Google has awarded $50,000 to House of Refuge in Mesa, Arizona, to expand access to technology, education, workforce development and transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness. The investment will establish two Google Opportunity Labs serving parents and teens, providing digital literacy resources, career training, professional certifications and tools to help families achieve long-term financial stability and independence.
PHOENIX and MESA, Ariz., Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- House of Refuge is proud to announce a $50,000 collaboration with Google that will create new opportunities for families experiencing homelessness through housing, technology, education and workforce development. The investment will establish two Google Opportunity Labs, support professional training and certifications, and strengthen existing programs that help families achieve long-term stability and independence.
At the heart of the collaboration is the creation of Google Opportunity Labs, two dedicated learning environments designed to provide parents and teens with access to technology, digital literacy resources, career exploration and workforce development opportunities.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment to removing barriers to economic opportunity and equipping families with the tools and skills needed to build brighter futures.
"At House of Refuge, we know that providing a safe place to call home is just the beginning," said Kayla Kolar, Chief Executive Officer of House of Refuge. "Our goal is to equip families with the resources, confidence and opportunities they need to achieve lasting independence. This collaboration with Google allows us to take an exciting step forward by bringing new technology and workforce development resources directly to the families we serve."
For more than 30 years, House of Refuge has served families experiencing homelessness in the East Valley, providing transitional housing and wraparound services that help families move toward independence.
Each year, the organization serves approximately 150 families, with children making up more than half of the individuals in its program. Families may remain at House of Refuge for up to one year while working toward employment, financial stability, educational advancement and permanent housing.
Google Opportunity Labs will be established in two locations on the House of Refuge campus to enhance these existing services by introducing new technology and learning opportunities. One will be located within the organization's Employment & Education Center, serving adult residents, while the second will focus on career exploration, digital literacy, and workforce readiness for teens.
"At Google, we believe that access to technology, digital skills and strong support systems can open doors to transformative economic opportunities," said Allyson Eastman, Senior Manager of Community and Workforce Development at Google. "House of Refuge does incredible work empowering families in their greatest times of need, and we are proud to support their mission. By establishing the Google Opportunity Labs, we hope to provide both adults and teens in Mesa with the tools, training, and resources they need to gain new skills, pursue rewarding careers and achieve lasting independence."
The labs will provide modern, engaging spaces where residents can build practical skills, pursue educational opportunities and prepare for meaningful employment. Planned resources include computer workstations, a laptop lending library, interactive classroom technology, video-conferencing capabilities and flexible learning environments.
Through these resources, residents will have greater access to job searches, virtual interviews, online education, professional development, financial literacy and workforce certification programs.
The collaboration also includes funding to help residents overcome financial barriers to professional training, licensing and industry-recognized certifications, creating pathways to increased earning potential and long-term economic stability.
About House of Refuge
House of Refuge is a nonprofit organization located in Mesa, Arizona, dedicated to helping families experiencing homelessness achieve stability and self-sufficiency. For more than 30 years, House of Refuge has provided transitional housing and comprehensive wraparound services, including personalized case management, employment and education support, financial literacy, and programming for children and teens. Through these services, families are empowered to overcome barriers, build financial independence, and transition into permanent housing.
For more information, visit www.houseofrefuge.org.
About Google in Arizona
Google has proudly called Arizona home since breaking ground on its Mesa data center in 2023. Through programs and local initiatives that utilize Google's tools and expertise, they're working to help businesses, educational institutions, community collaboratives, nonprofits, and individuals create and thrive in a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. In 2025, Google helped provide $18.2 billion of economic activity for tens of thousands of Arizona businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and developers. More than 384,000 Arizona businesses used Google's tools at no cost to receive phone calls, bookings, reviews, requests for directions, or other direct connections to their customers.
Media Contact
Jacqueline Cruz, House of Refuge, 1 4807020276, [email protected], House of Refuge
Ben Coldagelli, APR, Google, [email protected], Google.com
SOURCE House of Refuge
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