Who is Full Circle Refuge, Inc.?
Full Circle Refuge, Inc. (FCR) is a ministry that utilizes resources (churches, ministries, and local communities) and Biblical principles to provide services to youth in the Southeast that are at-risk, incarcerated, and /or in an aftercare program. FCR is committed to promoting the character trait “spirituality” to juveniles through the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, discipleship and mentoring.
The mission of Full Circle Refuge (FCR) is to prevent or reduce delinquency, reduce violence and prevent/reduce gang involvement among at-risk youth. The organization has been serving communities throughout Georgia and South Carolina for over thirteen years working diligently to fulfill this mission.
Full Circle Refuge, Inc. was founded in 1999 by Devon Harris and received a 501(c)(3) tax classification in 2002. It began with Bible discussion groups that met on Youth Development Campuses where groups were permitted by the Department of Juvenile Justice. Officials were initially skeptical, yet they were desperate for anything that could make a difference in the “revolving-door‟ of the juvenile justice system. It did not take long for officials to recognize that the discussion groups were making a positive difference. Since this time the organization has grown steadily and continues to prove to incarcerated and at-risk youth that the system and the community have not given up on them.
Over the years Full Circle Refuge has developed and operated a variety of programs to address the needs of at-risk youth. It has successfully launched mentoring programs, developmental programs addressing cognitive behaviors of at-risk youth, gang intervention programs and training seminars in schools and throughout the community. FCR also works directly with the Juvenile Justice Court system in Richmond, Columbia, and Burke County to assist in the adjudication of at-risk youth for gang intervention or placement in a mentoring program.
FCR is lead by a well qualified team of volunteers. Devon Harris, executive director, is a certified Gang Intervention Specialist who renews his credentials annually at the National Gang Crime Research Center in Chicago, Illinois. He has also attended the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention’s National Youth Gang Symposium. In 2008 Harris was awarded the Community Champion Award by Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver and received the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Prison Fellowship. Staff members and volunteers include ordained ministers, Gang Intervention Specialists, and others who hold counseling degrees or have criminal justice backgrounds. Each of whom is deeply committed to the goals and mission of Full Circle Refuge.
Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think and act. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Romans 12:2
