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A Series of Unfortunate Events Led Alan to Haven

Meet Alan: Alan was a successful businessman working with custom homebuilders until the economy and real estate market crashed in 2008. After losing his job and struggling to make ends meet as an artist, a series of health issues in 2020 led to Alan losing everything. He came to Haven for Hope to get back on his feet. Click here to hear his inspiring testimonial.

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Single Mom of Four Never Gives Up

Nadia was living with her four children in her Mom’s one-bedroom house. She had lost her job during the pandemic. She was a caregiver and her client died from Covid. Things went downhill from there and soon Nadia lost her car.

After living with her Mom for a while, she knew she had to do something for her family. “My Mom wasn’t used to having kids in the house again. It was very crowded. I didn’t want to burden her.”

Nadia and her children stayed at Haven for a year. They were in line to rent a home and her kids were very excited. They even went to the house to rake leaves before moving in. Nadia said they bagged 9 bags of leaves. “The kids loved that house.” Unfortunately, the landlord received an offer to sell the home. “It was an offer he couldn’t refuse. We were very disappointed, but we didn’t give up hope.”

Nadia had always worked hard to provide for her children as a single mom. “This has been a learning experience for my children, homelessness can happen to anyone.”

As Nadia reflects on her time at Haven, she’s grateful. Grateful for the staff, the programs, and the classes. She attended Income and Skills Development classes and worked on her resume so she can find another more financially stable job. Her kids participated in some of the teen nights and movie nights at Haven. Nadia was grateful her children had the opportunity to continue attending their charter school. As for her dream job, Nadia says she wants to give back. “I want to help people; this can happen to anyone. It’s been a humbling experience.”

To watch Nadia’s interview with Haven staff, click here.

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Former Haven Client Receives Refurbished Car

NABC Recycled Rides® Program Joins USAA, Caliber Collision and the Women’s Industry Network To Donate Two Refurbished Vehicles to Two Deserving San Antonio Female Veterans in Need of Reliable Transportation

SAN ANTONIO – On Monday, May 1, two deserving San Antonio veterans experienced a life-changing event – a very special presentation in conjunction with the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) of two vehicles to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donor USAA and repair partner Caliber Collision.

  • Sequoyia Hurt, who served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 2009 to 2017, is a mother of four and cares for her disabled husband. They are working to launch a home-based business. They lost their car to an accident a year ago, and have been challenged to find safe, affordable transportation since then. The gift of reliable transportation will allow Sequoyia to care for her family, manage medical appointments and get her children to school activities. Sequoyia and her family stayed at Haven for Hope to get back on their feet. They accessed many resources including programs with Haven’s Veteran’s Program.
  • Vanessa Hernandez, a single mother of three, served in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2018. She has overcome homelessness but still faces challenges with transportation. She currently takes the bus with her three children to shop, go to medical appointments and take her older children to school. She would like to get a full-time job, and the gift of transportation will allow her to return to work, take her baby to daycare and care for her older children.

NABC Recycled Rides® is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides® program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council® have donated more than 3,000 vehicles valued at some $42 million.

Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation include 1-800 Charity Cars, Enterprise, Caliber Auto Care, Protec, IPAC Mazda, Dents and Dings and Axalta.