Over three years ago, the Smiths were facing multiple crises: “We had a house fire…all the property was completely destroyed. The smoke destroyed it all,” John remembers (names have been changed).
Other shelters could take Angela and the girls, “but not us together.” Haven House welcomed the family, including John who at the time was also recovering from being struck by a car. “I had a traumatic brain injury. They were very open…it was remarkable, they worked with us really well.” Angela says that while in shelter, our re-housing program became”the foundation for everything we have, as far as learning how to be better with money. Not just to budget, but to plan.”
“There’s been a rollercoaster of situations in our life,” Angela explains. “The house we’re in now, we’ve been there for two years, almost two-and-a-half.” John added that our follow-up program contributed to the family gaining long-term stability after leaving shelter for a home of their own again. “There was continuous checking in, help managing money, that was really helpful for us.”
Angela says that successfully completing Haven House’s shelter and re-housing programs required significant effort on their part, saying “the program works, if you actually work.” Even though John and Angela have successfully completed our Partners in Progress program, they remain grateful for the skills they gained from our staff, which they use every day to organize and improve their own lives. So even now, more than two years after leaving shelter, Angela still says “Haven House–they’re helping us.” Donate now to help a family >>