Investing in safe housing changes lives
Sometimes it takes more than one stay at Harbor House for survivors to find safety. For Hailey, it took three.
Her first stay was nearly eight months. During this time, her physical and psychological wounds began to heal. She found employment and housing for her and her young son, while also receiving support through our SAFE Program.
She then left Kansas but her abuser stalked and harassed from afar, so she returned for a second stay. After six weeks, she moved into her own housing again.
Her final stay lasted a weekend. She returned after her abuser choked her son during visitation, landing him in prison and Hailey’s son in foster care. This time, she came to seek the support of a court advocate and create a new safe housing plan.
Hailey has since been reunited with her son, and is using her experiences to help others. She works as an advocate for improving health through primary care and prevention. Hailey and her son are happy and healthy, thanks to donors like you who invest in changing lives.
Your gift can change the trajectory of an entire family
St. Anthony Family Shelter welcomed a couple and their four children. They were living in their car, having been evicted. Unemployed, the parents had no income to pay down significant back rent and utilities. What they lacked in funds, they made up for in positivity and determination. Each week, they accomplished tasks that inched them closer to reaching their goal of obtaining stable, long-term housing.
In just six weeks, both gained employment and moved into a new place. With the help of their case manager, they enrolled in a community partner’s Rapid Re-Housing program, which will provide several months of additional assistance as they get back on their feet.
This family did not take the blessings they received for granted. Upon leaving the shelter, they sent their case worker a beautiful and touching email extolling the staff for their assistance, stating how proud they were of their own efforts and expressing determination to keep moving forward.
Because of support from people like you, this family changed the trajectory of their lives and their children's futures.
Thank you for your support!
Since 2017, the Queen Bee campaign has called attention to the inspiring professional and philanthropic work of women in our community, while also raising funds to support the work of Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and St. Anthony Family Shelter. The initiative honors 10 influential women and provides the community with an opportunity to bring hope, strength, and resiliency to those seeking safe haven in our shelters.
The initiative was named in honor of the triumphant bumblebee, which is symbolic of the many families experiencing the despair of domestic violence, homelessness or both.
You see, the bumblebee's body is quite heavy, and its wings quite small. The weight of its body seems too much for the wings to bear. Despite this, the bumblebee takes flight.
By giving, you will be honoring one of our Queen Bees AND providing safety, dignity and shelter so our residents have the opportunity to grow beyond the stereotypes and assumptions associated with their circumstances, dream and ultimately, take flight.
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