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Haven’s Impact to the Community – $5.6 Billion

Haven for Hope’s Economic Impact in San Antonio

The Kronkosky Charitable Foundation contracted with Steve Nivin, Ph.D. to conduct a Cost-Benefit Analysis of Haven for Hope. The purpose of the study was to measure the net benefits of the services provided by Haven for Hope to the community from 2007 – 2019. The benefits measured in the study included the economic and fiscal impacts of Haven’s operations, the economic and fiscal impacts of the volunteers at Haven, the benefits of reduced crime, the benefits of providing school stability to children, and the benefits of medical care, housing, and other care services.

Some key findings include:

  • Haven for Hope’s net benefits to the community averaged $5.6 billion.
  • For every $1 spent to create and operate Haven, the community has received $29 in benefits.
  • In total, benefits derived from the reduced criminal activity are approximately $142 million.
  • Haven for Hope assisted 3,911 clients with obtaining employment. Those 3,911 contributed more than $433 million  back to the community including $2,049,613 to local, state, and federal governments.

To read the full report, 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.

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Helping Students Address Their Hidden Bias

Haven for Hope collaborates with more than 70 community partners and organizations to bring our clients the most comprehensive services to help them transform their lives.  One of our partners is UT Health San Antonio.

 

UT Health San Antonio has remained committed to combating health care disparities in San Antonio and South Texas by expanding access to health care services for all vulnerable patient populations.

However, even with equality as a top priority for many health care professionals, addressing one’s personal bias remains a crucial part of preventing unnecessary barriers to patient care, said Vidal Balderas, DDS, MPH, an associate professor of comprehensive dentistry in the School of Dentistry.

Click here to read the story from UT Health San Antonio.

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Haven for Hope Prepares for Cold Weather Event

Haven for Hope operates year-round, 24/7. In extreme weather events, we make sure we have what we need to serve those experiencing homelessness, especially the unsheltered in San Antonio.

From distributing blankets, jackets, gloves, and hats to adding additional indoor sleeping capacity, we are prepared to serve those who need it. News4 San Antonio/Fox 29 stopped by Haven to see how we prepare for these weather events.

News4 Story – Click Here

Fox 29 Story – Click Here

 

 

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Haven for Hope Staff Participate in Annual Point in Time Count

The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that Continuums of Care conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night.  Each count is planned, coordinated, and carried out locally.

Haven for Hope participates in this event and staff volunteers to survey unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness. Care packages were prepared and given to survey participants.

Click here for local media coverage about the PIT Count.

 

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San Antonio is the first city to surpass housing 1,500 individuals through the House America Pledge

 

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

 

 

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Teens Transform Haven for Hope’s Hair Care Center

Teens Giving Back

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.

Haircare Center Transformation

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!