Annual Report
July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013
SAFE Haven of Racine, Inc. exists "to improve the quality of life for youth and families by providing safe living environments, crisis support, and community intervention.
The Year In Review
Pamala Handrow, Executive Director
SAFE Haven of Racine, Inc. remains the only Racine County Agency that provides voluntary, emergency shelter and services to homeless, runaway, abused and neglected youth. SAFE Haven serves all youth and their families who are in need of support, crisis intervention and emergency services. For 43 years SAFE Haven has remained true to its mission to “improve the quality of life for youth and families by providing safe living environments, crisis support and community interventions.” SAFE Haven is also pleased to announce that more than 20 cents of every dollar received during the year was used to directly serve children and youth.
SAFE Haven, Inc. stayed the course during the 2-13-2014 year. After a tough previous year, SAFE Haven, Inc. maintained its core programs and secured adequate funding for them. Due to a generous grant award from the Racine Community Foundation, SAFE Haven was able to include a Master’s level Social Worker to assist with the assessment and services provided to the youth in our care.
SAFE Haven SAFE Haven experienced a great loss in 2013 with the passing of long time board member and supporter David Fox, on February 21, 2013. Dave served on SAFE Haven’s Board of Directors in various leadership roles for 19 years. Dave will be greatly missed but his legacy of caring for children will survive.
The SAFE Haven Youth Shelter remains the foundation for services provided to youth ages 10-17 who have run away from home, have been abused or neglected, are in crisis and temporarily need a safe place to stay. The Youth Shelter staff continued to provide the community with services, telephone access, internet access 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. Youth were admitted to the shelter, were provided with drop-in, services, groups and home visits. Youth and families were provided supportive and strengthening experiences during their involvement with the SAFE Haven Youth Shelter.
SAFE Passage the Transitional Living Program designed to provide 18-21 year old youth who are homeless with opportunities to learn and develop the skills and resources they need to become independent and self-sufficient is one of the programs that was forced to close during the past year when Federal Funding for this program was not renewed. Funding for this program expired at the end of February, 2013. The Federal government did not announce grant recipients until May 3, 2013. In March the Board of Directors decided that it was in SAFE Haven’s best interests to cease operations by April 15, 2013. That date was chosen to ensure that the 5 young adults who were living at SAFE Passage at could find another appropriate place to stay. All five residents did find alternative housing. Staff were laid off as of that day with some being offered work in remaining programs. The Bridge to Independence Program continues to provide stipends for rent or escrow to 18-22 year old youth who work with SAFE Haven staff to complete the program.
The SAFE Streets program also lost funding in 2012. SAFE Haven learned on October 3, 2012 that it was one of 3 Wisconsin programs that lost Federal Funding for Street Outreach. SAFE Streets provided services for only three months during this fiscal year. Street Outreach staff were provided options to continue working with SAFE Haven following the discontinuation of the program. Despite the discontinuation of SAFE Streets, Youth Shelter staff continued to reach out to youth and families who are engaged in street life and who are in unsafe situations. SAFE Streets staff provided food, clothing, referrals to health and mental health services, and other services needed by those they encountered.
The Truancy Abatement Program (TAP) offered in conjunction with the Racine County Human Services Department provided supportive services to youth and their families who are experiencing truancy from school and related difficulties. As a result of ongoing evaluation, conversation and assessment, it was determined near the end of the fiscal year that the program might better serve students and families if it were revised to target Middle School aged students. Through work with the Racine County Human Services Department, the sole funders of the program, TAP was renamed the Middle School Engagement Program. Four youth from each of the five Racine Unified School District Middle School programs and their families will receive intensive, supportive services.
Detailed information on all programs is provided in this report.
As is illustrated later in the financial portion of this report, SAFE Haven of Racine, Inc. was fortunate to be supported in a variety of ways during the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The Board sponsored Golf Classic was once again successful and was again held at the Kenosha Country Club. Tammy Rosenberg and the Board Development Committee worked hard as usual to make this a success. The revenue from the August 2011 Golf Classic was $14,068, increasing in 2012 to $15,569. The net income from the 2012 Golf Classic was $6,739.
Board Vice President Julie Ogren organized and launched SAFE Haven’s first annual GALA in February, 2013. The evening at the Hob Nob restaurant was elegant and all in attendance enjoyed the celebration of SAFE Haven of Racine and the “Rat Pack” era. Revenue generated by the event was $7410 with net income being $2553.
SAFE Haven was awarded a $9,000.00 grant from the Dominican Mission Fund to support the Bridge to Independence Program. Additionally, $15,000.00 was awarded by the Racine Community Foundation to provide Outreach and Group programming that helped to close the gap left by the closing of the SAFE Streets program. SAFE Haven received $10,000.00 from Fisk Johnson to support all aspects of programming. A total of $84,258 in donations, in-kind donations and private foundation funding was received during the 2012-2013 fiscal year.
The United Way of Racine County continued to provide support to the Youth Shelter and Outreach operations and the SAFE Passage program for a total of $87,629.00.
As indicated previously, a highly competitive environment and decreased Federal Funding contributed to the loss of Federal Funding for two SAFE Haven programs. All Racine County agencies addressing the problems faced by families and homelessness are seeing a decrease in government funding. Subsequently, SAFE Haven is working with the Racine County Homeless Assistance Coalition (HAC) to seek and secure funding from other sources, including local and national foundations. Through the Executive Director, SAFE Haven of Racine, Inc. sits on the HAC resource development committee. Much work is being directed at obtaining funding that aligns with the mission, goals and outcomes of SAFE Haven, without the expectation of onerous reporting and accounting requirements. Along with decreasing federal funds come an increase in reporting requirements, and obligations. As HAC members we hope to become part of the larger collaborative effort to bring private funding into the community, by demonstrating community need for programs and services. HAC would distribute funds to agencies as needed and available to meet client and community needs. HAC already is conscientious about not duplicating services and using resources in a way that has the greatest impact.
Other government funds come from the State of Wisconsin Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds (another shrinking pot of money), the City Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds, and some money from County Emergency Food funding. The Racine County Human Services Department is the sole funder of the Truancy Abatement Program.
The Board of Directors remained active and involved in the business of governing SAFE Haven of Racine, Inc. Board officers for the year included Tammy Rosenberg, President, Julie Ogren Vice President, Sarah Holmquist and Greg Schutz served as Treasurer and Debra Veenstra was reelected Secretary. During 2012-2013, the following individuals served on the Board of Directors: Nicala Aiello, Thomas Christensen, Donte Cosey, Michael F. Cuccia, Janet Exner, David Fox, Sarah Holmquist, Julie Ogren, Henry Reichenbach, Tammy Rosenberg, Greg Schutz, Amber Soos, Jamie Vanderleest and Debra Veenstra. The Board worked diligently to stabilize and rectify agencies financial situation subsequent to the loss of Federal Funding. A decision was made to bring accounting back in house and Sabrina Gonzales was hired in June to help us prepare for the audit and to take over the day-to-day accounting and financial duties.
The board diligently addressed the financial and programmatic concerns facing SAFE Haven and made several timely and important decisions. The SAFE Haven Board of Directors revisited its mission when determining that the SAFE Streets and SAFE Passage program would be discontinued when Federal funding ended. SAFE Streets operations were brought in under the Youth Shelter. Staff continued to take emergency calls and find solutions to aid street youth formerly served by SAFE Streets. Although funding ceased by February 29, 2013, the Board gave complete consideration to the outcomes for the individuals we serve. First consideration was given to a smooth transition for residents, making sure all had safe and appropriate living arrangements. Providing staff with sufficient notice of program elimination allowed some staff to be integrated into other existing SAFE Haven programs and others to obtain other employment. Programming for and offering services to the 18-21 year old population remains an area of interest and concern for the SAFE Haven Board.
SAFE Haven looks to the future by engaging in ongoing planning and strategizing to ensure that we provide the best quality services to the children and families in Racine County. We will continue to target youth ages 10-17 to ensure that they have all the support and resources they’ll require to be safe, strong, secure and confident in their own futures. SAFE Haven will not forget the 18 – 21 year old youth who are in need of services. SAFE Haven continues to work with all youth ages 10-21 to assist them in accessing information, resources and referrals for the services they need. SAFE Haven remains a vital part of the Racine social service delivery community and collaborates on a regular basis with other community agencies to make sure that all Racine youth and families are served and that precious resources are used to maximize the impact they can have.
SAFE Haven, Inc. thanks the Racine Community for the ongoing support given to us and trust that is placed in us. We will continue to serve to the best of our ability.
Program Information
Youth Shelter
2012/2013 Shelter Programs Director: Yolanda Windham
2012/2013 Case Manager/Supervisor: Angie Flores
The Youth Shelter provides emergency shelter, food, clothing, case management and referral services to youth, ages 10-17, who have runaway, are homeless, abused or otherwise in crisis. The Youth Shelter is an 8 bed, State licensed, group foster home. Youth may reside at the shelter for up to two weeks while they work with their families and staff to resolve the issues that brought them into shelter. Parental consent is required for youth who stay at the shelter. Resident youth attend school when possible, abide by rules and assist with household chores. Youth establish individual action plans, work in groups and learn ways to develop their strengths. Upon leaving the shelter, youth are welcome to return alone or with their families for additional services and groups. Families are also referred to other community services and programs. All services are confidential and offered at no cost.
Staff continue to provide youth with an environment that is safe, secure, friendly, and inviting. The SAFE Haven Youth Shelter continues to develop program components that are designed to have a positive, lasting impact on youth. Staff encourage youth to visit the shelter and spend time even if they do not stay at the shelter. There has been a substantial increase in the number of youth served at the shelter during the last year, a trend that continues. More and more youth return to the shelter to visit staff, to attend groups, or to volunteer. During the year, four former residents became active in the Youth Advisory Board. Members of the Youth Advisory Board who are interested will become trained Peer Advocates giving their work as YAB members greater meaning.
This year, Outreach services were folded into the Youth Shelter programs with the closing of the SAFE Streets Program. Youth Specialists conducted Outreach in area schools, Community Centers, and other venues where youth congregate. Although it is often hard to determine exactly how many youth are reached in group outreach efforts, it is estimated that 438 youth were seen in these settings. Topics for group discussions always include information about the Youth Shelter, ways to reduce risky behaviors, and ways to reduce exposure to harm for themselves and peers. In addition to reaching out to youth, staff made greater attempts to engage parents/caregivers in the program and process as early as possible so that problems and concerns are addressed long before the youth leaves the shelter and returns home. Parents are offered additional support and are encouraged to return to the shelter for supportive aftercare services.
As indicated in the data section below, numbers of residents increased during the past year. In reviewing the data the number of residents is based on unduplicated residents. There were 114 separate stays by residents in the Youth Shelter. We will continue to increase outreach efforts as there remain periods of time when we could be seeing more youth.
A total of 73 youth participated in the Sisterhood and Brotherhood Groups. These sessions are available to any community youth who wish to participate. All Youth Shelter residents participate in groups.
During the past year, all SAFE Haven staff were trained in Trauma Informed Care. Not surprisingly, most of the Youth that seek our services have experienced numerous and frequent traumas beginning at an early age. The key to helping traumatized youth is asking them what happened to them and developing individualized plans that will help youth cope and help them heal. A Trauma Informed Care Approach requires a peaceful and supportive environment. Staff have learned a variety of techniques and strategies to best help traumatized youth and families.