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Share the Warmth Donation Drive – January 11

Haven for Hope and Smiles Behind Goods to Host 2nd Annual “Share the Warmth” Donation Drive
WHO: To amplify our efforts and engage the community, Haven for Hope is partnering with several local influencers who will promote the event and encourage community involvement. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet and interact with these influencers, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose in supporting those in need.
 
WHAT: Haven for Hope, in collaboration with Smiles Behind Goods, is excited to announce the 2nd annual “Share the Warmth” drive-through donation drive on Saturday, January 11.
“Share the Warmth” is a vital initiative to collect much-needed winter gear for individuals experiencing homelessness. All items collected will be distributed directly to Haven for Hope clients and support our expanding Outreach Program.  Program. With colder temperatures in the forecast, this event is crucial in ensuring our clients are prepared and protected against the harsh winter conditions.
Haven for Hope has set an ambitious goal to collect 3,000 pieces of winter gear, including coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and beanies. The donation drive will be a drive-up and drop-off event. Haven also has a special Amazon Wishlist of winter clothing. The items ship directly to Haven’s Donation Center. Here is a link to the list.
WHEN: Saturday, January 11, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
WHERE:
Haven for Hope
1 Haven for Hope Way
San Antonio, 78207
Donation Center
About Smiles Behind Goods:
Smiles Behind Goods is a charitable organization committed to supporting underprivileged communities by providing essential goods and services. Their mission is to bring hope and happiness to those in need through community-driven initiatives and partnerships.
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JCB Donates Scissor Lift to Haven

JCB, a global manufacturing company, is expanding into San Antonio. Its 720,000-square-foot factory open in 2026. JCB’s leadership and staff are making an impact in our community.

Their team members volunteered at Haven and installed netting to help reduce the number of pigeons on our campus. During that project, they noticed that Haven was missing a key piece of machinery.

Over the years, when a project required a scissor lift, we set it aside until we had enough projects to warrant renting the lift for a few days.

JCB decided to help out by donating a new lift. “This generous gift from JCB will significantly enhance our Facilities team’s efficiency, as we have numerous projects that require a lift,” said Kim Jefferies, President and CEO of Haven. “Previously, we had to rent the equipment, which added time and cost to our efforts.” From installing signage to changing light bulbs and painting projects, the lift will be beneficial.

“JCB’s collaboration with Haven reflects our longstanding commitment to giving back to communities. This value is ingrained in our family-owned legacy,” says David Carver, operations director for JCB San Antonio. “Our involvement in local outreach programs aligns with our core values, ensuring that those who are most vulnerable receive the support and resources they need.”

JCB is a family company founded on October 23, 1945, and is now one of the world’s largest privately owned manufacturers of construction, agricultural, and defense equipment, with 22 factories worldwide. JCB recently began work on a new $500 million factory in San Antonio, Texas, the biggest investment in its history.

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Valero Alamo Bowl – More than Just a Football Game

 

On Saturday, December 28, the #17 BYU Cougars will face off against the #20 Colorado Buffalos in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Both teams are in town this week and enjoying fun activities around the city.

Both teams are also making an impact! Earlier this week, players from Colorado packed hygiene kits for Haven and gave away 100 bikes for disadvantaged youth in San Antonio. On Saturday, the BYU Alumni will host CougCares, a tailgate where attendees are asked to bring donations for Haven.

It will be a good football game; tune in at 6:30 PM on ABC.

The picture above is of Colorado Buffalo players preparing the hygiene kits. Below is a story about the tailgate event that aired on KSAT.

KSAT Story

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Haven for Hope Staff Member Running 1,800 Miles for Families in Recovery

Kenneth Anderlitch is running from Washington, D.C., to San Antonio, Texas, to raise awareness for a new program called Families in Recovery.

The Families in Recovery Program is a collaboration between Haven, Pay it Forward SA, and Lifetime Recovery. Families will have the ability to remain together while parents seek treatment for substance or alcohol use disorders.

He is more than 1,130 miles into his journey, and KSAT 12 recently caught up with him while running in Kentucky.

Check out the story here!

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Haven’s Impact Report for FY 2023

Haven for Hope Releases its FY 2023 Impact Report

In FY 2023, Haven for Hope served 9,457 clients, the highest number since Haven opened in 2010. Of the 9,457 clients, 1,085 were children, and 722 were families.

“At Haven, we’ve seen an increase in families experiencing homelessness,” said Kim Jefferies, president and CEO of Haven for Hope. “Our Family Emergency Services numbers doubled from the previous year.”

Haven’s Family Emergency Services (FES) is designed for overflow families. Haven operates a Family Residental Center (FRC) with 102 rooms. Clients must be residents of Bexar County, with proof of residency of at least nine months during their lifetime. They also need a US government or state-issued ID.

FES provides access to shelter and resources for families in need. If a family is not from Bexar County, they are provided with a 15-day compassion placement, and Haven’s team will work with the clients on other options, including family reunification, financial assistance to return to their hometown, or connecting them with other shelter options.

Young adults, 18-24 years of age, is another segment of the populations with an increase in individuals experiencing homelessness. Many of these clients have aged out of the foster care system and have nowhere to go. Haven designed a Young Adult Program in FY 2023, which provides designated sleeping areas and specialized case management.

For more statistics from FY 2023, click here.

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Share the Warmth Donation Drive January 13

Haven for Hope is partnering with Smiles Behind Goods for a Share the Warmth event on Saturday, January 13, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The weather is predicted to get cold in San Antonio, and for those experiencing homelessness, a coat, hat, scarf, gloves, or long-sleeved shirt can go a long way.

If you live in San Antonio and can drop off some winter gear items to Haven this weekend, you won’t have to leave your car! Drive to our Donation Center, 1 Haven for Hope Way; volunteers will collect your donation. We’ll have some local social media influencers at Haven helping us collect the donations.

Can’t make it? Visit our Amazon Wishlist, choose an item, and it will ship directly to Haven!

If you would like to support Haven with a cash donation, your support will go a long way to keep our clients warm this winter. Click here to donate.

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Servant Leadership at a Young Age

Giving Back 

Gianna Adams and her grandmother, Carmi “Mia” Adkins

 

Gianna Adams may only be 10 years old, but she already exhibits Servant Leadership! She has been helping her grandmother, Carmi “Mia” Adkins in Haven for Hope’s Kennel for three years. She loves helping take care of the cats and dogs who stay at Haven for Hope while their owners work on their housing plans.

Haven’s kennel has room for 20 dogs and 10 cats. Pets are important and we recognize how therapeutic it is for clients to be able to keep their pets safe while staying at Haven. Clients are responsible for feeding their pets and visiting them twice a day. Haven provides food, supplies, and basic vet care including core vaccines and flea treatments. Mia and her volunteers, including Gianna, help keep the kennel areas clean, restock supplies and make sure the pets are well cared for.

Gianna loves dogs but doesn’t mind changing the kitty liter and giving the cats fresh water and treats. “She used to be scared of the cats, but now she loves to play with them,” Mia said.

“Animals respond to love and that’s what we provide here,” Mia continued. When asked if she wants to care for pets as an adult? Gianna shakes her head. Her dream job? Illustrating children’s books.

We have no doubt, that Gianna will do great things in the future!

 

 

 

 

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Haven for Hope and Bank of America Partnership Featured in San Antonio Business Journal

Haven for Hope and Bank of America Partnership Featured in San Antonio Business Journal

Bank of America benefits SA charity through leadership program

By Sergio Padilla

Jul 21, 2022

Bank of America Corp. established a “leader on loan” program as part of its philanthropic initiatives, which sends an executive to a local charitable organization within its respective market for a year.

Stefanie Adame, senior vice president of regional business management and operations executive at Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), was selected to spend a year as interim director of leadership and organizational development at San Antonio’s Haven for Hope.

“When I said yes to this assignment, I thought it was a perfect fit given my skill set,” said Adame. “I can come in, I can give recommendations, I can help in terms of leadership development and organizational development.”

Adame says her day-to-day duties include planning events, dealing with community partners and locating resources for the organization.

The program, which started in 2017, began as a partnership with four organizations. Today, it sends 27 executives to help with economic and philanthropic initiatives for respective organizations, according to Adame.

BofA works with area nonprofits to match leaders with the organization. She says in other markets, applications are posted for employees to sign up for leader on loan positions.

Adame said she retained her full salary, benefits and vacation time while serving as an employee with Haven for Hope. She is in the final few months of her tenure with the organization and says that once finished she will transition back to her duties with BofA.

“This is a very unique opportunity that we’ve had, the opportunity to benefit from it,” said Justin Barbour, general counsel and director of human resources at Haven for Hope. “We would welcome those kinds of opportunities in the future.”

Haven for Hope, founded in 2010 by founding CEO of Valero Energy Bill Greehey, helps provide food, shelter and clothing for San Antonio’s homeless. It has reached over 15,000 clients since its founding. The two organizations have had partnerships in the past, with Haven for Hope being named a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder in 2019.