Dear Friends,
We’re wrapping up Hunger Action Month at the Haven but hunger and food insecurity are a year-round problem. Just this week, I heard a story on public radio that reported that forty-five percent of children in New Hampshire live in homes that sometimes or often do not have enough to eat, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. And in 2022, a study by the University of Vermont found that 2 in 5 people in Vermont experienced food insecurity in the past year. At the Haven we help families have a supply of nutritious food whenever they need it. About 70 to 100 households arrive every day we’re open. Because of you, our shelves are full and hunger can be a memory. I encourage you to give generously today to our Hunger Action Month campaign or make a donation of food that we can distribute. And if you want to do more, contact us to find out how you can volunteer in our newly remodeled Community Food Market.
In other news, we welcome a new member to the Haven team – Robin Caissie, the Deputy Director of Development. Robin will get to work right away helping us raise the funds we need to start construction of a homeless shelter expansion project in White River Junction. There’s more information about this campaign in the newsletter. We estimate that once completed over 100 people each year will be find a safe space to sleep in the evening and the support of the Haven’s new Resource Center to help find housing, get connected to needed services and pursue a self-directed life. Isn’t that exciting news! I can’t wait to put that first shovel in the ground so we can open our doors to the community in this tremendous addition to the Upper Valley.
And these new shelter beds can’t come soon enough when we understand the challenge that many individuals and households are facing with the new rules in the Vermont Emergency Shelter Program that provided vouchers for motel stays have imposed this month. There are restrictions on eligibility leaving many literally on the outside. Caps on the number of nights someone who is homeless has access to a room and limits on the number of rooms available throughout the state are also having an impact. More about this in the article below.
I don’t want to end on a note of crisis. I was thrilled to be one of the dignitaries cutting the ribbon opening the new apartment building next to the Haven built by Twin Pines Housing, Eighteen people who have been unhoused and working with the Haven will soon have a brand-new furnished home and only have to pay 30% of their income for rent. There will be so much excitement over the next few months as people move in. And the Haven will continue to work with these new tenants providing essential supportive housing services to help their journeys to be successful.
Best wishes,
Michael
