Housing Partnerships Increase Ability to Serve More Families Brittney Brown, Housing Director
Safe Haven Family Shelter is proud to be a part of The Family Collective (TFC), group of agencies across five counties in Middle Tennessee, working under the support of the United Way of Greater Nashville, to prevent and end family homelessness in our communities. We recently began a housing pilot program with St. Luke’s, a partner in The Family Collective, to help lower barrier families get into housing. These families often just need a little financial assistance to get back into housing. We were able house the first family in just four days! This family included a single mom with two daughters who is working hard as an assistant manager at a local
retail store. They were staying in a small one-bedroom apartment with many other family members, and it was not a great environment for her or her children. By providing some financial assistance and a rental step-down plan, Safe Haven was able to help this family get an apartment near the mom’s place of employment. This mom’s greatest barrier to housing was having all the money required to get into her own apartment, which is very a common barrier with the rising rental rates in Nashville. She and her children are thriving and remain stably housed. We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve this amazing mom and her children. It was wonderful to partner with St Luke’s in this walk alongside this family.
Volunteers Treat Kids to Fun & Enrichment Volunteers and donors play a key role in our Children’s Program by helping to provide enrichment experiences and activities. One example is our recent ‘Trunk or Treat’ held for Safe Haven families. Volunteers from the Junior League, Safe Haven Young Professionals Council and more made sure families had a safe opportunity to trick or treat with their little ones.
the gifts and decorate for the child. A Safe Haven parent recently said, “I’ve never wrapped any birthday presents before. I’m going to do it this time and have them all set out when she wakes up in the morning. She’ll be so surprised. I’m already surprised.” For more information about the Birthday Club including how to join with your own monthly donation, visit safehaven.org.
Another example is our Birthday Club, a recurring donation program started by Safe Haven’s Young Professionals Council. The monthly donations support the children’s program and help provide birthdays to children in Safe Haven’s program. Birthday boxes are delivered to the family so that the parent(s) can wrap
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