Haven for Hope’s President and CEO, Kim Jefferies recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with Haven for Hope. She wrote an op-ed piece about her year at Haven that was published in the San Antonio Express-News and San Antonio Report.
Read Kim’s guest editorial here!
Photo: Jerry Lara, Staff with San Antonio Express-News
Haven employee Kenneth Anderlitch is going to run across Texas to create awareness and funding for sober living programs and Haven’s partner, Pay it Forward, SA.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio has become the first of 70 cities aligned with the House America pledge that’s met and exceeded the goal of placing 1,500 people from the streets into permanent housing.
“Today, I am proud to announce that San Antonio has rehoused over 1,600 households,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
A coalition of non-profits and community leaders set a goal last fall to use funds from the American Rescue Plan for helping rehouse 1,500 households in San Antonio by the end of 2022.
“Congratulations for being the first House America community to not only meet but to exceed your rehousing goal,” said Marcia Fudge, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. “No community has ever solved homelessness by banning it.”
While the city was able to relocate 1,642 people into permanent housing, SAMMinistries President and CEO Nikisha Baker stressed there are still thousands of residents across Bexar County at risk of ending up on the streets.
“18% of our local households are living at or below the federal poverty level and another 33% are considered working poor, which means half of our neighbors are just one paycheck away from homelessness,” Baker said.
Haven for Hope continues to serve as an anchor for helping San Antonio’s homeless community. President and CEO Kim Jeffries noted soaring inflation and rising housing costs have contributed to the unprecedented number of families seeking shelter and services.
“Family dorm is full and we have 65 families in overflow and so those families are coming to us because of all of these factors and so that tells us that we still have work to do,” Jeffries said.
Click here for the news story on Kens5
Jack and Emma Heeney already understand the importance of giving back. Jack needed a project for his Eagle Scout rank. He asked his former Scout Master for ideas. Monty McCann, Life Safety Officer at Haven gave Jack a tour and pointed out two projects. The butterfly garden or the Hair Care Center.
Haven has operated a Hair Care Center since opening its doors in 2010. Volunteer barbers and hairdressers provide free haircuts and styles to Haven clients. For someone who has been experiencing homelessness, this is very impactful. A fresh haircut or style boosts one’s confidence, especially for a job interview. The Hair Care Center lacked personality and many of the supplies needed by the volunteers.
The remodel included new flooring, paint, frames around the mirrors, larger barber chairs, back bars for supplies, a TV, and a cordless vacuum. As a bonus, Jack secured a donated barber shop pole. The project helped Jack earn his Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts program. And Jack is only 15.
His sister Emma, age 17, got involved and is going for her Gold Star ranking (equivalent to the Eagle Scout) for the Girl Scouts. She secured supplies – clippers, scissors, hair care products, brushes, combs, etc. A family friend took photos on campus and around San Antonio. The black and white photos on the Hair Care Center walls add personality to the transformed space.
The value of the project is more than $13,000 and took approximately six months to complete. Haven’s volunteer barbers are thrilled with the new “look” and hope to recruit more volunteers to help in the Hair Care Center and make it accessible to clients multiple days per week.
Watch the impact of this project when KSAT interviewed Jack and Emma and one of Haven’s clients and volunteer barbers. It will inspire you. Click here to watch!
Haven for Hope President & CEO, Kim Jefferies, provided an update to the Bexar County Commissioner’s Court on Haven’s operations. She shared that we are seeing a record number of families experiencing homelessness. Watch KSAT’s coverage for more information.
Pedro was living under a bridge. He considered ending it all. One day, he looked in the mirror and decided he didn’t want to live that way anymore. Watch his powerful story of transformation!
During the 2008 recession, Alex’s parents lost their jobs and went through a separation. They came to Haven for Hope. The stress and reality sunk in. Alex’s mother worked with case managers and worked on a plan to transition into stable housing.
Here is his amazing transformational story about hope, and fulfilling his dream of attending college.
Courtney Freidman, reporter and anchor for KSAT News in San Antonio recently visited Haven for Hope and talked to one of our families about living at Haven for Hope and preparing for a new school here.
Kens 5 visited our Donation Warehouse to learn more about our increasing needs for donated water and sleeping mats. Watch the story here:
Gianna Adams may only be 10 years old, but she already exhibits Servant Leadership! She has been helping her grandmother, Carmi “Mia” Adkins in Haven for Hope’s Kennel for three years. She loves helping take care of the cats and dogs who stay at Haven for Hope while their owners work on their housing plans.
Haven’s kennel has room for 20 dogs and 10 cats. Pets are important and we recognize how therapeutic it is for clients to be able to keep their pets safe while staying at Haven. Clients are responsible for feeding their pets and visiting them twice a day. Haven provides food, supplies, and basic vet care including core vaccines and flea treatments. Mia and her volunteers, including Gianna, help keep the kennel areas clean, restock supplies and make sure the pets are well cared for.
Gianna loves dogs but doesn’t mind changing the kitty liter and giving the cats fresh water and treats. “She used to be scared of the cats, but now she loves to play with them,” Mia said.
“Animals respond to love and that’s what we provide here,” Mia continued. When asked if she wants to care for pets as an adult? Gianna shakes her head. Her dream job? Illustrating children’s books.
We have no doubt, that Gianna will do great things in the future!
