Statements
Mission
To provide proactive, curative, and preventive measures against domestic and sexual violence; and to provide resources to strengthen and empower victims to resolve their own issues and problems. We provide emergency and community-based support to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Background
The Haven of Hope, Inc., a 501?3 non-profit governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, was established in 1985 to carry out the mission of providing emergency shelter to victims of domestic violence in Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, and Moore counties. As was/is with most grass roots efforts, the program struggled financially, but slowly gained community support during the first several years. Fall of 1996 was bleak: all grant contracts were terminated for non-compliance; community support was waning. January of 1997, Mona Mason was hired as Executive Director in hopes of salvaging a program on the path to destruction. In April, Barbara Simmons was hired as Shelter Coordinator. That same month, on a wing and a prayer, the shelter program was relocated to a clean beautiful new purchased facility. In June of 1997, grants were renewed for $69,266 and things were looking up! Along with the successes of fiscal renewal, a fresh proactive, progressive philosophy and vision for programming was developed and laid out. In June 1998, the first Outreach office was established in Coffee County, one way of implementing the new vision, and was supported with $126,599 in grants. Demonstrated accountability both programmatically and fiscally was rewarded with additional increases in contracts over the next several years. Two additional satellite offices were established in Bedford and Franklin Counties and staffed with degreed professional Outreach Coordinators. Steady growth continued during the next few years; client numbers increased in the outreach offices, while request for shelter services decreased. Staff and Board alike were very excited! The vision was coming to fruition! We were assessing violence, implementing safety plans, educating, referring and supporting more clients than ever without them having to leave home and potentially placing themselves in even greater danger! In March 2002, fiscal accountability paid off in a big way. A successful completion of the Capital Campaign ended with the shelter mortgage paid in full. Being forward focused, the Board of Directors voted to immediately transition into an Endowment Campaign. The goals were to maintain our current assets, while also providing security for future programming needs! Growth continued, April 1, 2004, with additional financial support, the Haven accepted responsibility of service for Lincoln & Marshall Counties, which was left unserved by a failed non-profit. Haven of Hope participated in several col
Impact
Our program centers on a trauma-informed approach based on the proposed needs of the victim inclusive of the need to learn how to access available resources; the need to feel their physical safety has improved; the need to understand violence and its effects on their lives; the need to have more knowledge of the options available to them; the need to increase their ability to make choices; The need to develop healthy coping skills, and the need to be satisfied with provision of services received. To provide educational presentations/media information to the general public, with hopes that victims may be more easily identifiable by themselves and others and thus will seek help accordingly. Success in reaching potential victims through community presentations is dependent on change in the general public's understanding of violence issues measured by their responses to survey questions:* An increase in understanding of available resources, * An increase in feelings of safety, * An increase in understanding the effects of their victimization, * Satisfaction with the services received, and * And improved ability to plan for their safety. The success of the program is dependent on the positive impact we make in the lives of those we serve. FY23 annual Client outcome data demonstrated a huge success in meeting these goals: Increase in how to access available resources-98%; Increase in feelings of safety-98%; Increase in understanding effects of their victimization -99%; Improved ability to plan for their safety-99%; Overall satisfaction-99%.Over the last several years the Haven has expanded services to reach our most under-served counties. We were able to open two new outreach offices with community support and expanded grant opportunities. During this expansion of services Marshall and Lincoln county have seen an increase in victims served and community support. Haven of Hope recognizes our financial responsibility to contracting agencies, as well as public and private donors. The Board implements fiscally conservative policies and procedures that help foster present and future successes which meet or exceed financial requirements set by governments and regulatory bodies. It is important to us that we be open and honest about our financial performance. We believe the financial controls established, including an annual external audit, work to ensure we are seen as good stewards of the support afforded us.
Needs
Funding for Housing Assistance to help victims obtain or maintain safe housing. Funding for contract licensed counseling for victims to reduce trauma symptoms.Funding for transitional housing programmingNon perishable food, cleaning products, and paper products
CEO Statement
The Haven of Hope philosophy promotes employee relations and programs where everyone is a valuable member of the 'team'. Everyone is working toward the common goal of producing quality programming implemented with integrity and respect. All staff are encouraged to participate in open communication about personal and programmatic strengths/weaknesses, successes/failures, what's working/what's not, without fear of disrespect or reprisal. Empowered employees, in turn, promote and implement programs where clients can interact positively and productively in an accepting comfortable environment. Each person's unique cultural, religious, and ethnic background is recognized, respected, and valued. Clients are empowered to resolve their own problems and retain full power over their own destiny. In reaching our objectives, we are to conduct business fairly, honestly, profitably, and cheerfully, while avoiding debt and extravagance. We are to maintain an efficient organization based upon teamwork, honest and frequent communication, careful and thoughtful decisions, without bureaucracy. We want to provide employees with meaningful work, fair compensation, and all necessary assistance to develop useful, reliable, and the most excellent victim services. Employees represent our program effectively, professionally, truthfully, and with excitement and learn to be good stewards of the funding opportunities afforded us. The Haven of Hope sets the groundwork necessary to provide appropriate advocacy and system linkages for clients by being active and visible with other resource providers within the service areas. Positive working relationships for coordination of client services is a must so that each client/family may acquire additional resources needed and meet their objectives with minimal frustration. Community education and collaborations strengthen and empower other agencies to work cooperatively to address social concerns within their specialty areas.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Human Services - Victims' Services |
| Secondary Category: | Crime & Legal - Related - Spouse Abuse Prevention |
| Tertiary Category: | Housing, Shelter - Alliances & Advocacy |
Areas Served
Our six county service area is located in very rural southern middle Tennessee.
| TN - Bedford |
| TN - Coffee |
| TN - Franklin |
| TN - Lincoln |
| TN - Marshall |
| TN - Moore |
