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!
318
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