Dear Safe Haven Friends,
As we enter the holiday season, what does “home” mean to you? For 21 homeless families with children, Safe Haven Family Shelter is their home for the holidays this year. The only shelter-to-housing program in Middle Tennessee that accepts the entire homeless family, Safe Haven provides much more than just a place to stay. Families receive financial education, therapy, debt reduction, essential academic and developmental tools for their children, and- most of all- the opportunity, to once again, secure a place to call home.
Thanks to your generous contributions and tireless support, we served 61 homeless families with children in 2011 and provided 955 family therapy sessions and 293 in-school therapy sessions. For the children, who acutely experience the physical and developmental trauma from homelessness, we provided essential in-school and play therapy, new educational toys, school uniforms, tutoring, medical care and other enrichment opportunities. This summer marked the first year that we were able to send 25 children to summer camp. With your help, we improved the emotional and academic well-being of 130 homeless children in the last 12 months.
We are also pleased to report that 86% of the families we served this year successfully secured housing and employment. This is one of the highest success rates in the country. One of our families was recently selected for a Habitat for Humanity build. Another parent reduced debt, received a promotion at work and is moving into a better apartment. These are just two of the many success stories at Safe Haven. Your generosity and service were instrumental in helping our families achieve this success.
Although our programs are effective, national statistics indicate that family homelessness continues to increase. We must answer the call to help more families in 2012. We receive more than 100 unduplicated requests for assistance each month from families with children who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. Last year alone, there were 1,600 homeless children in the Metro Nashville Metro school system. These daunting facts underscore the importance of our mission and the urgency to meet more needs.
As we all think about being “home for the holidays,” will you help ensure that our families continue to have not only shelter but a home to call their own? Your gift is extremely important to Safe Haven as we impact families now while building a firm foundation for continued services to homeless families in our community.
Your gift of $500, $250 or $100 can make all the difference in ensuring that homeless children and their families have a home this holiday and throughout the year. Individuals and groups can also join the Guardian Angel program to support a Safe Haven Family for 2 weeks, 45 days, 90 days or 12 months. Join us in our efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of our families by making a gift today. Thank you so much for your help! For more information or assistance in making a gift, please contact Rachael Wilkins at rwilkins@safehaven.orgor 615.256.8195.
Gratefully,
Joyce Lavery
Executive Director
P.S. Please click here for additional holiday giving programs.
