC Youth Group

In partnership with CWC — students can stay Wednesday evenings for youth group in our building.

🏆
Special Events

Scavenger hunts, Olympics-style challenges, seasonal celebrations throughout the year.

When We're Open

Come Find Us.

Free and open to all students in grades 6–12.
No sign-up, no fees — just show up.

Monday
3:30 – 8:00 PM
Homework Help 3:30–4:30
(Sept–May)
Wednesday
3:30 – 5:00 PM
+ CWC Youth Group
following drop-in

Get Involved

Be Part of
the Ministry.

Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more — there's a place for you at The Refuge.

Who We Are

More Than a
Youth Center.

The Refuge is a Christian non-profit youth ministry serving the teenagers of Sunbury and Central Pennsylvania.

Youth center students Mentorship
821 Market St
Sunbury, PA

Our Mission

Educating.
Supporting.
Directing.

The Refuge exists as a place for Christian volunteers to minister and serve the youth of our area. We are not primarily a program — we are a community of people who genuinely care about the next generation.

We provide a safe space for students in grades 6–12 to gather with friends, have fun, and be surrounded by positive staff and volunteers who want to invest in their lives.

Our faith in Christ is what drives everything we do — from how we treat every student who walks through our doors, to the programs we offer and the relationships we build.

What We Offer

Programs &
Schedule.

All programs are free and open to students in grades 6–12. No sign-up, no fees — just show up.

📚
Homework Help

Dedicated time with mentors and volunteers for academic support in a focused, encouraging environment.

Monday
3:30 – 4:30 PM
September through May
🏠
Open Building

A welcoming space to hang out with friends, play games, and be surrounded by caring staff and volunteers.

Monday
3:30 – 8:00 PM
Open all year
🎵
Music Room

Instruments and space to explore music — beginners and experienced players alike welcome.

Mon & Wed
During Open Hours
🎨
Creative Studio

From soldering to custom projects — students explore hands-on creativity with real tools and materials.

Mon & Wed
During Open Hours
🤝
Wednesday Drop-In

A shorter midweek open session — hang out, connect with friends, and spend time with volunteers who care.

Wednesday
3:30 – 5:00 PM
✝️
CWC Youth Group

In partnership with CWC — students are welcome to stay after Wednesday drop-in for youth group, hosted in our building.

Wednesday
Following Drop-In
Partner Event
🏆
Special Events

Scavenger hunts, Olympics-style challenges, seasonal celebrations — we keep things fun throughout the year.

Various
Follow us on social

Get Involved

Be Part of
the Ministry.

The Refuge runs because of people who believe in investing in the next generation. There's a place for you here.

Ways to Help

Make a
Difference.

Whether you give your time as a volunteer, support us financially, or spread the word — every contribution helps us serve more students.

🙌
Volunteer

Christian volunteers are the heartbeat of The Refuge. If you want to invest in local youth, we'd love to have you on the team.

🛒
Refuge Store

Grab some Refuge gear and directly support our mission when you do.

📣
Spread the Word

Tell a friend, share a post, or invite a student. Awareness changes lives.

🤝
Partner With Us

Churches, businesses, and organizations can partner with The Refuge to expand our reach in the community.

Find Us

Come See Us.

Whether you're a student, a parent, or someone who feels called to volunteer — our doors are always open.

📍
Address
821 Market Street
Sunbury, PA 17801
📞
Phone
(570) 884-4354
✉️
🕐
Hours
Monday3:30 PM – 8:00 PM First hour (3:30–4:30) is Homework Help, Sept–May Wednesday3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Followed by CWC Youth Group in our building Special EventsFollow us on social

Send a Message

Send Message →
Jeshua Rivera
Program Manager
Jeshua Rivera
2 Years on Staff  ·  Refuge Graduate

Jeshua first walked through the doors of The Refuge as a 9th grader — a student looking for a place to belong. Today, he's the one holding the door open for the next generation.

After going through the program himself, Jeshua knows firsthand what it means to be a young person in Sunbury looking for community, support, and something to be a part of. That experience gives him a perspective no resume can teach.

As Program Manager, Jeshua oversees the day-to-day life of The Refuge — from keeping the building running to pouring into students and coordinating with volunteers. His heart for today's youth and his deep understanding of where they're coming from make him an exceptional leader and an irreplaceable part of this ministry.

🎓 Refuge Alumni → Now Serving