The Haven

 

On any given night in America, it is estimated there are anywhere from 600,000 to 1 million people homeless. Of these, it is estimated that 67.5% are men. (National Coalition for the Homeless)

When you are asked to picture in your mind a homeless man, what do you see? For a few seconds, close your eyes, utilize all your senses and develop a picture in your mind of a homeless man. Does he have tattered clothing, is he dirty, a “drunk” or begging on the street? Does he smell bad? Is he lazy and unwilling to work? Most often times, this is the picture many people have in their mind of homeless men. While this stereotype at one time and maybe for very few men is and was accurate, this is not who our clients are and who York County’s homeless men look like.

Although the recession has been officially over for two years the worst may be to come for many people. We in York County live, work, and raise our families in the communities where people do not have the basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. But the reasons are not because they are lazy, or addicts, or unwilling to have a better life, the reasons are as individual and personal, and social and economic, such as lack of resources, and no hope.

What we do at The Haven, is restore that hope. Our mission is to provide safe shelter while providing the opportunities to become productive members of society. It is our core belief that without a place to rest your mind, body, and soul, this hope of a better life and circumstance can never happen. With the adequate safe shelter we provide, the men in our community can begin the process and individual journey of recovering, restoring and rebuilding their lives.