CONGRATULATIONS ROSE FOR BEING HONORED WITH SUCH AN EXCELLENT AWARD! AND THANK YOU HILLTOP PROGRAM FOR HONORING ROSE.

Article below by Katharhynn Heidelberg

Many of those who find transitional shelter at Haven House in Olathe have more than homelessness with which to contend: They are also fleeing a domestic violence situation. But they have a champion in Executive Director Rose Verheul and Tri County Resources Hilltop Family Services. “I’m past the point of ecstatic. It was really nice to be recognized from the community for some of the work Haven House does,” Verheul said Thursday.

Many factors drive homelessness; Haven House was founded to surround families with services and individually tailored programs to break the cycle. Many times, though, women become homeless by leaving an abusive relationship. Verheul said about 55 percent of families at the transitional living center have fled domestic violence. “Many leave with nothing but the clothes on their backs. We work on helping them start rebuilding their lives again … before doing just the average person’s daily living,” she said.

Haven House co-founder Larry Fredericksen said Hilltop has also referred clients to Haven House once their time at Hilltop safe houses has run out. Few are ready to make their own way when they leave the domestic violence shelter; Haven House then becomes a natural transition point. “Rose has been very effective in developing closer relationships between Haven house and some of our referral sources,” Fredericksen said. “We have taken in a number of families fleeing domestic violence. It’s really a good transition for them. They are limited as to how long the families can stay in one of the shelters. When that time expires, they have to discharge them.  In many cases, they’re not ready to move on emotionally or financially. Haven House is a natural stepping stone back to normal life.”

Haven House helps domestic violence victims staying there apply for resources. It enjoys a close working relationship with Hilltop, which hosts domestic violence recovery classes for adults and children staying at Haven House. “It’s just a wonderful opportunity to help our families heal,” said Verheul. Abusive relationships cause lasting trauma, she said. “Most of all, it’s getting the women to see their own worth, to know they are loved and valued. Most of the women are so beat down. They believe their mission was what they were doing. We’ve really got to help them find a way out,” Verheul said. In one heartbreaking conversation, a resident asked her why she could only seem to attract abusive men. “They have got to break that chain,” said Verheul. “It’s a natural progression, the transition for them to move into Haven House,” Fredericksen said. “Hilltop has also been working with us on some of our enrichment programs. We work really well with Hilltop. It’s a good partnership.”

Other organizations also are partnering with Haven House, including Life Choices, which is set to begin offering relationships classes in January. It’s all outreach that helps make Haven House’s mission easier, Verheul added. Haven House’s ongoing needs include funding and donations of children’s jeans, as well as mentors. More information is available at havenhousehomeless.org; online donations, including recurrent ones, can be made there, as well.

Donations can also be mailed to Haven House, P.O. Box 3122, Montrose, CO 81402. “It’s a wonderful place to be,” said Verheul, who has served Haven House for three years. “There are many, many loving families here.” Through its Latimer House locations in Montrose and elsewhere, Hilltop Family Resource Center serves domestic violence and sexual assault victims, even if they do not want to make a police report.

The Montrose office is at 540 S. First St. and can be reached at 970-252-7445. Domestic violence victims in need of immediate help can contact the 24-hour crisis line for Montrose, Ouray and Delta counties at 1-844-990-5500.

Katharhynn Heidelberg is an award-winning journalist and the senior writer for the Montrose Daily Press. Follow her on Twitter @kathMDP.

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The many guests that were able to attend were inspired by the brave women who told their stories of how life brought them to Haven House. Guests came away with a new point of view regarding our programs that restore families to independent living. This night allowed them to understand just how important their support is to Haven House.

Please take a minute to revisit that evening through the photos and videos we have posted. Then consider making a reoccurring monthly donation of any amount to keep the success stories happening. God Bless you and thank you for your interest.

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Click here to read  Marline’s testimonial-2.2016 

Marline graduated the Haven House program on February 12, 2016. Her graduation party included well wishers and happy faces of her children and friends. As she acknowledges in her testimonial letter, this is a culmination of hard work with big rewards and she has put in the work to set the goals to make the future even better.

A heartwarming story that shows the Haven House program is an All-Inclusive answer to many of the elements that result in the homeless condition. We don’t plan on letting anyone stay in that condition who has the desire to transition back to a rewarding, self-supporting life. With help from the community of participants living at Haven House and the loving supportive and instructive staff and volunteers, no one has the reason to say “it can’t happen for me”. CONGRATULATIONS MARLINE AND FAMILY.

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With an ill husband, autistic son and traumatized daughter, it’s an understatement to say Amy Barrett is dealing with a tremendous burden.

She isn’t shouldering it alone, though. Barrett and her family are among those who call Haven House Transitional Living Center in Olathe home.

“My family was the victim of a crime,” Barrett explained, as she sat in Haven House’s playroom Dec. 21, her words contrasting with the rush of activity in the halls, as residents prepared for a Christmas “shopping spree.”

“My husband took it hard. He got sick and was unable to work. I was taking care of him and our children. We tried for me to work. It didn’t work out,” she said  READ MORE click links below.

Page 1 MDP 12-27 S2 P001          Page 2- MDP 12-27 S2 P002

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This summer we plan to work closely with the Montrose Library and their reading program.  All of our activities will be focused on earning badges for the summer reading program.  I plan on taking the kids to the library every Monday to pick up our badges and check out books to qualify for these badges. We will also be doing hands on activities to earn the badges for the reading program.  On one of the days of the week that I am working with the kids, we will be taking time to read the nonfiction books required to qualify for earning badges. In the plans below, I have not specified which day we will do this, as I’m sure depending on the activity, it may vary week to week; it may be something that we do while at the library on Mondays, or before/after our activity the next day of the week that I am working with the kids.

On June 8^th and 9^th we checked out books on theater to read together and also attended a puppet show at the library, earning our Theater and Puppetry Badge. We are also attending a theater production at Magic Circle on Saturday, June 13^th.

On June 15  I plan to take our weekly trip to the library, and on the 18^th attend a cartoon drawing class at the library to put towards earning the Art Badge.

On June 22^nd we will go to the library as usual, and on the 24^th attend a dance session at the library to earn our Music and Rhythm Badge. If the kids are interested, I also thought we might go to Harmony Park at Cottonwood Elementary playground to make our own musical production on the drums, chimes, and xylophones they have there.

On June 29^th we will go to the library as usual. I also hope to do our activity for a badge on this day as well.

On July 6^th we will go to the library, and on July 8^th-depending on the Ranger Program occurring at the Black Canyon, we may go there. The Black Canyon does not put out a schedule this far ahead, so depending on what they offer on this date, we may try this another week.

On July 13^th we will go to the library, and on July 15^th we will go to the library again to see Sgt. Sanders and Oxx the police dog, using this activity to put towards our Health and Safety Badge, and Animal Lover Badge.

On July 20^th we will go to the library to check out books; on this date they will also have a Superhero Green Screen for us to use towards our Computer Science Badge. As of now, I am unsure of what our activity will be for July 22^nd.

On July 27^th, August 3^rd, and August 10^th, we will go to the library to check out books as usual. I do not yet have plans for July 29^th, August 5^th, and August 12^th.

Although I do not have dates set out for these activities or confirmed that it will be feasible for us to go, I am currently working on the following activities for us to do:

• Admission to the CO Museum of the West or Dinosaur Museum in GJ/Fruita (Science/History Badge. Possibly use this trip to learn about some mining and railroads to earn our Engineering Badge.)
• Viewing some petroglyphs either at the Ute Museum in Montrose or in Escalante Canyon (History/Language/Culture Badge)
• An activity for the Culture Badge using some of my “souvenirs”, pictures, and possibly a recipe from Bolivia
• Touring Mattics Orchard in August (Food and Farming Badge)
• Going to the Black Canyon a second time for a hike (Nature/Travel/Recreation Badge)
• Make a plaster cast of our footprints for the Sleuthing Badge

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To listen to the interview and learn what issues the children face, click here. These issues are very similar to those experienced by children at Haven House.

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Last week when arriving at Haven House to serve as a tutor for Whiz Kids, I saw the room more crowded than usual.  I asked what’s going on. The other tutor told me two more families had moved in this week and that brought about five kids to our group. It was a crowded room and generally, Whiz Kids activities can get pretty noisy so I anticipated a good headache by the time we were done. In reality, all of the kids were amazingly subdued. Each kid had three crafts to do, then a nice little buffet of crackers, salami, grapes and celery with ranch dressing. The line for having seconds grew fast. The fruit punch had strawberry sherbet in it and that made everyone really excited. After the snack, each kid was given three gifts: a pair of gloves, a small rubber ball and a tin piggy bank, all from the dollar store. The kids were delighted. The finale was two homemade cookies to decorate for their parents. Out came the frosting, the sprinkles and colored sugar.

When it was all finished, we all gathered with some parents joining us, into a big circle holding hands to pray. With approximately 40 people, this could have taken longer than the attention span of the kids. But to my surprise, as the prayers started around the circle the kids stayed quiet and waited their turn, giving thanks for the group, the fun, the tutors and Haven House itself. The prayer of the last kid struck my heart with his simple words, “I sure love you Jesus and thanks for this place.”

It suddenly dawned on me that each kid living there now had more provisions than Jesus did the night he was born and some figured it came from Jesus. Even though their homelessness won’t last forever, while they are in it, their hearts are tender and intuitive. As one of the new kids was leaving with his arms full of his bounty, he shouted to the leader, “Thanks for Whiz Kids!”

This bit of reality was what I needed to see the full meaning of the Christmas miracle. It has somehow escaped me until I put myself in the shoes of the homeless families.

Whiz Kids Volunteer

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We began our Summer Activities Program by signing each child up for the “Summer Badge Quest Program” at the Montrose Library.   The kids tell me which badges they want to earn and we read books, do activities, and go on adventures to meet the criteria for the badges.  We spend one afternoon a week at the library checking out books and picking up our badges.  We spend another afternoon reading nonfiction books and doing hands-on activities around the theme.  Finally, one day a week, we participate in an adventure/field trip around the theme.  Following are the areas we have been working on-

1.  Animal Lover- we visited the Black Canyon of the
Gunnison.  A ranger taught us about the different birds that live in the
canyon.  See photos here. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
2.  Nature and Environment- we went on a nature walk at Baldridge
Park.  In addition, many of the kids went on a camping trip to help earn this
badge.  We are still working on projects like collecting flowers and seeds.

3.  Sports and Recreation- we spent a day at the Montrose Recreation
District.
4.  Theater and Puppetry-the kids joined together to read about
and create a theater production.  They performed and videotaped a play.  We had
fun coming up with costumes and props.
5.  Music and Rhythm-we had a musician spend the afternoon teaching us about rhythm.  He brought drums and a guitar for us to try out!

In July, we plan to have more adventures as we
earn the following badges-
6. Food and Farming-we visited Mattics Orchard in Olathe. A day at Mattics Orchard 2014    We will check out some kids’ cookbooks and perhaps try out a new recipe.
7.  Health and Safety-we will visit with a police
officer and learn about public safety.
8.  Travel and Adventure-we will learn
about different kinds of maps.  We’ll go on a  “Google Lit Trip” (googlelittrip.com) with Ipads.
9.  Science and Technology-we’ll learn how to use a star chart and study the
constellations.
10.  Computer Science and Digital Arts-we’ll continue our
film making from last month and focus on the digital pictures using online
drawing and painting tools.

If you have an area of interest that you would like to share with families at Haven House, please call (970) 626-5280 or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Rosemary at (970) 765-2252. The reward will be yours.

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