Haven’s Harbour to help young at-risk women get back on their feet

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A supportive housing mission for at-risk ladies is a step nearer to crossing the end line, because of a latest $1-million donation facilitated by the Calgary Basis.

Officers from the Protected Haven Basis say the nameless donation places the non-profit group inside $667,000 of its $2.6-million capital fundraising goal to finish its second housing mission — Haven’s Harbour.

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Carolyn Holloway, the inspiration’s group engagement officer, stated the donation is “big” for the Haven’s Harbour mission, which follows up from the group’s flagship supportive housing mission known as Haven’s Means.

“We’re a small group, so it’s very life-changing for us and the youth we serve,” she stated.

Holloway added the donation will allow the charity to repay a substantial chunk of its mortgage and to maneuver forward on continued renovations to the brand new constructing, which is slated to be absolutely operational later this 12 months.

Haven’s Harbour is a purpose-built facility that can home 9 ladies between the ages of 18 and 29 who’ve skilled or are susceptible to experiencing homelessness. Situated simply north of Marda Loop within the neighbourhood of South Calgary, the location will characteristic a combination of faculty dorm-style suites with shared kitchens and one-bedroom residences.

Will probably be the Protected Haven Basis’s second such supportive housing facility, having operated Haven’s Means in the neighborhood of Altadore since November 2000. Haven’s Means goals to get younger ladies and ladies who shouldn’t have baby welfare standing off the road and replicate a protected household surroundings as they full their highschool schooling, study life expertise and obtain helps comparable to trauma counselling.

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So far, greater than 100 ladies have come by Haven’s Means, in line with the inspiration.

‘A security web’: Haven’s Harbour to assist barely older clientele

Whereas Haven’s Means caters particularly to women and girls between the ages of 14 and 24, Holloway stated Haven’s Harbour intends to be for clientele who’re barely older. The brand new program will purposefully be much less hands-on, with an emphasis on supporting tenants as they pursue a post-secondary schooling, receive jobs and study to reside independently.

“It’s not the ultimate step, however it’s the subsequent step to getting them on their option to turning into unbiased and with the ability to full their post-secondary faculty,” she stated.

Nonetheless, the ladies who name Haven’s Harbour residence will obtain numerous helps, together with partially backed lease (50 per cent beneath market charges) and entry to instructional bursaries to finish their post-secondary research. Different helps embody help with writing resumes or getting ready for job interviews.

Holloway stated Haven’s Harbour was designed as the subsequent step for ladies who’ve transitioned from the supportive surroundings of Haven’s Means, however who will not be fairly prepared for full-fledged independence.

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“What we realized from alumni of that program was that it was too huge of a leap for them to depart Haven’s Means, regardless that for all intents and functions, they have been prepared,” she stated. “To go proper out into the group, pay lease and do all the pieces on their very own — a few of them felt that was too steep of a (step), so Haven’s Harbour is meant to be that little little bit of a security web for them.”

Funding nonetheless wanted

Whereas the latest $1-million donation will give Haven’s Harbour an enormous enhance, Holloway famous the group nonetheless requires about $667,000 to finish renovations and repay the constructing’s mortgage. Along with housing, the three-floor facility will embody a group hub within the basement, together with research areas, a gymnasium and full kitchen, the place tenants can be taught to cook dinner wholesome meals.

“We actually depend on the generosity of Calgarians, companies and organizations in the neighborhood,” she stated. “We don’t get any fee-for-service authorities funding or funding from the United Means, so each donation makes an enormous distinction towards reaching our finish aim.

“After we constructed Haven’s Means in 2000, we known as it the house that Calgary constructed, as a result of it was positively a joint effort to deliver it collectively. We’re hoping to interact the group as soon as once more to get Haven’s Harbour over the end line.”

For extra on the mission, go to havensharbour.ca

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