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Single Mom of Four Never Gives Up

Nadia was living with her four children in her Mom’s one-bedroom house. She had lost her job during the pandemic. She was a caregiver and her client died from Covid. Things went downhill from there and soon Nadia lost her car.

After living with her Mom for a while, she knew she had to do something for her family. “My Mom wasn’t used to having kids in the house again. It was very crowded. I didn’t want to burden her.”

Nadia and her children stayed at Haven for a year. They were in line to rent a home and her kids were very excited. They even went to the house to rake leaves before moving in. Nadia said they bagged 9 bags of leaves. “The kids loved that house.” Unfortunately, the landlord received an offer to sell the home. “It was an offer he couldn’t refuse. We were very disappointed, but we didn’t give up hope.”

Nadia had always worked hard to provide for her children as a single mom. “This has been a learning experience for my children, homelessness can happen to anyone.”

As Nadia reflects on her time at Haven, she’s grateful. Grateful for the staff, the programs, and the classes. She attended Income and Skills Development classes and worked on her resume so she can find another more financially stable job. Her kids participated in some of the teen nights and movie nights at Haven. Nadia was grateful her children had the opportunity to continue attending their charter school. As for her dream job, Nadia says she wants to give back. “I want to help people; this can happen to anyone. It’s been a humbling experience.”

To watch Nadia’s interview with Haven staff, click here.

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Former Haven Client Receives Refurbished Car

NABC Recycled Rides® Program Joins USAA, Caliber Collision and the Women’s Industry Network To Donate Two Refurbished Vehicles to Two Deserving San Antonio Female Veterans in Need of Reliable Transportation

SAN ANTONIO – On Monday, May 1, two deserving San Antonio veterans experienced a life-changing event – a very special presentation in conjunction with the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) of two vehicles to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families – thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donor USAA and repair partner Caliber Collision.

  • Sequoyia Hurt, who served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 2009 to 2017, is a mother of four and cares for her disabled husband. They are working to launch a home-based business. They lost their car to an accident a year ago, and have been challenged to find safe, affordable transportation since then. The gift of reliable transportation will allow Sequoyia to care for her family, manage medical appointments and get her children to school activities. Sequoyia and her family stayed at Haven for Hope to get back on their feet. They accessed many resources including programs with Haven’s Veteran’s Program.
  • Vanessa Hernandez, a single mother of three, served in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2018. She has overcome homelessness but still faces challenges with transportation. She currently takes the bus with her three children to shop, go to medical appointments and take her older children to school. She would like to get a full-time job, and the gift of transportation will allow her to return to work, take her baby to daycare and care for her older children.

NABC Recycled Rides® is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides® program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council® have donated more than 3,000 vehicles valued at some $42 million.

Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation include 1-800 Charity Cars, Enterprise, Caliber Auto Care, Protec, IPAC Mazda, Dents and Dings and Axalta.

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Air Force Vet Credits Haven for Giving Him Purpose

DevLynn is an only child. When his parents needed help and care as they aged, he knew he needed to be there. “I signed that paperwork the day I was born. They raised me, took care of me, I needed to be there for them.”

DevLynn cared for his parents and after his grandmother and parents passed away, he lived off his inheritance. Until the lease was more than he could afford. “I couldn’t sign the lease. I couldn’t stay there anymore.” DevLynn took his belongings and lived in his car. His car was paid for and if it was running, he had a place to stay. Then his car broke down. He couldn’t afford to retrieve it after it was towed. He didn’t have a valid ID. “All I had was my D214 military ID, it doesn’t have a photo,” he explained.

DevLynn relied on his support system to help him for a few months. But without a job or the money to keep paying for his stuff in storage, he knew he needed more help. His friend helped him get his valuables out of storage, including his father’s ashes. “That was very important to me.” As an Air Force vet, he didn’t fully understand the benefits he had earned. His friend dropped him off at Haven for Hope and he began working with the Veteran’s team. “I’m working on getting my identity back, I’m enrolled in VA health benefits, I have my VA ID card, I’m working on my income and housing plans.”

He thanks the team at Haven for giving him direction. “I didn’t know what to do, where to go to get help. The team worked with me. If I have a bad day, they pick up me up and tell me to stick it out.” It’s important for DevLynn to transform his life. “I don’t want to fail. Even though my parents aren’t here to see this, I don’t want to disappoint them.” He believes it’s a privilege to live in the United States and he is glad he served four years in the Air Force. “Serving in the military helped me understand the freedoms we have.”

He is willing to take any job that will provide a steady income. He owes his progress to his support system, especially his case manager, Jose. He said Haven for Hope staff will point you in the right direction, but he must do the work. “Thank you, Haven for giving me direction. Thank you for giving me purpose.”

To hear from DevLynn, click here!

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Tanavita – Overcoming substance use and mental health barriers

Tanavita came to Haven for Hope for one purpose – to get help with her mental health. Tanavita grew up in a loving family. She was raised in California and “never wanted for anything.” She recalls family trips to Disneyland and the beach.

Tanavita is like many of Haven’s clients. She suffers from depression and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. When possible, she took the proper medications, but when things would get rough, she self-medicated with drugs and alcohol. She moved around a lot and eventually moved to East Texas when her sister asked her to come and live with her. While at her sister’s, Tanavita got a job but was very lonely. Her depression worsened.

Her Mom and daughter had moved to San Antonio. Tanavita knew she wanted to help care for her Mom, but she needed to get her life back on track. Tanavita turned to Google and found Haven for Hope. Haven is the second shelter she has been to. She came with the goal to get the proper medication for her mental health conditions and learn to become a part of society again.

“I am a willing participant. I follow all the guidelines,” she said. “I have utilized the Clinical Services, Income and Skills Development resources and landed a job within 22 days.” Staff at Haven have suggested that Tanavita become a peer support counselor.

Click here to hear from Tanavita and her experiences at Haven for Hope.

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Helping Students Address Their Hidden Bias

Haven for Hope collaborates with more than 70 community partners and organizations to bring our clients the most comprehensive services to help them transform their lives.  One of our partners is UT Health San Antonio.

 

UT Health San Antonio has remained committed to combating health care disparities in San Antonio and South Texas by expanding access to health care services for all vulnerable patient populations.

However, even with equality as a top priority for many health care professionals, addressing one’s personal bias remains a crucial part of preventing unnecessary barriers to patient care, said Vidal Balderas, DDS, MPH, an associate professor of comprehensive dentistry in the School of Dentistry.

Click here to read the story from UT Health San Antonio.

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Haven for Hope Prepares for Cold Weather Event

Haven for Hope operates year-round, 24/7. In extreme weather events, we make sure we have what we need to serve those experiencing homelessness, especially the unsheltered in San Antonio.

From distributing blankets, jackets, gloves, and hats to adding additional indoor sleeping capacity, we are prepared to serve those who need it. News4 San Antonio/Fox 29 stopped by Haven to see how we prepare for these weather events.

News4 Story – Click Here

Fox 29 Story – Click Here

 

 

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Haven for Hope Staff Participate in Annual Point in Time Count

The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that Continuums of Care conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night.  Each count is planned, coordinated, and carried out locally.

Haven for Hope participates in this event and staff volunteers to survey unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness. Care packages were prepared and given to survey participants.

Click here for local media coverage about the PIT Count.

 

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Safe and Stable Home – Jenifer’s Story

Jenifer was only at Haven for Hope for a couple of weeks, but she participated in several classes and accessed numerous resources for herself and her twin 6-year-old grandsons.

“I didn’t want to be here, but we didn’t have a choice,” Jenifer says of her brief experience at Haven. She and her grandsons were staying with family friends and moved around a lot. “It wasn’t ideal for my grandsons. I wanted better for them.”

She had filled out an application at the rental complex where she wanted to live. “They told me it was going to be 6 to 12 months. I had to do something.”

To hear Jenifer’s testimonial: Click Here

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Armando is Grateful for Haven for Hope

Meet Armando. He is a US Army Vietnam Veteran who never asked for help in his 72 years.

Armando’s livelihood was stopped short when the pandemic hit the United States. He and his business partner would travel the state of Texas selling antique car parts and other rare finds. Shows were postponed and canceled. Armando was forced to live on his savings for two years.

The savings ran out…Armando needed help. He found Haven for Hope.

Click here to hear his testimony.