Laughter of little ones and squeals of delight were the sounds associated with the Haven Ministries’ Shelter this season as Haven Ministries cared for 10 children (along with their parents) throughout the months of December 2016 through April 2017. Many nights in the late winter, the shelter experienced either near or full capacity conditions. Over the season, 31 men, women, and children were provided hope through the provision of the basic needs of shelter, clothing, food, and other resources.
Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries, comments, “At one time during the season, 10 of the 15 guests were children accompanied by responsible parents. We also hit maximum capacity some nights and for the first time in our history of 12 years, we had to turn people away. It just shows what the needs are for families in our community.”
Sandi Wiscott, Haven Ministries’ Case Manager, worked fervently to assist every shelter guest by connecting them with area services including jobs, educational and training programs, medical care, and housing. She comments, “One hundred percent of the guests came to us literally homeless, thereby they lacked a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence – as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of this group, 73 percent moved on to safe and affordable housing.”
One of the shelter guests mentioned, “A lot of people have pride and won’t seek out assistance like this. I had to do this and it has been a blessing to me both financially and spiritually. The people at Haven Ministries don’t look down on you or judge you. They have deep love for the people they serve.”
“Loving people is what we do,” said Krista Pettit, Executive Director. “We do what we can to whoever is present before us. Our hope is that through this process, the love of Jesus Christ, through the words and actions of His followers, is made known.”
Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a Resource Center at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with job training, educational programming, and case management services. The Haven Ministries Food Pantry is held on the third Friday monthly at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Our Daily Thread Thrift Store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For further information about Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries.org or call 410-739-4363.
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