http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, November 14, 2024 3
See HAVEN on 4SUPPORT
Continued from Page 2HELP
Continued from Page 2
The Veterans Shelter can provide a bed for about three dozen veterans. Photo
by John Hendler.“Demand for
our services is
very strong and
continuing to
grow. We try and
serve everybody
we can. I tell my
staff that the
answer at the
door if somebody
is looking for help
is yes. It’s always
yes. We don’t like
to turn anybody
away, and so, we
will make room.”- Daniel Jones, CEO, The
Haven of Rest Ministries
substantially, leading to
shortfalls in our budget.
*Every aspect of shelter and
support—from meals to beds to
heating—is costing more than
ever before.
Revenue Challenges
and Funding Needs
*Our revenue streams have
been impacted, particularly
with fewer donations and
limited contract and grant
funding. We are actively
seeking community support to
keep our programs running.
*We rely heavily on theing in the budget shortfall. Another
seasonal aspect of our ministry is
that late summer and early fall are
the months with our lowest levels of
giving revenue. This year, while we
expected to be in this seasonal short-
fall period, the change in the revenue
from our contracts has impacted us
generosity of donors and grants
to operate, but with the increased
demand and higher costs, our
financial situation is especially
tight this year.
Call for Community Support
*The community’s support has
always been vital, and right
now, we need it more than ever.
Any assistance—financial or
otherwise—helps us serve those
in need during this critical time.
*For anyone wanting to make a
difference, supporting Haven of
Rest helps provide direct aid to
individuals and families facing
homelessness and hardshipdramatically.”
The Haven has an annual budget of
approximately $2.8 million.
“This is always the time of year
when we kind of wander in the des-
ert right before our Christmas mar-
keting kicks in,” said Jones, who has
been with The Haven for 14 years,
serving as executive director the past
seven.
The Haven serves about 42,
“bed nights” a year (averaging 115
people per night), and Jones said
unlike a generation ago where the
overwhelming majority of homelesswere men, the average homeless per-
son today is a women with children.
“It’s the fastest-growing segment
of that population,” said Jones. “We
have evolved to have services like
family and children’s shelters and
our veterans program as well as twosubstance abuse treatment programs.
We operate 24/7, 365 days a year.
serving three meals a day, every
day.”
The Haven’s programs include
the Men’s Shelter, Women’s Life
Recovery, Men’s Life Recovery,
Adult Foster Care, The Inasmuch
Ministry, Jail Ministry, Veterans
in Progress (VIP) and Gain Access
Program.
“We have a lot going on,” said
Jones. “Demand for our services is
very strong and continuing to grow.
(A shelter nearby recently closed.)
We try and serve everybody we can.
I tell my staff that the answer at the
door if somebody is looking for help
is yes. It’s always yes. We don’t like
to turn anybody away, and so, we
will make room.”
Jones said that any donation
amount can make a difference and
is hoping people will link to The
Haven’s donation website to set up
recurring donations.
“Recurring donations are every-
thing to a non-profit,” said Jones,
who noted that about 1.5% of
Calhoun County’s population comesNEW STAINLESS STEEL REFRIGERATORS
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