Next Steps Guide
The Haven
An emergency shelter for kids coming into care launched by BCS TOGETHER Brazos County, Texas
? OUR PROBLEM
OUR SOLUTION
OUR RESULTS
Children in our community were sleeping in Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) offices for extended periods of time while waiting for a foster placement.
We opened a home called The Haven to have a place for children and DFPS caseworkers to stay for as long as they need until they find a placement.
In just 3 months, we have been able to mobilize our community around this project, had financial donations cover every single item purchased (all new) for furnishing the home, and opened the home to children and caseworkers.
OUR CONTACT OUR INSIGHT • Ask big & bold! Don’t be afraid to dream big! • Motivate the community to share with their circle about the needs. Several needs were met by clubs and small groups! • Get your local news channels involved! • We’ve had everything covered with very little expense to BCS Together. The Haven has been by far the most popular thing we’ve done, gaining a lot of traction in the community.
To learn more about implementing this project in your community, please contact: JENNI OLOWO admin@bcstogether.org bcstogether.org
OUR PEOPLE Role
Hours Per Week Volunteer / Paid
Executive Director
Oversaw the entire project. The Haven is less time intensive now, but while it was being prepared, this role coordinated all the details of the project.
Director of Community Partnerships
Attended Chamber of Commerce meetings, talked to businesses, appeared on local news programs and spent time with community members raising awareness of what was going on.
Communications Director
Created and monitored all the social media posts about room sponsorships, goals for gift card donations, and raising community awareness and engagement.
The Haven Manager
The Haven is run similar to an Airbnb. DFPS checks in and out with The Haven Manager. She cleans and turns it over in between visits and she provides gift cards and food as needed.
10-15 hrs/wk
Paid
10 hrs/wk
Volunteer
10-15 hrs/wk
Paid
10 hrs/wk
Paid
OUR BUDGET Need
Amount How the Need was Met
Furniture + Home Items
$15,000
We asked for room sponsors and posted an online inspiration board for each room including large items such as washer/dryer, security system, etc. We had 7 different groups sponsor the complete furnishing of the rooms.
Toys, books, kitchen items, essentials
$5,000
We created online wishlists to Amazon and Target allowing others to directly purchase and ship home items.
Hiring a manager for The Haven
$8,000/yr members gave specific finanical donations to cover the costs of this hire.
Food, Grocery & Restaurant gift cards for caseworkers and children staying at The Haven Liability Insurance
We shared this need on our social media accounts and our community
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Community members have donated gift cards and food, and local restaurants have donated gift cards or invited caseworkers to eat with them when they are hosting a child at The Haven. The attorneys who were looking over the insurance and advising us on
$3,000/yr the policy ended up donating the financial amount needed to cover the insurance.
YOUR NEXT STEPS Step
MoreThanEnoughTogether.org
Person Responsible Due Date