Daughter’s Refuge was founded with a vision rooted in faith and a desire to create a safe haven for women facing unstable housing or life’s many challenges.
Inspired by Proverbs 29:18, “Without a vision the people will perish,” our desire is to provide a place where women can find stability, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose.
At Daughter’s Refuge, we believe that every woman is a daughter of a loving and good Father. Our goal is to help women discover their God-given identity and embrace His protection and provision. Even in moments when resources feel scarce, we trust in His ability to provide and transform.
Through faith, surrender, and unwavering hope, Daughter’s Refuge is committed to walking alongside women as they rebuild their lives and find the courage to move forward.
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Our Mission
We exist to offer sanctuary for women and their children, first meeting their basic needs of safety, shelter, and connection. Then, as their sense of security and stability grows, we focus more deeply on the powerful effect of heart transformation, which comes from uncovering our true identity in Christ.
Through spiritual guidance, counseling, and discipleship, we help women rebuild their lives on the foundation of God’s love. Knowing who they are, they are empowered to move forward in Grace, wisdom, and divine purpose learning to live one day at a time with the supportive community God designed.
We believe the first step to experiencing change is reconciling our relationship with our Creator. Spending time with Him is essential to our understanding who we each were created to be. This first step allows us to begin working on ourselves and repairing our relationships with those around us.
What We Believe...
IN ESSENTIAL BELIEFS,WE HAVE UNITY.
IN NON-ESSENTIAL BELIEFS,WE HAVE LIBERTY.
IN ALL BELIEFS,WE HAVE LOVE.
Daughter's Refuge Through the Years
2020Beginnings
- Inspiration to Move: Following significant family tragedy and the societal upheaval during 2020, Tonya Heft and her daughter began exploring a new life outside their home state of Ohio.
- Thanksgiving on the Coast: The family gathered for a beachfront Thanksgiving, which became Pops' final visit before his passing.
2021Moving Forward
- Pops’ Passing: Tonya’s father passed away, fulfilling his desire to ensure “his girls” were provided for.
- Purchase of Southern Oregon Property: Tonya, her daughter, and her mother felt called to purchase a sunflower-covered 2.5-acre property in Southern Oregon for homesteading and ministry.
- Discovery of Toxic Mold: While upgrading the property, they uncovered severe toxic mold, leading to major renovations and health challenges. .
2022Listening to the Lord
- Formation of the Vision: While detoxing from mold poisoning and living in a camper, Tonya began to journal and conceptualize the vision for a refuge for women facing housing instability.
- Divine Guidance for Daughter’s Refuge: Tonya felt called to "gather women, harvest medicines, and heal by the light of the moon," which shaped the mission of Daughter’s Refuge.
2023Dreams...and a LOT of Prayer...Become Reality
- IRS 501(c)(3) Approval: Daughter’s Refuge achieved nonprofit status with remarkable speed, seen as a milestone of Divine acceleration.
- First Housing Unit: With the support of volunteers like Craig and Beth Arledge, the first housing unit enclosure was built, and a cover was added to the chicken run.
2024Here we Grow!
- Continued Growth: Daughter’s Refuge solidified its mission to expand across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, aiming to establish campuses for women nationwide.
2025Taking Things Digital
- Website Launch Daughter’s Refuge launches the first version of their website to better communicate with the women the serve, donors, and volunteers.
Meet Tonya!
Tonya Heft, Executive Director & Founder
With over 25 years as a therapist and founder of Olive Branch Family Counseling, Tonya Heft has walked alongside countless individuals through their struggles, helping them discover their strength and purpose. Now, Tonya brings this same empathy and wisdom to Daughter’s Refuge, where she is committed to helping women rebuild their lives through Christ’s love.
Tonya’s journey has been shaped by her own experiences of overcoming challenges, including the loss of her husband when her daughter was just ten years old. These life-changing moments deepened her passion to create a safe space where others can find healing, stability, and hope.
Tonya believes in leading by example, embracing life’s messy, beautiful journey, and empowering others to do the same. She is passionate about helping women understand their worth, heal from pain, and grow into the people they were always meant to be.
For Tonya, this work isn’t just a job; it’s her calling. She’s here to remind women they’re never alone, and with faith, patience, and support, they can overcome anything. If you’d like to learn more about Tonya, visit our News & Updates page to read the latest from her and the team at Daughter’s Refuge.
