More than just a shelter, The Haven’s goal is to give our families hope. We surely couldn’t do it without the support of our community. To show our thanks, we’re inviting our volunteers for lemonade on the porch.

Join us on May 4th from 3 to 5 as we recognize the hard work of members in our community. We’d love to see you and catch up! If you’re interested in attending, RSVP through Eventbrite or join our event on Facebook. For questions, please feel free to e-mail Lyn at vista.hshelter@bellsouth.net.

Thanks to the West Spartanburg Rotary Club, our playroom is getting a much needed re-model. We’ve got about twenty kids who are really excited, and we could really use your help spreading the word about this project.

For a complete wish list, check out our note on Facebook.

The Easter Bunny will make an appearance, and families will have the opportunity to take pictures with him for a small fee.

To stay tuned as we figure out the details, check out our event on Facebook. If you’d like to attend, simply RSVP by contacting Kelly at dlsi.hshelter@bellsouth.net. We hope to see you there!

Join us for our Spring Yard Sale on March 16th! We’ll have books, clothes, furniture, and knick-knacks galore. Best of all, the proceeds will directly benefit families.

For more up-to-date information, check out our Facebook event group.

Planning on spring cleaning? We’ll happily take any gently used items that might sell at our yard sale. To  coordinate a drop-off, please e-mail Robin at pa2.hshelter@att.net.

The Haven is much more than an emergency shelter for families. Our motto is “Home, when there is no home.” But through intensive case-management and education, our goal is to give people the tools to build their own homes.

We’re lucky to have a community who feels the same way! To read more about our services, please visit our About Us page.

We always tell them that the answer is simple—“Santa always know where good children are!”  We help them understand that Santa never forgets about anyone—and each year, we feel blessed when our community comes through for us.

Looking to get involved? Here are just a few ways you can help:

Holiday Programs

• The Adopt-a-Family program. Make a difference in the lives of a family by making sure they have a wonderful Christmas.
• Gifts for Mom & Dad. Help a child buy a gift for Mom & Dad—go above and beyond by helping them wrap it!
• Haven Children. You or a group can sponsor our littlest residents. We’ll provide a list of current children, you provide gifts and a Christmas they’ll remember.
• Haven Moms & Dads. Moms and Dads deserve a merry Christmas, too! With the help of you or a group, we can make that happen.
• Holiday Drives. It’s easy to sponsor a holiday gift drive at your local church or business—here are just a few helpful drives you can start:

-  Warm clothing drive: coats, hats, gloves, scarfs, etc.
-  Toy drive: toys for Christmas and Birthdays
-  Stocking Drive: 40 stockings and stocking stuffers
-  Underwear/Socks drive: Underwear and socks for boys, girls, men & women (all sizes)

Volunteering

We always enjoy visitors during the holidays. Here are a few ways to donate your time this holiday season:

• Christmas present wrapping
• Dress up as Santa Claus—the kids love sitting on Santa’s lap and telling him their wishes. (Admittedly, they’re apathetic about the pictures—but parents love them.)
• Come sing carols, tell Christmas stories, or bake cookies with the kids here at The Haven—and invite your friends!

For questions or to find out more, please contact Kelly at dlsi.hshelter@bellsouth.net, or call The Haven at 582-6737.

The purpose of the Vigil is for our Upstate communities to come together to better understand the devastating impact that homelessness has on our city, our region, and our nation. The event is attended by individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness, as well as those who have never even come close. We hope to adjust misconceptions about homelessness by putting new faces on the issue: the faces of our families, our neighbors, and our friends.

Please join us on November 15 at 5:00 in Barnet Park. For more information, contact Lyn at vista2.hshelter@att.net.

Using their own experiences, speakers put a human face on homelessness and dispel common stereotypes. By fostering an environment of self-worth, respect, and understanding for all people, the Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau challenges audiences to believe that we can and should end homelessness.

The Haven is currently looking for individuals who want to join The  Bureau and tell their stories. If you or someone you know may be interested, please e-mail Lyn at vista.hshelter@bellsouth.net.

With a lifetime of possessions stuffed into backpacks. Dad, Mom and little ones walked through the Haven door. Mom, working on an entry level job and Dad, having paid his debt to society a half a decade ago and still unemployed, could no longer manage the costs of a home after loss of their vehicle. Within 90 days. Mom moves up the business ladder and Dad obtains not one but two jobs. Within 90 days, this loving family moved from the quicksand of homelessness to the solid ground of their apartment.