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.

Don’t assume that because someone is homeless they are lazy.

Don’t assume that person doesn’t want to work.  They may in fact already BE working.  Most homeless people are working part time and some are full time.

Don’t assume they are looking for a handout to buy alcohol or drugs. 

Don’t assume drugs/alcohol/mental illness is what put them in this situation.  Many homeless people & families are homeless because they lost a job or got sick.  I know my husband and I would be homeless within a few months of losing a job…we have no savings to fall back on and we aren’t alone.

Don’t assume that all homeless people are men who ‘just don’t want to work’.  The majority of the homeless I have encountered are single women just trying to make it through the day.  They want to work but because of high housing costs & childcare costs it is nearly impossible. 

Don’t assume the homeless are homeless because they choose to be, as if it’s some exciting lifestyle they aspire to lead.  1.5 million of the homeless are CHILDREN. Do you think children choose to be ridiculed and hungry?

Don’t assume that it could never be you.

Household Products

Laundry (liquid) detergent and bleach, Dish detergent and scouring pads, Clorox-based cleaners (Clorox Clean-Up, toilet bowl cleaner, Clorox Wipes, etc.), Trans bags (heavy-duty large, kitchen size), Rubber / plastic gloves, Toilet paper, Paper towels, Napkins, Kleenex), Light bulbs (CFL)

Food Items

Dairy products (milk, butter, sour cream, eggs), Coffee, Sugar, Non-dairy creamer, Juice, Fresh meats, Fresh veggies and fruits, Canned fruits and meats, Cooking oil, Condiments (salad dressing, mayo, ketchup, etc.)

First Aid

Bandages, Antibiotic ointments, Pain relievers, Cold medications (adult and children), Children’s Tylenol, Rolaids, Orajel (tooth anesthetics)

Food Prep Items

Aluminum foil, Plastic wrap, Plastic utensils, Clear plastic storage bowls (with lids)

Office Supplies

Copier and printer paper, White-Out, Scotch Tape, Paper clips, Sticky notes, Colored folders, Spiral notebooks

Personal Hygiene Items

Toothpaste, Dental floss, Deodorant, Feminine hygiene items, Diapers, Baby wipes, Children’s shampoo, Antibacterial liquid hand soap, Hand and body lotion, Disposable razors, Shaving cream

Miscellaneous

Umbrellas, Socks (adult and children), Undergarments (adult and children), Towels (new or gently used), Linens (new or gently used), Pillows, Calendars or day planners, Wal-Mart gift cards

The Haven’s Wish List

SPARTA bus passes (adult and student), new CD player, Brand new pillows, New folding chairs, Alarm clocks

 Established in 1983 by Spartanburg’s Second Presbyterian Church, The Haven currently provides the largest safety net of services to homeless families in Spartanburg County.  The Haven operates daily at maximum shelter capacity, keeps a waiting list of homeless families seeking shelter and must turn away homeless families due to lack of bed space every single day.  “This is not the time to eliminate critical services and lock our doors during the day”, says Cindi Goodin, The Haven’s Executive Director.

 Some supportive services were reduced this week, and eliminating those programs entirely will be the next step if The Haven cannot find new donations and supplemental funds.  The Haven’s supportive services provide homeless families with much needed, guidance, resource referral and connection, solution-oriented brief counseling, education and life skills development in order to increase the likelihood of maintaining permanent housing upon exit from the shelter.  “Without this support, learning, and skill development the cycle of homelessness is destined to continue”, says Kelly Schlossin, Daily Living Skills Instructor at The Haven.  “Family members must gain understanding of how to navigate the services network to find work, obtain new job skills or GED, how to manage their personal finances and how to effectively parent their children,” she adds.

 The Haven must raise $50,000 in order to keep a minimum level of supportive service programs in operation.  Though times are economically precarious right now, The Haven is hopeful that the community will invest in this vital community safety net for the families and children who have lost their homes and their livelihoods.

 JAM in the PARK
to benefit The Haven
Duncan Park

Saturday, September 17
from 1:00p – 7:00p
we will have an info table there and ask for attendees to bring donations
Please plan to come and enjoy some good music!

Auction For a Cause

Friday, October 7 at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

 The Haven Participates in Uptown Seroma’s Auction for a Cause

An evening of fun, food and bidding for bargains awaits those who attend Uptown Sertom’s Auction for a cause on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. There will be silent auctions, a live auction, door prizes, free parking, free food, and live music. Tickets will be $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Doors open at 5:30.

Tickets may be purchased from any of the Haven’s Board of Trustees, or from the Haven’s office Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Agencies participating in addition to The Haven will be Bethlehem Center, Children Shelter of the Upstate, Christmas in Action, Camp Sertoma, RSVP(Retired Senior Volunteer Programs), Safe Homes-Rape Coalition, and Spartanburg Humane Society. For more information: Facebook site Auction for a cause or website www.auction4acause.org

5th Annual Homeless Vigil

Thursday, November 17

1.      How do families become homeless? For every family that comes through our door, there is a different story. The usual suspects – unemployment, addiction, unaffordable housing, and chronic poverty – make up just a small portion of the whole picture.

2.      Why are there so many homeless children? In 2010, The Haven sheltered 109 kids. I can only imagine what it must be like for a child to get off the bus at a shelter, or to not have his own bed, or to never have her friends over to play. One of the most important things I can say here is that homelessness does not equal neglect. It takes great courage and even greater love for a parent to bring a family here for help, and we take that commitment very seriously.

3.      What can I do to help? One of our men put it to me this way – if you are compelled to give, give without hesitation. The Haven exists on the efforts of our volunteers, and the generosity of our donors. Though perhaps it won’t end homelessness, I am inspired daily by the compassion of our community.

So, long story short, nobody is alone in misunderstanding homelessness. I hope you keep coming back to read blog entries from other staff, current and former Haven residents. It’s our way of reaching out to make homelessness an issue that we can all comprehend.

Thanks for reading!

Jessica Blasky

AmeriCorps*VISTA

Jessica Blasky at our 4th Annual Homeless Vigil on 11/18/10

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy’s and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com (be sure to enter The Haven Homeless Shelter as the charity you want to support), or click on the GoodSearch logo on our website. And, be sure to spread the word!