El Refugio
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersLumpkin, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What El Refugio does
El Refugio is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization incorporated in Georgia (EIN 45-5544736) and founded in 2010. It is headquartered in Lumpkin, GA — directly adjacent to Stewart Detention Center (SDC) — with a mailing address in Hapeville, GA. The organization's mission is to accompany immigrants detained at SDC and their loved ones through hospitality, visitation, support, and advocacy. El Refugio is the sole operator of a hospitality house adjacent to the detention facility, creating a structural monopoly on lodging and presence services for visiting families.
The organization's service portfolio is mission-driven and entirely free of charge, funded exclusively by donations. Core services include: (1) a hospitality house offering free overnight lodging and day-use rest facilities on weekends; (2) volunteer-led visitation at SDC when family members cannot visit; (3) a bilingual helpline (Spanish/English) accessible both to families and to individuals inside the detention center; (4) commissary account deposits ($20 per deposit); (5) book-sending program (up to two books per request, including English textbooks and religious texts); (6) legal referrals; (7) financial assistance to families impacted by detention and deportation; and (8) Know Your Rights educational resources and a Family Resources Toolkit. El Refugio also publishes Medical Neglect and Abuse reports documenting conditions at SDC, which feed into systemic advocacy campaigns. Donation tiers published on the website suggest a grassroots, individual-donor model: $30 covers a commissary or phone deposit, $25 covers a gas card, $30 sends two books, $45 covers one night's lodging and food, and $1,000 covers a full hospitality-house weekend.
The business model is a pure donations-driven nonprofit with no revenue from fees or contracts. All services are free and confidential. Geographic scope is the US Southeast, specifically the Stewart Detention Center catchment. The organization employs 51-100 people and operates with support from strategic partners including Detention Watch Network (Georgia Detention Watch chapter) and Freedom for Immigrants for systemic advocacy. In early 2026, El Refugio was named the Spring 2026 season beneficiary by Voices of Note (Atlanta Women's Chorus and Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus), opening a performing-arts fundraising channel. No funding rounds, acquisitions, leadership changes, or technology platform investments are disclosed in available sources.
El Refugio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- El Refugio
- Legal name
- El Refugio
- Website
- https://elrefugiostewart.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
El Refugio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Immigration Detention Support Services
- NAICS
- Other Traveler Accommodation (72119)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services (BPADAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Immigration Support Services (Translations, Certified Copies, Biometrics, Medicals) (THACAKAH)
Keywords
Where El Refugio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lumpkin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
El Refugio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: El Refugio operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. The organization relies entirely on donations to fund its operations including hosting families at its hospitality house, visiting people at Stewart Detention Center (SDC), providing commissary account deposits for people at SDC, sending English language textbooks and books, providing financial assistance to families impacted by detention and deportation, and advocating for closure of SDC.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free services funded by donations |
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
El Refugio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
El Refugio provides free hospitality and visitation services to immigrants detained at Stewart Detention Center (SDC) in Lumpkin, Georgia, and their visiting families. Core offerings include free overnight lodging at its hospitality house, volunteer-provided social visits to detained individuals, a bilingual helpline for those both inside and outside SDC, commissary and phone deposits, book sending (including English textbooks and religious texts), legal referrals, financial assistance, and advocacy programs aimed at the closure of immigration detention facilities. All services are provided free of charge and are entirely funded by donations.
Product overview
El Refugio is a nonprofit hospitality and advocacy organization that provides direct services to immigrants at Stewart Detention Center and their families. The organization offers a coordinated portfolio of services including a hospitality house for visiting families, volunteer visitation services, a bilingual helpline for detained individuals, legal referrals, commissary support ($20 deposits), book sending, and advocacy programs aimed at shutting down detention facilities. The Family Resources Toolkit and Know Your Rights Resources provide educational materials to help families navigate the detention system. Reports documenting conditions at Stewart Detention Center support the organization's advocacy mission. All services are free and confidential.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hospitality House Services Free overnight lodging and hospitality for families visiting loved ones at Stewart Detention Center, located in Lumpkin, GA. Services include overnight accommodation, rest facilities and a no-judgment supportive environment, with weekend availability.
- Visitation Services Volunteer-provided social visits for detained individuals when family members are unable to visit. Volunteers offer a listening ear, empathy, and friendship during hour-long visits at Stewart Detention Center.
- Bilingual Helpline A bilingual helpline for people inside Stewart Detention Center at 229.234.9022, allowing detained individuals to ask questions, report rights violations, or speak with empathetic listeners. Office helpline 404.480.4780 supports loved ones.
- Legal Referral Services Referrals to legal support organizations and lawyers for hire, helping families and detained individuals access legal representation for immigration matters.
- Book Sending Program Sends up to two books per request to detained individuals, including English textbooks, religious texts (Bible, Quran), novels, and inspirational books to help them cope during detention.
- Commissary Support Deposits $20-$30 into loved ones' commissary and phone accounts at Stewart Detention Center, enabling detained individuals to purchase food, toiletries, phone cards, and other items.
- Advocacy Programs Systemic change initiatives including base building, amplifying stories, centering affected communities, holding authorities accountable, and advocating for the closure of immigration detention facilities, including partnerships with Detention Watch Network's Georgia chapter and Freedom for Immigrants.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free hospitality, visitation, support, and advocacy services provided to all families regardless of ability to pay
Companies that use El Refugio
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
El Refugio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
El Refugio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Voices of NoteminorAtlanta-based performing arts organization (Atlanta Women's Chorus and Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus) named El Refugio as season beneficiary for Spring 2026 concert series, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit's mission.
- Freedom for ImmigrantscoreCalifornia-based organization working to end immigration detention through advocacy, storytelling, a national bond fund, and other initiatives. El Refugio is listed as a resource for learning about immigration detention.
- Detention Watch Network (Georgia Detention Watch)coreNational membership organization working to end immigration detention. El Refugio works closely with DWN's Georgia chapter, Georgia Detention Watch, for systemic advocacy.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
El Refugio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC): National network offering immigration legal services, training, and advocacy, with affiliated programs serving detained populations. Comparable in mission and in providing legal referrals for families navigating detention.
- RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services): Large Texas-based nonprofit providing legal services, bond assistance, and advocacy for immigrants, including those in detention. Comparable in serving detained and recently detained immigrant populations, though at substantially greater scale and with a legal-services core.
- Detention Watch Network: National membership coalition that works to expose and end the U.S. immigration detention system. Comparable to El Refugio's advocacy arm and an existing close partner via its Georgia Detention Watch chapter.
- National Immigration Law Center: National advocacy organization dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants. Comparable to El Refugio's advocacy positioning, though NILC operates at the federal policy level rather than direct service.
Direct peers
- Freedom for Immigrants: California-based national organization working to end immigration detention through advocacy, a national bond fund, and visitation/hotline programs. Directly comparable to El Refugio in mission, and El Refugio is already listed as a partner resource on its platform.
- Casa Cornelia Law Center: San Diego-based nonprofit providing free legal services to indigent immigrants, including those in detention. Comparable to El Refugio's combined legal-referral and direct-aid approach for detained populations.
- Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project: Arizona-based nonprofit providing free legal services and social support to people in immigration detention. Comparable to El Refugio in its detention-focused service delivery and combination of direct aid with systemic advocacy.
- Capital Area Immigrants' Rights (CAIR) Coalition: DC/Maryland/Virginia-based nonprofit providing legal services and advocacy for immigrants in detention. Comparable to El Refugio in its detention-centered direct service model.
Emerging players
- Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP): National nonprofit providing legal aid, advocacy, and community support to asylum seekers. Comparable in serving detained and recently detained immigrant populations with a mixed direct-service and advocacy model.
Regional players
- Kids in Need of Defense (KIND): National nonprofit focused on the legal and humanitarian needs of unaccompanied immigrant children, with advocacy and direct service programs. Comparable in immigration-services nonprofit category, though its beneficiary focus is narrower (children) than El Refugio's family-wide mission.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
El Refugio social profiles
Digital presenceEl Refugio compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
El Refugio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
El Refugio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
El Refugio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
El Refugio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about El Refugio
What does El Refugio do?
El Refugio provides free hospitality and visitation services to immigrants detained at Stewart Detention Center (SDC) in Lumpkin, Georgia, and their visiting families. Core offerings include free overnight lodging at its hospitality house, volunteer-provided social visits to detained individuals, a bilingual helpline for those both inside and outside SDC, commissary and phone deposits, book sending (including English textbooks and religious texts), legal referrals, financial assistance, and advocacy programs aimed at the closure of immigration detention facilities. All services are provided free of charge and are entirely funded by donations.
Is El Refugio a public or private company?
El Refugio is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was El Refugio founded?
El Refugio was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is El Refugio based?
El Refugio is headquartered in Lumpkin, United States, in the North America region.
How does El Refugio make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Charitable Contributions.
Who are El Refugio's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services), Detention Watch Network and National Immigration Law Center. Direct peers are Freedom for Immigrants, Casa Cornelia Law Center, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project and Capital Area Immigrants' Rights (CAIR) Coalition. Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is listed as an emerging player. Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is listed as a regional player.
Does El Refugio have an API?
No public API is recorded for El Refugio.
What industry is El Refugio in?
El Refugio's product category is Immigration Detention Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAHAE, Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services, with a secondary code of THACAKAH, Immigration Support Services (Translations, Certified Copies, Biometrics, Medicals). Its NAICS code is 72119 and its SIC code is 7000.