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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

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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Haven Receives $45,000 Grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Clients have access to multiple classes a week.

Haven is excited to announce the receipt of a $45,000 grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. The funding will help Haven provide shelter, housing, and wraparound support for people experiencing homelessness.

In addition, the grant will leverage state funding, thus doubling the impact of the support from Bank of America.

Since 2010, Haven has helped more than 43,000 clients transform their lives by providing access to valuable resources such as counseling, substance-use treatment, financial sustainability classes, income and skills development, housing assistance, and more. Working with more than 70 community partners, many with office space located at Haven, we address the root cause of an individual’s homelessness and meet our clients where they are.

To read about one client’s journey at Haven, click here!

 

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BLCCS Donates New Air Conditioner to Haven

BLCCS and Haven staff with new air conditioning unit.
The BLCCS and Haven teams pose in front of the donated air conditioning unit.

When Haven for Hope’s Chapel air conditioning unit was only running at 1/2 its capacity this summer, Shannon Mills, owner of BLCCS, knew something had to be done.

Haven has seen an influx of families experiencing homelessness and many of the Family Emergency Services clients sleep in the Chapel. The temperature was reaching 80 degrees every night. BLCCS who regularly maintains Haven’s HVAC systems determined the cost for repairs would be $18,000. But there was one problem, it was hard to find the parts. It was estimated it would take weeks or months to get it repaired. Plus the unit was more than 15 years old, so Mills decided Haven needed a brand new unit. BLCCS donated the 2,000-ton air conditioner and the labor for installation, at a value of more than $40,000.

“I started my business knowing I wanted to get to the point where I could give back,” said Mills. “We couldn’t have people who are already dealing with a difficult situation, sleep in uncomfortable conditions.”

Clients gathered near the Chapel to see the new unit get installed. “This is amazing,” said one client. “It’s been so hot in the Chapel at night. It makes it hard to sleep, especially for the babies and children.” When the clients found out the air conditioner was donated, they quickly expressed their gratitude to Mills and her team.

Click below to watch news coverage of the generous donation.

News 4

KSAT