Posted on

Haven’s Young Adult Program Featured on Kens 5

Haven for Hope began a program for Young Adults (18-24) in August 2023.

The program was created because Haven had seen a 31% increase in young adults experiencing homelessness and seeking services at Haven. The program offers separate shared living spaces for the age group, a common area with a TV, computers, books, and dedicated case management.

“Young adults have different needs than a family or older individual experiencing homelessness,” said Jessica Burdon, Senior Director of Case Management.  “Our case managers can help our clients decide what’s next for them. Is it obtaining a GED? Going to college? Workforce training? And, of course, help them determine the best housing option for when they leave Haven.” Since starting the program, 19 clients have moved into housing and five are pending housing arrangements.

Kens 5 reporter Meredith Haas visited Haven and spoke to Jessica and one of Haven’s young adult clients.

Click the link below to watch the story.

https://www.kens5.com/article/news/community/more-homeless-young-adults-at-haven-for-hope-organization-creates-program-to-bring-change-kens5/273-07e0fb15-1d42-4781-85ee-fea122502db7

Posted on

Nate’s Story: The Long Road Home

More than 15 years on the streets and then to a one-bedroom apartment…this is Nate’s story

Nate lived on the streets off and on for more than 15 years. Our Outreach Manager, Pete, built a relationship with Nate, checking in on him for about five years. Pete encouraged him to try Haven and access our wrap-around services.

One day, Nate told Pete he was ready. “It’s time for a change. I can’t do this anymore,” Nate said.

Nate came to Haven and within four months, he had his ID back, had reinstated social security benefits, took some budgeting classes, and reinstated his healthcare benefits. He was housed through a program between Haven and Opportunity Home.

To hear Nate’s story, click below.

Posted on

Haven’s Impact Report for FY 2023

Haven for Hope Releases its FY 2023 Impact Report

In FY 2023, Haven for Hope served 9,457 clients, the highest number since Haven opened in 2010. Of the 9,457 clients, 1,085 were children, and 722 were families.

“At Haven, we’ve seen an increase in families experiencing homelessness,” said Kim Jefferies, president and CEO of Haven for Hope. “Our Family Emergency Services numbers doubled from the previous year.”

Haven’s Family Emergency Services (FES) is designed for overflow families. Haven operates a Family Residental Center (FRC) with 102 rooms. Clients must be residents of Bexar County, with proof of residency of at least nine months during their lifetime. They also need a US government or state-issued ID.

FES provides access to shelter and resources for families in need. If a family is not from Bexar County, they are provided with a 15-day compassion placement, and Haven’s team will work with the clients on other options, including family reunification, financial assistance to return to their hometown, or connecting them with other shelter options.

Young adults, 18-24 years of age, is another segment of the populations with an increase in individuals experiencing homelessness. Many of these clients have aged out of the foster care system and have nowhere to go. Haven designed a Young Adult Program in FY 2023, which provides designated sleeping areas and specialized case management.

For more statistics from FY 2023, click here.

Posted on

Haven for Hope Prioritizing Local Families During Cold Weather Events

Contact: Terri Behling, Director of Communications 

941-685-0204  Terri.Behling@HavenforHope.org 

Haven for Hope Prioritizing Families During Cold Weather Events

January 10, 2024 – Haven for Hope has been operating over capacity for two years, averaging between 1650 and 1720 clients per night. As the weather in San Antonio gets colder and freezing temperatures are predicted into next week, Haven will prioritize emergency overflow winter sleeping space for San Antonio families experiencing homelessness.

Haven has been working with our partners in the Homeless Response System and the City of San Antonio on alternative shelter spaces for individuals seeking shelter during freezing weather events, as Haven will prioritize families. Corazon Day Center, Communities Under the Bridge, SAMMinistries, and will have emergency shelter capacity if needed. The Salvation Army and other partners in the Homeless Response System may also have space available. 

In addition to prioritizing families for overflow winter sleeping, Haven staff regularly provides winter weather gear to our clients. Haven’s Outreach Team distributes hand warmers, coats, sleeping bags, gloves, and other items to unsheltered individuals. In our community, coordinated outreach workers from CAM, Centro, and the City of San Antonio distribute warming items to unsheltered individuals and offer transport to those who want temporary shelter in local churches.  

If someone is experiencing homelessness and seeking services and shelter, they can call the City’s Homeless Connections Hotline at 210-207-1799. 

Posted on

Share the Warmth Donation Drive January 13

Haven for Hope is partnering with Smiles Behind Goods for a Share the Warmth event on Saturday, January 13, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The weather is predicted to get cold in San Antonio, and for those experiencing homelessness, a coat, hat, scarf, gloves, or long-sleeved shirt can go a long way.

If you live in San Antonio and can drop off some winter gear items to Haven this weekend, you won’t have to leave your car! Drive to our Donation Center, 1 Haven for Hope Way; volunteers will collect your donation. We’ll have some local social media influencers at Haven helping us collect the donations.

Can’t make it? Visit our Amazon Wishlist, choose an item, and it will ship directly to Haven!

If you would like to support Haven with a cash donation, your support will go a long way to keep our clients warm this winter. Click here to donate.

Posted on

Destin – Connecting with Peers

Destin is one of Haven’s Young Adult clients. Haven has seen an increase in young adults experiencing homelessness in our community. In FY 2023, Haven served 789 young adults aged 18-24, a 31% increase from the previous year.

Haven launched a Young Adult program, which includes 24 beds in our low-barrier side of campus, the Courtyard, and 28 beds on our Transformational Campus.

The young adult program includes specialty case management, gender-neutral restrooms, and common areas with TVs, gaming devices, and computers.

Posted on

Haven Client Moves into Apartment After Years on the Street

Nate came to Haven in May after spending years on the street. He had tried Haven before but didn’t stay. This time, he decided he needed to do something different with his life. “I was going down the wrong path,” Nate shares.

While at Haven, he accessed several resources, including ID recovery and financial literacy classes, and regained access to benefits.

Thanks to a new referral program with Opportunity Home, Nate qualified for affordable housing, which is permanent and available for single households for individuals 62 or older and/or someone with a disability.

KSAT News interviewed Nate in July while at Haven and did a follow-up story about his apartment. Watch the story by clicking here.