A special grant challenge awarded to HAVEN, an Oakland County agency that offers treatment, prevention and support services to families dealing with domestic and sexual violence, will double donations to the non-profit through September 2011.HAVEN is among 21 agencies selected for the “Community Foundation Challenge for Emergency Food & Shelter," launched by the Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan (CFSEM) in partnership with the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. HAVEN received a $50,000 matching grant, which will match new donations and increased gifts made to support HAVEN’s emergency residential services from November 1, 2010 through September 2011. Throughout southeastern Michigan the foundation will match one dollar for every two dollars raised with a goal of generating $3.3 million for 21 participating organizations. Gifts to HAVEN’s endowment, which is a part of the CFSEM program, will be matched dollar for dollar.
“We are very excited about HAVEN’s participation in this program and applaud both the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation for recognizing the challenges of Agency’s like HAVEN and for making this investment in the lives of those in our community who are struggling the most,” state Beth Morrison, HAVEN’s President and CEO.
Shelter costs top $2,000+ per client
HAVEN’s shelter costs over a million a year to run and houses 30-60 people for approximately 30-45 days. It costs in excess of $2,000 to house a client for a typical stay. Because HAVEN is often at full capacity, they sometimes have to turn down those seeking housing and use their extensive referral systems including the Oakland County Task Force on Homelessness to find other resources.
Those who arrive at the shelter are escaping danger so the first order of business is their safety. Next trained professionals work with clients to provide counseling and guidance. In addition to domestic violence counseling for individuals and groups, the residents can also participate in training workshops on stress management, parenting, and budgeting. Safety planning is a critical component of care that all residents participate in. Some may have arrived at the shelter as part of a safety plan they had previously designed with a professional at HAVEN though their hotline, website or other resources.
Many shelter residents are families with children. Their privacy is paramount. Children who leave their homes and go to shelter become, in fact, homeless. HAVEN makes sure that they go to the school of their choice and have healthy activities during their stay.
Shelter residents are provided a safe place to “relaunch" their lives. They are encouraged to spend the majority of their days finding work and a new place to live. HAVEN helps by providing transportation- either through bus tickets or transportation to medical appointments and job interviews.
Dramatic decline in donations of nonperishables
Ernestine McRae is a nine-year employee of HAVEN, serving the last three as Residential Program Director at the shelter. She notes that in these trying economic times she has seen changes. Donations, both monetary and in-kind are down. HAVEN has seen a dramatic decrease in the decline of donations of nonperishable items, such as canned goods, cereals, etc.
McRae is proud of the services HAVEN provides. A recent resident was a mom who had left her partner after years of abuse. “She told me that HAVEN had given her everything she needed from legal resources to group counseling to making sure her kids got to school.”
In addition to the funds which are being matched for the next year through the Community Foundation Challenge, HAVEN is always looking for volunteers. Opportunities include male mentors who work as positive role models in structured playtime to tending HAVEN's garden, or serving or hosting a meal for residents. In-kind donations are always needed as well. Most needed items include such as bedding and cleaning supplies are always needed. A compete list can be downloaded at haven-oakland.org
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