Build Camp Haven

Camp Haven, Inc. held its second annual fund raiser at Holy Cross Parish Hall on January 31st with 150 enthusiastic supporters in attendance.

Dennis Bartholomew, CEO of Camp Haven explained: “Camp Haven fills a critical need in our county; there is no overnight shelter for adults without dependent children in Indian River County. It is difficult for homeless men and women to work, save money and lift themselves out of the woods, when they are struggling with basic survival and security. Camp Haven will provide a foundation for transformative changes in their lives.”

Pat Geyer, Project Manager shared the status of Camp Haven and described the generosity of people “board members and other donors answered our prayers, emerging in a just-in-time manner to make the acquisition possible and fast start the clean up and renovation process”.

A year ago, the Camp Haven project was seeking wooded land to build a camp with tents and mobile trailers to initiate a program for the homeless. Land was leased in September 2012. However, it would be at least a year before they could open. Then the 20-unit Citrus Motel just north of Airport Blvd on US 1 became available. It was purchased on December 21, 2012 and work began on Dec.26th under the leadership of John Dean, Architect.

Lalita Janke, Camp Haven Board President said “People ask us when Camp Haven will open. It’s such a worthy cause they say. The answer lies with you …with our community. When will you give and what is your contribution? We need to continue building to get our occupational license and open….the homeless are waiting. Can you dig deep and give boldly?”

The response from the warm, generous attendees and donors was heartwarming and encouraging for the new non-profit! The Camp Haven financial appeal, to date has brought in $90,000 toward completion of Phase 1of property renovations.

The engaging performance of Broadway star Laurie Gayle Stephenson, singing some of her favorite pieces and along the way sharing fascinating professional and personal stories, kept the audience enthralled and wanting more. The evening ended with the dramatic appearance of The Phantom of the Opera (aka Rhett Palmer) presenting his Christine with a red rose.

The evening was a success. Donors gave and pledged their support, attendees enjoyed the evening and Camp Haven, a supportive living opportunity for those looking to rise out of homelessness is much closer to completion….

Vero Beach, FL:  For close to three years community leaders have been engaged in an
on-going dialogue about how to solve one of Indian River County’s most elusive issues, how best to help adults who find themselves homeless due to life circumstances.  In a bold and decisive move, the Board of Directors of Camp Haven, Inc. has contracted with Land Holding LLC to purchase the recently foreclosed Citrus Motel property located on U.S. 1 across from the Vero Beach Airport.

“These new developments come as a direct result of conversations we’ve been having with civic leaders and with concerned citizens–a solution needs to be found, one that fits the needs of our clients and one that fits the needs of this county; we strongly feel this solution does both,” said Dennis Bartholomew, Executive Director of The Source and CEO of Camp haven, Inc. “Our program participants need an environment where they are able to focus on their plans for self-sufficiency; they need safety – they need hope, and they need it today,” added Bartholomew. By purchasing the recently foreclosed property, the organization will speed up the timeline for initiating the program by six-nine months. 

The components and the mission of the program remain the same: “Helping Indian River County men and women transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency by providing case management, life skills education and shelter.” Participants will have to qualify for the rigorous program and will have up to six months to complete it. Camp Haven was first envisioned as a soft-shelter environment and the organization had leased a location on 2^nd Street SW in Vero Beach.  But then the opportunity at the old Citrus Motel was presented and community leaders were quick to embrace the added attributes and benefits such an option would provide.  “Not only can we speed up our opening date, but this option allows us to begin the program with intact buildings versus soft shelters that required mobile trailers as common facilities.  When you are homeless, every day is a challenge; and living illegally in the woods makes it almost impossible to participate in a daily, concentrated program,” stated project manager Pat Geyer.  In addition to 19 units, laundry, and meeting room, there will be a central kitchen to provide three meals a day.   Participants will share responsibility for coordinating breakfasts and dinners; and since most people will be gone during the day for training, work or volunteer assignments, “carry-out” lunches will be made.

The startup economics of the location change are another benefit the board considered, “it’s true, the cost per participant would have been slightly less for the 2^nd Street SW camp; but there are many elements of the Citrus Motel that can be economically repaired,” added Geyer. And most of the on-going site maintenance will be handled by program participants. But the primary driving factor remains the needs of the clients.  “Every day at The Source they have to tell people there is no overnight shelter for them, no where they can turn, absolutely no shelter options in Indian River County – it’s disheartening, for them, and for The Source. We need a facility that can be open and running quickly – this is clearly our best option,” she added.   The organization expects to close on the property in early December and will continue its option on the leased land on 2^nd Street until then.  “We have a responsibility to our board, to our clients and to our donors to move forward focusing on what will work immediately and work best in the long term. We are committed to seeing this process through until each Indian River County man and woman who reaches out and who qualifies for the program gets a well-deserved hand up…not a hand out,” said Mr. Bartholomew.

In order to acquire the property, to complete repairs on the older motel, and to open the facility, Camp Haven, Inc. needs to raise approximately $700,000.  As an August Press Journal editorial said, “A spirit of cooperation…will be needed for Camp Haven to become operational.” The Camp Haven, Inc. Board, staff, volunteers and clients encourage the organizations and citizens of Indian River County to support this much needed program.

 

Randy thought that getting a job was the key to getting out of the woods.

He agreed to talk with me on camera about what it’s like to hold a job while living in the woods. His experience should rouse the compassion in all of us. Together, we can Build Camp Haven and bring back hope for Randy and many more like him.

Prepare for a new perspective, and click here:

Video: Randy speaks on working out of the woods

Moved? Then share your comments below.

Josh and Kristyn were on the streets and on the brink of divorce.

“We were both homeless, had no idea what was going to happen, and honestly scared to death,” said Kristyn. “Thanks to The Source, we were able to eat, shower, and get personal products, which gave us hope that we weren’t going to fall apart.”

Josh and Kristyn felt driven to get out of the woods, but going month after month without finding a job, being homeless, having no safe place to go, was taking its toll on them both. An emotional meltdown created an intense argument between them, and the conclusion left them discussing the word “divorce.”

They had been coming to The Source for meals, showers, and other basic needs, but now they reached out for help with a deeper need – saving their marriage. Pastor Jermey began to counsel with them.

Recent statistics reveal: the number one cause of separation in the United States today is financial hardship.

While meeting and praying with Josh and Kristyn, Jermey was led to ask a simple question. “What do you like to do?” asked Jermey.

“I like to work on cars,” replied Josh.

Jermey immediately thought of a friend who owns a mechanic shop. Over the next couple of days, Josh had an opportunity to meet that friend, which landed him a formal interview, which landed him the job. Kristyn has since found work as well, and they are now out of the woods.

Even more incredible, their experience has led them to contemplate God in a way they never had before. They have started attending a local church, and Josh is being mentored both personally here at The Source and professionally in the workplace.

“The Source helped my husband get his dream job. I’ve never seen him happier. I have hope now that one day I’ll have my family back and a life I can raise my children into. I now have the strength, courage, and the resources to accomplish anything!” says Kristyn.

It’s a shame that this couple was brought to the brink of divorce. While this is a happy ending for Josh and Kristyn, many more couples just like them are living out in the woods right now, struggling to hang on to the only thing they have left – each other. Help us build Camp Haven to provide them the safety and support they need.

I can’t help but think of all my beautiful friends with no safe place to sleep at night. Please support Camp Haven.