safe haven around town on monday 7 november

tomtidgewellNovember 7, 2022

More than 250 young people will be homeless in this city tonight

Karen and John Sherbut, founders of the Safe Haven Foundation, are opening their second home next month.

Haven’s Harbor, the latest initiative by the Safe Haven Foundation in Southern Calgary, will welcome its first residents next month. This provides a home for Haven’s Way Home and her nine young people graduating from like-minded programs.

Safe Haven was founded in 1996 by Karen Sherbut and John Sherbut. They had a vision to develop a program to keep homeless and at-risk girls safe on the streets and in schools.

After extensive research, it was determined that a comprehensive program was needed to provide long-term homes and all the support needed for girls who would otherwise call the streets ‘home’. it was done. And I needed a safe haven where I could stay with my live-in guardians, peer mentors, and a dedicated programming team to provide the support I needed.

Thanks to Sherbuts’ unwavering dedication and a growing number of loyal supporters of the couple’s interests, Haven’s Way opened its doors to young women in 2000. It served homeless young women from her 14 to her 24 who had no child welfare status. , a healthy and supportive home environment.

They were not only provided with housing, food and clothing, but also support to overcome trauma, overcome obstacles, complete an education, and become an independent and contributing citizen.

Today, the Safe Haven Foundation is recognized as a leader in delivering highly successful programs that have helped more than 80 young women (none returned homeless) to date.

But the need continues.

More than 250 young people will be homeless in this city tonight.

Over 77% have left home because of an abusive relationship with a family member, and 1 in 5 are involved in some form of trafficking.

No wonder more than half drop out of school.

With an average stay of about two and a half years at Havensway, young women are supported to reach their goals and create a secure future that ensures they never have to experience homelessness again.

The opening of Havens Harbor will provide continued support to nine like-minded young people graduating from Havens Way and pursuing post-secondary education while learning to live independently.

The onsite community hub has designated spaces that build community, form relationships, and create opportunities for young people to improve their lives and life skills. At this hub, alumni, Havens Harbor, and Havensway youth gather under one roof at hers for celebrations, financial literature lessons, community cooking her nights, and guest learning opportunities from her speakers. I can.

Safe Haven Foundation Community Engagement Officer Carolyn Holloway said an added benefit of Haven’s Harbor is that it allows girls to transition out of the program faster, opening the door to young girls who desperately need day-to-day support. says.

The Foundation has purchased a former apartment block building in Haven’s Harbor and is in the process of completing an exclusive renovation of the existing suites. Then add community hubs and other spaces as funds allow. Always confident and enthusiastic, his Sherbuts are no strangers to raising money for their cause and have launched a $2.4 million capital campaign budget.

With the help of board members, stakeholders, donors and volunteers, this figure is on track to be achieved by the end of next year.

Many of those supporters have been involved over the years. Like attorney Sandy Cameron, who was a founding member of the board. ConnectFirst Credit Union’s Executive Vice President and former CEO, Paul Kelly, believed in the foundation’s goals and brought his business, board and financial experience to great benefit to the organization. Keli Pollock, Creative Director of Daughter Creative, has only been on the board since 2020, but he has been involved with Safe Haven since 1999 when he created the first logo and brochure for Safe Haven. I’m here. Exceptional promotional materials.

We have raised over $530,000 to date and feel we are on track to reach our goal.

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Plantsie, which offers fully customizable plants for its ever-growing ‘plant parent’, has opened a new retail store in Southcentre Mall.

The unique botanical concept makes it easy to add houseplants to the family, allowing customers to embrace the plant’s individual persona.

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David Parker appears regularly in Herald. Read online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached by calling him at 403-830-4622 or emailing info@davidparker.ca.