Haven for Hope was invited to participate in an interview with The Source on Texas Public Radio. The interview is approximately 30 minutes long and is available below in three separate segments.
Haven for Hope on Texas Public Radio’s The Source
Haven for Hope – Successful Model Combining Shelter with Resources
Haven for Hope – More than a Shelter
As Haven continues to celebrate fifteen years of serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community, Vice President of Programs, David Huete, wrote an article about the importance of combining shelter with services.
Our clients’ daily needs are met, but they also have access to so much more, including behavioral health, substance-use services, housing, employment services, classes, ID recovery, benefits assistance, and more.
Haven works with more than 75 community partners to help our clients transition their lives out of homelessness.
Haven’s Outreach Teams Featured in the News
Haven’s Outreach Efforts Expand into Balcones Heights
Haven for Hope has four Outreach Team members who engage with our community’s unsheltered neighbors. They provide access to water, snacks, hygiene items, and discuss community resources. Community resources encompass a wide range of services, including ID recovery, benefits enrollment, and emergency shelter services.
Haven’s outreach efforts expanded into Leon Valley last year, and due to the success of the program, the team is now serving Balcones Heights.
Georgina Schmahl Joins Haven for Hope as Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Schmahl Joins Haven
Georgina Schmahl is Haven for Hope’s new Vice President and Chief Development Officer, overseeing the Development, Volunteer Services and Communications Departments.
Schmahl brings vast experience in fundraising and donor relations. She holds a degree in Marketing from St. Mary’s University. She has worked in higher education and healthcare at organizations such as St. Mary’s University, Our Lady of the Lake University, and University Health Foundation.
Haven for Hope’s CEO Leaving to Run Nonprofit Outside of Texas
Haven’s President and CEO, Kim Jefferies, is Leaving Haven, but not the Homeless Industry
Kim Jefferies joined Haven for Hope in November of 2021. Haven for Hope opened in 2010 and is considered a national model for addressing homelessness. More than a shelter, Haven provides wrap-around, person-centered services to those experiencing homelessness in our community.
While saddened to leave Haven, Jefferies is excited to continue the spirit of Haven’s work in a similar nonprofit outside of Texas.
Learn more in an article by Iris Dimmick, senior reporter for the San Antonio Report.
Haven for Hope seeks RFPs for Living Room Training
Living Room Training RFPs Needed
Haven for Hope of Bexar County is seeking proposals from qualified providers to deliver training on the “Living Room Model” and therapeutic techniques to enhance the capacity of our clinical and frontline staff. This training aims to improve crisis response outcomes and support clients transitioning between levels of mental health care and improve crisis response outcomes. (Link to full RFP below).
Proposal Submission Deadline:
Interested parties should submit their proposals by 5:00 PM, Thursday, February 13, 2025, via email to David Huete (David.huete@havenforhope.org) with a copy to RFP@havenforhope.org.
Informational Session:
A Teams meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, to discuss the RFP and answer questions. Email David Huete (David.huete@havenforhope.org) with a copy to RFP@havenforhope.org to request access.
Scope of Work:
- General Staff Clinical Training: Provide training in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Crisis Response Planning, Reflective Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.
- Crisis Counseling (Living Room Model): Conduct training sessions for staff on crisis counseling using the Living Room Model, with follow-up practice sessions.
- Staff Crisis Management Training: Deliver didactic training and follow-up practice sessions focused on effective crisis management.
Requirements:
- Provide training materials, post-training assessments, and follow-up consultation.
- Proposals must include a detailed cost breakdown and a company profile, including relevant experience.
- Proposals should meet insurance and compliance requirements.
Contact Information:
For inquiries and submissions, please contact:
- David Huete, Vice President of Transformational Services: david.huete@havenforhope.org with a copy to RFP@havenforhope.org
For complete details, download the full RFP document linked here.
Share the Warmth Donation Drive – January 11
Haven for Hope and Smiles Behind Goods to Host 2nd Annual “Share the Warmth” Donation Drive
WHO: To amplify our efforts and engage the community, Haven for Hope is partnering with several local influencers who will promote the event and encourage community involvement. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet and interact with these influencers, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose in supporting those in need.
WHAT: Haven for Hope, in collaboration with Smiles Behind Goods, is excited to announce the 2nd annual “Share the Warmth” drive-through donation drive on Saturday, January 11.
“Share the Warmth” is a vital initiative to collect much-needed winter gear for individuals experiencing homelessness. All items collected will be distributed directly to Haven for Hope clients and support our expanding Outreach Program. Program. With colder temperatures in the forecast, this event is crucial in ensuring our clients are prepared and protected against the harsh winter conditions.
Haven for Hope has set an ambitious goal to collect 3,000 pieces of winter gear, including coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and beanies. The donation drive will be a drive-up and drop-off event. Haven also has a special Amazon Wishlist of winter clothing. The items ship directly to Haven’s Donation Center. Here is a link to the list.
WHEN: Saturday, January 11, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
WHERE:
Haven for Hope
1 Haven for Hope Way
San Antonio, 78207
Donation Center
About Smiles Behind Goods:
Smiles Behind Goods is a charitable organization committed to supporting underprivileged communities by providing essential goods and services. Their mission is to bring hope and happiness to those in need through community-driven initiatives and partnerships.
JCB Donates Scissor Lift to Haven
JCB, a global manufacturing company, is expanding into San Antonio. Its 720,000-square-foot factory open in 2026. JCB’s leadership and staff are making an impact in our community.
Their team members volunteered at Haven and installed netting to help reduce the number of pigeons on our campus. During that project, they noticed that Haven was missing a key piece of machinery.
Over the years, when a project required a scissor lift, we set it aside until we had enough projects to warrant renting the lift for a few days.
JCB decided to help out by donating a new lift. “This generous gift from JCB will significantly enhance our Facilities team’s efficiency, as we have numerous projects that require a lift,” said Kim Jefferies, President and CEO of Haven. “Previously, we had to rent the equipment, which added time and cost to our efforts.” From installing signage to changing light bulbs and painting projects, the lift will be beneficial.
“JCB’s collaboration with Haven reflects our longstanding commitment to giving back to communities. This value is ingrained in our family-owned legacy,” says David Carver, operations director for JCB San Antonio. “Our involvement in local outreach programs aligns with our core values, ensuring that those who are most vulnerable receive the support and resources they need.”
JCB is a family company founded on October 23, 1945, and is now one of the world’s largest privately owned manufacturers of construction, agricultural, and defense equipment, with 22 factories worldwide. JCB recently began work on a new $500 million factory in San Antonio, Texas, the biggest investment in its history.
Valero Alamo Bowl – More than Just a Football Game
On Saturday, December 28, the #17 BYU Cougars will face off against the #20 Colorado Buffalos in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Both teams are in town this week and enjoying fun activities around the city.
Both teams are also making an impact! Earlier this week, players from Colorado packed hygiene kits for Haven and gave away 100 bikes for disadvantaged youth in San Antonio. On Saturday, the BYU Alumni will host CougCares, a tailgate where attendees are asked to bring donations for Haven.
It will be a good football game; tune in at 6:30 PM on ABC.
The picture above is of Colorado Buffalo players preparing the hygiene kits. Below is a story about the tailgate event that aired on KSAT.
Haven Announces Trauma-Informed Care Certification
Haven for Hope Earns Trauma-Informed Care Designation
Haven for Hope is proud to announce that it has officially earned its designation as a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) agency. This distinction underscores Haven for Hope’s unwavering commitment to providing holistic, compassionate, and effective services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Becoming TIC certified is a rigorous, lengthy process involving internal assessments and evaluations, client and staff surveys, and training provided by the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care at University Health. The journey culminates with a desk review conducted by The Ecumenical Center. Certification requires a thorough review of an organization’s practices, procedures, facilities, and staff support across five key areas: safety (physical and interpersonal), transparency and trustworthiness, respect and empowerment, collaboration and policy, and skill-building and emotional intelligence.
“Achieving Trauma-Informed Care certification is a transformative milestone for Haven for Hope, our staff, and our clients,” said Kim Jefferies, President and CEO of Haven for Hope. “Trauma impacts everyone, whether directly or indirectly. This designation ensures that our team is equipped to recognize and respond to trauma in ways that foster trust, resilience, and healing. It’s about creating an environment where we avoid retraumatizing individuals and actively empower them to rebuild and thrive.”
Trauma-Informed Care builds a foundation of understanding that everyone carries experiences of trauma, which can manifest in unexpected ways. By applying TIC principles, Haven for Hope strengthens its ability to foster a culture of safety, transparency, and empowerment—ultimately improving outcomes for the thousands of people it serves annually.
