Two longtime New Haven homelessness service agencies are combining together. Kellyann Day of New Haven Home Recovery sent in the following release about her organization taking on Life Haven:
New Haven Home Recovery, Inc. (NHHR) and Life Haven, Inc. are pleased to announce that Life Haven, Inc. has become an affiliate of NHHR.
As homelessness continues to rise, and increasing numbers of families are facing the threat of losing their homes, the affiliation of Life Haven with NHHR creates a cohesive mix of resources for homeless women and children in the community. NHHR will operate and manage Life Haven and oversee the shelter and child care programs. Life Haven will maintain its own 501(c)3 status.
“The two agencies coming together is a great opportunity for efficiencies in the shelter system,” Kellyann Day, Executive Director of NHHR explained, “Through this integration we have streamlined the process for families to call one number if they are in need of shelter through a central intake line.”
The community has been an avid supporter of the integration. The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven awarded Life Haven a grant for $75,000 for integration costs and United Way of Greater New Haven granted the organizations $25,000.
“The Community Foundation favors such collaborations when they make strategic sense and create a positive impact in our local community,” says William W. Ginsberg, President & CEO of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. “As sister organizations, each providing services to homeless persons, New Haven Home Recovery and Life Haven share a common purpose of helping one of the most vulnerable populations in our community. It is logical that they would collaborate in this way. Life Haven provides critical shelter services for women and children and record in helping its families to move into independent living arrangements. Transitioning management of the organization to New Haven Home Recovery will allow Life Haven’s services to continue.”
The Community Foundation has supported mergers and collaborations between local nonprofits in the past, including the consolidation of two domestic violence service providers in 2009.
“The United Way of Greater New Haven totally supports the consolidation of these two important organizations,” said Jack Healy, President & CEO of United Way of Greater New Haven, “They have focused on the people who need the services as they designed the integration. This consolidation will mean a much more effective and efficient community support system and help some very vulnerable people.”