Home on the Horizon - Safe Haven Newsletter Q4 2023

HOME ON THE HORIZON THE SAFE HAVEN NEWSLETTER | Q4 2023

Success of The 100 Day Challenge is Just the Beginning PAGE 2

Reflecting on the Impact of our Work PAGE 4

Hiking the Trail for Hope and Home PAGE 6

safehaven.org Q4 2023

EM P OWER I N G FAM I L I E S BE YO N D H O M EL E S S N E S S S I N CE 19 8 4 PAGE 1

Success of The 100 Day Challenge is Just the Beginning Jennifer Reason, Chief Operating Officer

The need for housing support for families experiencing homelessness has increased significantly. Over the past three years, the number of families on the Nashville-area by name list as nearly doubled. That is not because Safe Haven is serving less people. We served 320 families in 2022, a 28 percent increase over 2021, and we are on track to serve even more families this year. While we are scaling up, the end of the eviction moratorium, inflation, limited access to childcare, lack of transportation and lack of affordable housing are all playing a role in the increase in need.

Safe Haven, along with community partners, knew we needed to do something more.

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: APRIL CALVIN, OFFICE OF HOMELESS SERVICES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; DREW FREEMAN, SAFE HAVEN CEO, FORMER MAYOR JOHN COOPER; ROD DEVORE, UNITED WAY 2 GEN DIRECTOR; COLLEN MAYER; JENNIFER REASON, SAFE HAVEN COO; ERICA MITCHELL , UNITED WAY EXECUTIVE VP; BRIAN HASSETT, UNITED WAY CEO

On August 28, we joined The Family Collective of the United Way of Greater Nashville along with more than 30 community organizations and government offices to launch the 100 Day Challenge. One goal of the Challenge was to house 100 Nashvillearea families experiencing homelessness in 100 days. With 12 days to spare, we exceeded that goal and have housed 106 families as of November 27. Safe Haven has housed nearly half of those families.

Though we have exceeded the goal, we are not slowing down. The Challenge is just the beginning. Our coalition of community and government partners are all working in close coordination to share best practices, continue to test new ways of working together and find faster solutions for helping families. We will use data and best practices uncovered to implement an ongoing strategy to more efficiently house families in our community.

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COMMUNIT Y PARTNERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNIT Y SOLUTIONS | BUILT FOR ZERO GATHERED IN AUGUST TO PLAN FOR THE 100 DAY CHALLENGE.

The 100 Day Challenge was unique in part for its focus on family homelessness. Family homelessness is referred to as hidden homelessness because many families are doubling up with other families, staying in their cars, shelters, etc. This less visible nature of family homelessness makes it more challenging to identify. Another goal of the Challenge was to create more awareness about family homelessness. We implemented a community-wide breakfast kickoff event, launched a social media campaign, increased collaboration with community organizations and schools, met with elected officials and garnered some media attention.

THE SAFE HAVEN NEWSLETTER

We were grateful to have The 100 Day Challenge featured in an OpEd in the Tennessean as well as a recent front-page article. We also had local news stories highlights through WKRN, News Channel 5 and Fox17. You can visit Safe Haven’s social media channels to view this media coverage.

All of the groups involved in the Challenge believe family homelessness is solvable. Our collective vision is a Nashville where family homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring, a concept known as “functional zero.” There will likely always be isolated instances of family homelessness in Nashville, but our goal is that when this does happen, our community will be able to respond decisively and quickly so that every family facing homelessness will immediately be connected with resources and housing.

We know this vision is possible, and we have the will, energy

and expertise to move towards functional zero. That being said, we cannot do it without the help of donors and housing partners.

Please visit 100DayNashville.org for more information on how to get involved. Together, we will do all in our power to continue this important work and make family homelessness a rare occurrence in our community.

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: BRIAN HASSETT, UNITED WAY OF GREATER NASHVILLE CEO; HAL CATO, COMMUNIT Y FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TN CEO; ERICA MITCHELL , UNITED WAY EXECUTIVE VP; DREW FREEMAN, SAFE HAVEN FAMILY SHELTER CEO.

Understanding Family Homelessness Families are the center of Safe Haven’s work; it is one of the things that make us unique as we keep families experiencing homelessness together as we work to provide housing and resources for them. Family homelessness is different from individual, veteran, or youth homelessness.

By definition, family homelessness refers to a lack of stable, safe and appropriate housing for one or more adults with dependent children. Homelessness can impact families across various socio-economic backgrounds and can cause significant challenges for both adults and children.

Family homelessness is often referred to as “hidden” or “invisible” in comparison to individuals experiencing homelessness. This is because

Q4 2023

experiencing homelessness on the by name list (a coordinated entry list managed by Metro Social Services). In the 20212022 school year, Metro Nashville Public Schools reported 3,200 students experienced homelessness.

families are often living doubled up (two families living in a space meant for one) or living in cars, motels or shelters.

The causes of family homelessness are varied, but among the most common are lack of affordable housing, evictions, medical illness, job loss, lack of living wages and domestic or intimate partner violence. There are currently around 500 families

Understanding the unique nature of family homelessness is crucial in designing effective interventions to support vulnerable families in need of housing support. Safe Haven knows that housing ends homelessness. We work to house families as soon as possible and then provide other programs, resources and referrals. We are also working in partnership with community partners and government offices to find ways to collaborate on services and intervention so that one day, we can end family homelessness.

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Reflecting on the Impact of our Work Drew Freeman, CEO

While we are moving into the final days of 2023, it is a chance to reflect upon on our work and accomplishments. We have immense gratitude for our donors, volunteers and supporters who have played a pivotal role in helping families have a place to call home this holiday season. Our staff also deserves gratitude for their expertise, passion and service.

They have worked diligently to reach more families and lead the work around family homelessness in our community.

There is much to celebrate in our work this year. Here are just a couple highlights: ~

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We have served 321 families and made 142 housing placements as of 11/27/23.

We received additional grant funding to serve more families experiencing domestic violence.

We have served 94 families to date through this grant.

In August, we joined the Family Collective of United Way of Greater Nashville, the national movement Built for Zero and over 30 partners in the community to launch The 100 Day Challenge to house 100 families in 100 Days. At the time this goes to print, we have already exceeded our goal having housed 106 families (as of 11/27/23). Through this Challenge, we have learned new ways of working together and increasing efficiency among partners to activate a long-term plan to make family homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring in our community.

Our employment navigators have had 499 employment sessions with our clients and launched a HiSET adult education program.

Our youth program staff have provided 201 students with educational support, collected 5,177 school supplies and delivered 192 literacy baskets to families.

The 2023 Dancing for Safe Haven had a record-breaking year raising nearly $1.3 million.

While there is much to celebrate for the families served, our services are needed desperately, now more than ever before. There are over 500 families awaiting housing support services in the Nashville area, and the cost to shelter and house families has nearly doubled since 2019.

We need our community of supporters to partner with us as we work to meet the increased demand for services. Please consider joining us in this effort by making a year-end gift. Together, we will create a community where every family has a place to call home.

Look what we accomplished together in the past year!

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141 91% 712 FAMILIES SERVED

HOUSING PLACEMENTS

CHILDREN

499 51 201 SUCCESS RATE*

EMPLOYMENT SESSIONS

STUDENTS

PROVIDED WITH EDUCATION SUPPORT* *

HOUSING PARTNERS

As of 11/19/23 * Families in stable housing for one year. ** Includes school enrollments & transfers, providing school supplies, school uniforms, etc.

1 23 4 3 R D AV E N U E S O U T H

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NASHVILLE, TN 37210

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615.256.8195

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THE SAFE HAVEN NEWSLETTER

Educational Support and Enrichment Activities for Children & Youth Hope Hodnett, Youth Program Director

Did you know? ~

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1 in 30 children in the U.S. experience homelessness annually 1 in 19 children experience homelessness before the 1st grade 51% of homeless children are under the age of 6

This year, as of November 20, we have served 712 children. We work to lessen the effects of childhood trauma by providing basic needs, resources, and referrals along with family enrichment activities and educational support.

In addition to educational support, we also provide enrichment activities, celebrations, and opportunities to play and have fun. Over the summer we provided weekly adventure boxes to families filled with fun activities. This fall we hosted a reverse trick or treat event for Halloween. And throughout the year, we provide families with supplies and gifts to celebrate their children’s birthdays.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, donors and supporters who help make these activities possible.

Among the highlights of our recent work include: ~

Provided 201 students with educational support (includes school enrollments & transfers, resources, supplies, etc.)

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Collected 5,177 school supplies

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Delivered 192 book baskets to families

Dancing for Safe Haven is May 4

Save the date for the 15th Annual Dancing for Safe Haven on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

For more information about the event, visit dancingforsafehaven.org.

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Hiking the Trail for Hope and Home A beautiful, crisp autumn day brought families and friends together on November 4th at Percy Warner Park for the 19th Annual Hike for Safe Haven event where together, we raised $160,000. More than only a fundraising event, the Hike is easily one of the best family, fall events in Nashville and is filled with a joyful feeling of community support and a spirit of giving back.

We appreciate the leadership and support of our co-chairs Liz Marchetti and Heather Coffelt along with our honorary chair Richard Courtney. Thank you also to the Young Professional Council members who helped lead the charge: Gaea Forrester, Anna Kathryn Groom and John Tougher. And we want to recognize our presenting sponsors Amazon and CURB for their generous commitment to the event.

Presenting Sponsors:

Pathway Sponsors:

SAFE HAVEN CEO DREW FREEMAN JOINS HIKE CO-CHAIRS HEATHER COFFELT AND LIZ MARCHETTI AT THE STARTING LINE.

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THE SAFE HAVEN NEWSLETTER

Each year, we award the Golden Boot to the top team and individual fundraisers. This year, Richard Courtney raised over $35,000 and won the individual award. The Vaco team, led by team captain Liz Marchetti, raised $6,500 to

earn the team award. The Team Building award for the team with the most members raising money went to the Riverfront Condo Association led by team captain Julie Nell. The Youth Award was once again secured by Lipscomb Academy 5th Graders, raising over $2,000 for families in need!

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: HIKE CO-CHAIR LIZ MARCHETTI, SAFE HAVEN BOARD PRESIDENT EDMUNDO CEPEDA , HIKE CO-CHAIR HEATHER COFFELT, SAFE HAVEN CEO DREW FREEMAN

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We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated, supported, and contributed to the success of the Hike for Safe Haven. Your dedication embodies the true essence of community and serves as a beacon of hope for families in their journey towards home.

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Welcome Home: The Impact of Household Donations Rachael Wilkins, Chief Development Officer

Oftentimes, individuals, groups, corporations and faith communities are eager to find ways to increase support of Safe Haven’s families, and Safe Haven has a great need for not only monetary gifts, but the purchase of item donations for families moving into a home.

We provide Welcome Home kits to families moving into their own housing so they will have the items they need to set up their household. These kits include items like cleaning products, dishes, cookware, linens, bath items, vacuums, and more. The general cost of a Welcome Home home kit for a family is around $575.

Our supporters make a huge impact by donating new household items. In fact, last year, around 6,500 items were donated and valued at $55,000!

However, as we move more families into housing, our need for these household donations also rise. We are structuring a new way to ensure that we have enough donations coming in throughout the year.

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THE SAFE HAVEN NEWSLETTER

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP: ~

Host a donation drive with your company, organization or within your network of family and friends. Email donationdrive@safehaven.org if you are interested in learning more.

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Purchase one or more items on our needs list and schedule a delivery time at Safe Haven. Visit our current needs on our website to view a list of household items.

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Visit our Amazon, Target or Walmart wish lists to purchase items and have them delivered to Safe Haven.

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Become a recurring donor of household items or Welcome Home Kits. We need sponsors for 2024.

Companies and organizations who want to regularly provide a certain household item, monthly, quarterly or once a year are needed. Please email donationdrive@safehaven.org to register.

Your donations of new household items are a wonderful way to help us welcome families home. If you have any questions, feel free to email me a rwilkins@safehaven.org.

Most of the items we accept as donations need to be new and unopened. You can visit our website to see a list of items that we do and do not accept. If you have items to donate that we cannot accept, please consider donating them to Thrift Smart located at 4890 Nolensville Road. When donating, please say it is in support of Safe Haven Family Shelter. This helps us earn credits that families can use to purchase the items they need.

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Volunteers Enrich Our Mission and Programs Alexandra Furr, Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager

Volunteers support Safe Haven’s mission and programs in a multitude of ways and are as essential in their function as they are immense in their impact!

We are tremendously fortunate to share in community and work to end family homelessness, together! ~

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We introduced Family Events in the summer. They now occur six times a month with events ranging from skill-sharing classes, creative workshops, movement classes, musical performances, therapy dog visits with Mena, open office hours with area resources, themed movie nights, games and crafts nights, hair services, pampering events and more.

Our community partnerships grew exponentially with new and local partnerships including Forward Flora, Small World Yoga, Nashville Street Barbers, HERO Doughnuts, Mercy Chefs, Music aLIVE and more.

Through our partnership with Schneider Electric we created sustainability around our community garden with tools and a canopy to ensure proper care. New benches were also installed for socialization and rest.

With help from Hands on Nashville and Amazon, we were able to improve our basement’s organization and efficiency.

Through our relationship with Teriyaki Madness, we established a Shelter Bike Program, which provides more than a dozen bikes to both our HiSET families and families in the community. Additional thanks to Schneider Electric for contributing locks and a bike rack to this bike program.

The Junior League of Nashville and Safe Haven’s Young Professionals Council helped us hold multiple Family Events, supply drives and more.

More than 100 volunteers helped make the 19th Annual Hike for Safe Haven an incredible event community event that raised over $160,000.

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THE SAFE HAVEN NEWSLETTER

We are equally as grateful for our volunteers who show up for our families weekly by supporting our HiSET adult education program and helping our operations and youth teams with childcare, administrative tasks, inventory, Birthday Club, holiday prep, tutoring and more. We are thankful to our incredible community partners who ensure our families have nourishing dinners throughout the week.

We appreciate the many volunteers who helped our families sustain housing and live more fully through the delivery of dining sets, mattress deliveries, lawn care, cleaning projects and more. Further we are thankful for our translation volunteers who help us support our families more fully and increase accessibility to resources.

Volunteerism can look like many things, and this year we asked you, “How can and would you like to show up for us?” We are in awe of your response, and we look forward to doing even more in 2024!

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER FACEBOOK GROUP for the latest volunteer opps, announcements and fun!

If you would like to get involved, have a skill to share or would like more information, please email me at afurr@safehaven.org.

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15th Annual Hike for Support Homeless Breaks Record

our work with a donation

Our hearts and spirits were warmed by the generosity and support of everyone involved with the 15th Annual Hike for the Homeless presented by Curb Records, First Farmers Bank and Hippie Radio. Special thanks to our Hike Co-Chairs Richard Courtney and Kerry Brock. More than safehaven.org 1,000 people joined us at the Hike, and together, we raised over $155,000, more than we have ever before. What an incredible way to mark this special 15th anniversary of the event! Visit hike4homeless.org to learn more about the 15th Annual Hike for the Homeless.

G.our Forrester Thank you to 2019 Hike for the Jacqueline Homeless sponsors:Komos Addison Nunes Presenting Sponsors: Walker Richardson Curb Records Brent Roe-Hall First Farmers Lauren Wheeler Hippie Radio Pathway Sponsors: Dayspring Farm Joni Werthan of Warioto Farm Trailhead Sponsors: Bone McAllester Norton Cerner Chris Young Community Health Systems Data Blue- Dell EMC Dickinson Wright Fridrich & Clark Ingram Express Services Messer MP& F Strategic Communications Richard Courtney, Realtor SunTrust Swiftwick Staffing as a Mission

w w w . s a f e h a v e n . o r g

Welcome to new Young Professionals Council members:

1234 3RD AVENUE SOUTH NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37210 www.safehaven.com