Our Foundation
The Refuge Family Resource Center will serve as a safe refuge in the community. Families will be supported in a nurturing environment no matter what type of background and experiences the family has had. It is a place where caregivers can come as they are without fear of surveillance or anyone looking down on them. We know that families come in all different shapes and sizes and we are dedicated to supporting each and every family. We want families to go from surviving to thriving. Caregivers will be supported by a team of loving staff and community partners that will help build confidence, resiliency and stronger families. The caregivers will be provided with opportunities to grow in their parenting skills and life skills, develop their sense of identity as a parent and as an individual, recognize their worth, value themselves and their families and become more resilient through building a stronger foundation to grow from. Their voices will be heard, they will be seen and they will be understood. Their social connections and community will be built and strengthened. They will no longer feel alone and live in fear of accessing services or support. Their children will be secure, stable and experience less trauma. Families will experience less stress and crisis which will have a positive effect on the community by making them safer, stronger and more stable.
To provide support, social connections, community resources, activities and educations for caregivers, children, and families to build resiliency, provide tools needed to foster a healthy environment and to strengthen families and communities.
Our Mission
Our Vision
A community where all families are valued, thriving and have a strong future!
Meet Our Leadership
Theresa Rardin- Founder, President & Executive Director
Theresa provides leadership across multiple functional areas of the organization. She serves as Founder, President and Executive Director. She has a vison where all families are valued, thriving and have a strong future. She has her own lived experience which has shaped her empathy, resilience, and dedication to helping families feel seen, supported, and safe. Her experiences shaped her career path. She became a licensed social worker so she could help others see their value and worth. Theresa leads the development of The Refuge Family Resource Center in Crow Wing County. At the Family Resource Center, caregivers will be provided with opportunities to grow in their parenting skills and life skills, access resources in the community, develop their sense of identity as a parent and as an individual, recognize their worth, value themselves and their families, and become more resilient through building a stronger foundation to grow from. She serves families with compassion and grace and is so blessed to be working with families!
Meet Our Leadership
Lee Ann Hohenstein-Vice President
Lee Ann currently serves as the Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Refuge Family Resource Center. She has a heart for families and a desire to support the resource center in providing tools and practical help for families in need of a safe, grace-filled place where they can receive non-judgmental support. As a parent and grandparent, and someone who has experienced family and life difficulties, she sees the value of offering these services, so families do not feel they are alone. Lee Ann comes to the board with almost 30 years of experience in the finance industry and is the Managing Owner of Restoration Books and Gifts. She previously worked as Visitation Coordinator at HOPE in Aitkin, providing safe visits and exchanges and supporting co-parenting. As a certified Parents Forever teacher, she taught visiting parents and the Nay Ah Shing School District teachers and parents. She previously served as the Board Treasurer for the Cuyuna Range Youth Center and Lakes Area Alano and has been a HOPE crisis line volunteer for 12 years.
Lee Ann feels very blessed to serve on the board of this much-needed organization.
Meet Our Leadership
Laura Helstrom-Treasurer
Laura serves as the Treasurer for The Refuge Family Services, bringing both professional expertise and deeply personal insight to our mission. As a single mother and experienced accountant, she understands firsthand the challenges families face when navigating finances. Her lived experience fuels her commitment to helping families build stability, confidence, and long‑term strength. She believes strongly in empowering families to make their own decisions, access resources without unnecessary barriers, and regain control over their lives. Her perspective reflects a desire to see support systems that uplift families rather than overwhelm them. In her role as Treasurer, she ensures that our financial practices reflect transparency, integrity, and a deep respect for the families we serve.Today, she is thriving — growing, healing, and modeling the resilience she hopes to help others discover. Her dedication to creating stronger families guides her work and strengthens the foundation of The Refuge Family Services.
Meet Our Leadership
Sharaya Jones-Secretary
With years of experience in social work and a lifelong commitment to serving others, I have had the privilege of assisting individuals and families through both professional and personal experiences. My passion is helping families overcome challenges, build stronger relationships, and discover hope for the future. I believe every family has the potential to succeed with the right support, encouragement, and resources. My mission is to walk alongside those in need, offering compassion, practical guidance, and a genuine commitment to seeing lives transformed.
Together, we can strengthen families and build a more connected community.
