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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 Announces Trauma-Informed Care Certification

Haven for Hope Earns Trauma-Informed Care Designation

Haven for Hope is proud to announce that it has officially earned its designation as a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) agency. This distinction underscores Haven for Hope’s unwavering commitment to providing holistic, compassionate, and effective services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Becoming TIC certified is a rigorous, lengthy process involving internal assessments and evaluations, client and staff surveys, and training provided by the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care at University Health. The journey culminates with a desk review conducted by The Ecumenical Center. Certification requires a thorough review of an organization’s practices, procedures, facilities, and staff support across five key areas: safety (physical and interpersonal), transparency and trustworthiness, respect and empowerment, collaboration and policy, and skill-building and emotional intelligence.
“Achieving Trauma-Informed Care certification is a transformative milestone for Haven for Hope, our staff, and our clients,” said Kim Jefferies, President and CEO of Haven for Hope. “Trauma impacts everyone, whether directly or indirectly. This designation ensures that our team is equipped to recognize and respond to trauma in ways that foster trust, resilience, and healing. It’s about creating an environment where we avoid retraumatizing individuals and actively empower them to rebuild and thrive.”
Trauma-Informed Care builds a foundation of understanding that everyone carries experiences of trauma, which can manifest in unexpected ways. By applying TIC principles, Haven for Hope strengthens its ability to foster a culture of safety, transparency, and empowerment—ultimately improving outcomes for the thousands of people it serves annually.

 

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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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KSAT Story about Haven Partner – Family Violence Prevention Services

Courtney Friedman, reporter and anchor with KSAT 12 in San Antonio has been reporting on domestic violence for the past eight years. She recently came to Haven to Hope to feature one of Haven’s valuable partners, Family Violence Prevention Services (FVPS).

FVPS has been a Haven campus partner since we opened in 2010. They provide Community Based Counseling (CBC) at Haven’s campus. This program provides access to comprehensive mental health counseling and therapeutic services for adult and child clients of Haven. CBC offers individual and group counseling and supportive client engagement to clients residing on Haven’s low-barrier South Campus and clients participating in the recovery and sober living programs at Haven.

Click here to see the KSAT story.

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Request for Proposal – Temporary Staffing Services

Haven for Hope is seeking requests for proposals (RFPs) from qualified staffing agencies to provide temporary staffing services to supplement our workforce of 300+ employees. (Link to full RFP is below).

The chosen temporary staffing service agency will fill approximately 40-45 Contractor Positions subject to the terms outlined herein and otherwise agreed to by the parties.

Proposal Submission Guidelines: Interested parties should submit their proposals by 5:00 pm on July 12, 2024, via email to Justin Barbour, Vice President of Human Resources & General Counsel (justin.barbour@havenforhope.org). 

Proposals should include:

  • Detailed project plan and timeline
  • Cost breakdown including labor costs and any other anticipated expenses
  • Detail of associated costs and timelines
  • Description of relevant experience, and
  • Certificate of Insurance (COI)

A site visit will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2024, at 1 Haven for Hope Way, San Antonio, TX 78207. The visit is highly recommended to answer all questions and provide clarification. Any other inquiries and/or requests for clarification should be directed to Justin Barbour at the contact information listed in this RFP.

  1. Contact Information:

Justin Barbour

Vice President of Human Resources & General Counsel

Email – justin.barbour@havenforhope.org

Phone – 210-220-2165

Full Request for Proposal Click Here

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Haven’s Outreach Efforts Expand

Recently, Bexar County approved funding for a pilot program in Leon Valley and Balcones Heights to expand Haven’s outreach efforts targeting unsheltered individuals in these unincorporated sections of Bexar Couty.

If successful, outreach efforts could expand into other areas of the County. Haven’s Outreach Specialists will engage with unsheltered individuals and tell them about our community’s many resources and shelter options.

Here is recent media coverage of the efforts:

San Antonio Report

Kens 5 Story

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Haven’s Young Adult Program Featured on Kens 5

Haven for Hope began a program for Young Adults (18-24) in August 2023.

The program was created because Haven had seen a 31% increase in young adults experiencing homelessness and seeking services at Haven. The program offers separate shared living spaces for the age group, a common area with a TV, computers, books, and dedicated case management.

“Young adults have different needs than a family or older individual experiencing homelessness,” said Jessica Burdon, Senior Director of Case Management.  “Our case managers can help our clients decide what’s next for them. Is it obtaining a GED? Going to college? Workforce training? And, of course, help them determine the best housing option for when they leave Haven.” Since starting the program, 19 clients have moved into housing and five are pending housing arrangements.

Kens 5 reporter Meredith Haas visited Haven and spoke to Jessica and one of Haven’s young adult clients.

Click the link below to watch the story.

https://www.kens5.com/article/news/community/more-homeless-young-adults-at-haven-for-hope-organization-creates-program-to-bring-change-kens5/273-07e0fb15-1d42-4781-85ee-fea122502db7