Google Invests in House of Refuge to Launch Opportunity Labs

PHOENIX and MESA, Ariz., Nov. 10, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Google has awarded $50,000 to House of Refuge, a nonprofit organization in Mesa, Arizona, to expand access to technology, education, workforce development, and transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness. This collaboration, established to support families in achieving long-term financial stability and independence, marks a significant step in leveraging technology to empower those in need.

House of Refuge, which has served families experiencing homelessness for over three decades, will use the funds to establish two Google Opportunity Labs. These labs will provide digital literacy resources, career training, and professional certifications to both parents and teens. The initiative aims to equip families with the tools and skills necessary to build brighter futures.

The Opportunity Labs will be established in two locations on the House of Refuge campus. One lab 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. These modern, engaging spaces will provide residents with 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 initiative reflects a shared commitment to removing barriers to economic opportunity and equipping families with the tools and skills needed to build financial independence.

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. 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 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, the company is 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.