FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2025
White River Junction, VT — June 23, 2025 — The Upper Valley Haven is proud to announce that it has officially broken ground on its new Shelter and Resource Center for people who are unhoused at 608 North Main Street in White River Junction, Vermont. The milestone comes as the organization celebrates surpassing its ambitious $10.2 million campaign goal — thanks to the overwhelming generosity of donors, foundations, and public funding partners. These gifts and pledges will allow the Haven to complete the purchase and development of the property and fund a significant portion of operating expenses over the first five years after opening in 2026.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, May 15, and attended by Haven staff and leadership, members of the Board of Directors, project partners, and community supporters. Executive Director Michael Redmond, Board President and Campaign Chair Kathy Welling, and Vermont Housing & Conservation Board Executive Director Gus Seelig offered remarks at the event, acknowledging the importance of the project and the collective effort that made it possible.
“This is a remarkable achievement only made possible through the unwavering commitment over many years by the Haven team and its Board of Directors,” said Michael Redmond, executive director of the Upper Valley Haven. “I couldn’t be prouder of them or more thankful for the generosity of spirit and compassion for our unhoused neighbors expressed by the hundreds of donors to this project. Lives will be saved. Hope and possibility for different futures will be restored.”
Once completed, the new 9,000-square-foot facility will include a 20-bed, low-barrier emergency shelter offering over 5,000 bed nights annually, as well as a daytime resource center providing individualized support and access to essential services such as housing assistance, healthcare, and employment resources.
A northeast-facing rendering of the Haven’s new Shelter & Resource Center at 608 North Main Street, the former site of 25,000 Gifts & Woolens in White River Junction.
The new shelter will welcome unhoused adults without requirements for identification or sobriety and accepting people with pets—an approach grounded in harm reduction and compassion. The Resource Center will support both shelter guests and other community members in need, offering computer workstations for job search and communication with service providers, private meeting rooms, and on-site services from partners like Good Neighbor Health Clinic and WISE. It will also connect individuals to a broader network of community resources through collaborative partnerships.
“Our vision is to be the agent of lasting change—not just to give people a night or two in a homeless shelter, but to work with them to change the trajectory of their lives. We’re excited about what this building is going to offer,” said Kathy Welling, board president and campaign chair.
The project is made possible through generous grants, private donations, and community support. Over 320 individuals, families, foundations, businesses, groups, and government agencies contributed to the campaign, helping the Haven reach its fundraising target in just under nine months. Construction of the building is set to finish by late spring 2026.
“It does our hearts good to know that all of the donations we received are from people and organizations that believe, as we do, that no one should be hungry, and everyone should have a home,” added Redmond at the groundbreaking event.
As homelessness continues at historic levels across Vermont and New Hampshire, the need for this facility has never been more urgent. The new Shelter and Resource Center will ensure that individuals facing housing instability have a place to turn and a pathway to a better future.
To Learn More
To learn more about the Shelter and Resource Center or to support ongoing Haven initiatives, visit uppervalleyhaven.org or contact Robin Caissie, Deputy Director of Development, at (802) 478-1810 or rcaissie@uppervalleyhaven.org.
About the Upper Valley Haven
For 45 years, the Upper Valley Haven has provided temporary shelter, supportive housing, food, and problem solving to those in need. The Haven addresses immediate needs while empowering people to pursue a self-directed life. Open 365 days a year, the Haven never charges for its services and supports over 10,000 people annually.
