Adjusting to Meet Emergent Needs

If there is one thing that Rose Haven has mastered, it is the ability to adapt. This has never been more evident than during this current COVID-19 epidemic. As the days became weeks and the weeks are becoming months, we have continued to learn how to better, and more relevantly, serve in this new climate. No two days are alike, and each day we have the opportunity to talk directly with women and families who are chronically or newly homeless. We hear first-hand what challenges they are facing, and we navigate these unchartered waters with them.
As a result of these conversations and our observations, Rose Haven made the decision to revise its annual budget in April, allocating 54% more funds to direct services. As an emergency triage center in midst of a global pandemic, we are of the mindset, if not now, when?
Rose Haven is proud to be offering more:
•    Hotel Vouchers – providing safety for women and families fleeing domestic violence which is amplified during the “shelter in place” order
•    Rental Assistance – doubling our rental support program to keep people in housing
•    Utilities Support – keeping the lights on and water running for families living in poverty
•    Storage Unit Assistance – helping people who have lost their housing not lose all their belongings as well
•    Education and employment support – providing uniforms, food handlers cards, online education to those able to work or continue their education
•    Medical Emergency Support – helping refill prescriptions to keep people on vital medications and supplying guests with needed first aid supplies
•    Prepaid Phones – providing temporary phones for people in crisis
•    Sustenance  – doubling our investment in nutritious breakfast and lunches
•    Outdoor Supplies – acquiring more tents, tarps, and sleeping bags to make people as comfortable as possible while enduring this time outside
The outpouring of love from you and others in our Rose Haven community have given us the confidence to do this. We know you are with us, and will stay with us as long as it takes to care for our guests. Thank you for your trust in us. With each passing day, we are thankful to serve.

With gratitude,

Katie O’Brien, Executive Director

Rose Haven Community,

Near the end of February, the Rose Haven staff determined that over the next month we were going to prioritize getting organized at the shelter – cleaning out old files, organizing office spaces, majorly revamping our in-kind donations area, etc. We deemed it “March Madness”. Little did we know that “March Madness” would take on an entirely different meaning. In true Rose Haven fashion our staff, volunteers and supporters shifted gears and rose to this new and unforeseen challenge.

During March, Rose Haven provided life-saving support to 503 women and children, who collectively visited 1,478 times. We distributed hundreds of sleeping bags, tarps and tents. We provided comprehensive hygiene kits with hand sanitizer and other essentials. We kept our bathrooms open, cleaned and constantly sanitized. We provided mail services and charged cell phones. We served thousands of hot, nutritious meals that provided nourishment to body and soul. We did this with a handful of volunteers and a tiny, yet determined, staff.

As we enter April, we anticipate continuing to pivot as needed. It is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month. While acknowledgement of this will inevitably be buried amongst all the COVID-19 media, let us recognize “Shelter in Place” can be very dangerous for those living in abusive households. Suicide hotlines are fielding 51% more calls, and compared to the same time period from last year, domestic violence arrests are up 27%.  Violence is escalating, and women and families are more trapped than ever.  Just yesterday I answered the door after hours to someone fleeing abuse. After spending an hour exhausting all the domestic violence resource options available (to no avail), I was able to find one open mat at a co-ed shelter way across town. I felt lucky to find her respite for the night…but that is the extent of how long it would last. The next day she will have no options again. The work continues.

The Rose Haven community is always there for people in their greatest time of need. Now is no exception. It is beyond crushing to have no viable indoor options for people experiencing extreme trauma in this COVID-19 moment. And to provide much needed advocacy and comfort from a distance of 6 feet feels so unnatural, so unlike Rose Haven. But safety is essential, so from 6 feet we remind our guests of their value, at a time when they are greatly questioning this. While we are unable to physically wrap our arms around people, we are embracing them with words of encouragement and hope from the Rose Haven community. We remind them they are loved  by us and all of you. Your compassion for them is confirmed with every box of supplies we receive, every donation we get online, every phone call asking what more you can do. We know you feel at a distance from us, yet we feel your embrace.

Between the devastatingly hard conversations, we are finding moments of laughter, community and gratitude. Thank you for allowing us to continue this work. Rose Haven does not exist without you.

Katie O’Brien, Executive Director

Don’t know what to give this holiday season? Please make a gift at Giveguide.org in honor of a friend or family member.

Message from our Board President

There are many changes on the horizon at Rose Haven. After 7 pivotal years, Rebekah Albert is stepping down from her role as Executive Director. During her tenure, the shelter has grown exponentially. With a strong team and incredible volunteer corps, she has helped expand services and resources to meet the growing demand from women, children and gender diverse individuals in our community who are living without a home and/or in extreme poverty. We are grateful for her years of service, and wish her the best.

Rose Haven’s Deputy Director, Katie O’Brien, who has been with Rose Haven for 10 years, will be stepping in as Interim Executive Director. In addition to supporting shelter operations, she will work closely with the Board of Directors on a search for a new ED over the coming months.

At this time, we also announce the addition of two new Board members, Janet Neron and Joanna Herrmann. Janet is the Director of Risk and Control Operations for Nike Direct.  Also from Nike, Joanna is the Director of Supply Chain Innovation and Sustainability.  They join a talented and devoted group of board members ready to guide Rose Haven into the future.

In addition, our Youth Outreach Board just graduated 6 seniors and has brought 5 new members on for the 2019/20 school year. We are continually energized by the can-do spirit of our 18 young high school students comprising our Youth Outreach Board. They are a constant reminder that our future is in good hands.

As we enter a time of strategic planning and visioning, we are inspired for the what lies ahead. We look forward to your input as we head into this new chapter.

Best Regards,

Kathy Kelly, Rose Haven Board President