HAVEN Opens New Facility for Victims of Violence and Assault

HAVEN Opens New Facility for Victims of Violence and Assault
(HAVEN, Jan. 11, 2016)
PONTIAC, MI – HAVEN, Oakland County’s center for the treatment and prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault, announced today the Grand Opening of its new facility, at 801 Vanguard Drive in Pontiac.
Completed in 18 months, the new 36,000 square foot facility was built on 6 acres of land and houses all of HAVEN programs, bringing together 3 locations under one roof.  With the new facility also comes a new service model — a modified Family Justice Center, the first of its kind in Michigan.
“We made two very important decisions early in our planning, the first was to refine our process so that our work could be as effective as possible and the second was to no longer keep our location a secret,” said Beth Morrison, president and CEO, HAVEN. “Not being secret brings the issues out in the open. It helps survivors feel that they’re not alone and helps the community understand the impact of our efforts.”
Now in its 41^st year of supporting and empowering survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, HAVEN leadership began planning the move eight years ago while working on the organization’s master plan.  A hand-selected team researched and reviewed community needs, future trends and best practices and the determination was made to build a new facility.
“I have spent a lifetime debilitated and crippled by shame, but seeing the new building actually made me feel proud to be a survivor,” said Shawn Dunn, HAVEN client. “Never could I have imagined that in this lifetime I would ever have those sentiments about my childhood sexual abuse and rape.”
The new building includes a secure Residential Program, which has sixteen bedrooms — one more than the former location — and can house up to 60 people at once depending on the makeup of the residents (i.e. single person, family with children).  Each room has own its bathroom except four of them, which have shared Jack and Jill bathrooms.
New additions inside include: space for a staffed client resource room, onsite job training, leadership center, residential storage lockers, and a multipurpose room that can be screened off to create two large meeting rooms. Outside spaces include a meditation garden, an expanded organic produce garden, an extensive playground area and an area that will be the site of a pet shelter beginning construction in the spring.
Total cost for the land and new facility build is $8 million, and to date, HAVEN has secured $3 million through new market tax credits and incentives and $4.9 million via corporate, foundation and individual giving. HAVEN is still accepting donations for the remaining $100,000 and has launched a leaf campaign for recognizing individual contributions from $250 – $9,999.
“Although HAVEN staff has worked relentlessly for 41 years to bring an end to domestic and sexual violence, it remains a reality for many,” said Morrison. “ Our new building makes a statement,” she continued, “We are here. And we are not going anywhere until the crimes of domestic and sexual violence no longer impact our community.”
For more information about the Plant the Seeds of Hope campaign click here.  
ABOUT HAVEN
HAVEN is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader promoting a world of safe, equal and accountable communities where sexual assault and domestic violence do not exist.  As Oakland County’s only comprehensive program for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, HAVEN provides shelter, counseling, advocacy and educational programming to nearly 20,000 people each year. For more information visit www.haven-oakland.org or for help call the HAVEN 24-hour Crisis and Support Line at 877-922-1274.

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