Press Releases

July 18, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15 YEARS AND 1,500 FAMILIES CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Greater New Haven’s largest provider of shelter for homeless families holds gala

For more information, contact:
Geralyn Johnson-Reis, APR
203.393.0358

NEW HAVEN, Conn., MAY 18, 2007 – Fifteen years of service and 1,500 families no longer considered “homeless”: This is what Life Haven, a homeless shelter for pregnant women and women with young children in the greater New Haven area will be celebrating at their gala on Thursday, June 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the New Haven Lawn Club.
“This is an important milestone for us,” commented Jack Keyes, Esq., New Haven Probate judge and president of Life Haven’s Board of Directors. “In many ways, this agency has quietly gone about its work – no famous celebrities or telethons, no splashy ads about what they do – and it’s been very successful.
“Each woman we serve who can go on to establish a real home, secure her own income and have better skills to parent her children – that is a huge ‘win’ for both that family and our community as a whole. Life Haven is changing lives – one family at a time.”
Life Haven’s Executive Director, Jacquelyn Pheanious, pointed out Life Haven is the largest provider of homeless services for children in greater New Haven. “Unfortunately, the number of homeless children in our state continues to increase,” said Pheanious. “At Life Haven, we have the only licensed childcare facility at a homeless shelter in the whole state. That means the children we serve are receiving excellent, consistent care while their mothers are working on solving their personal issues and learning the skills to end their homeless situation.”
The Gala, featuring a cocktail hour, buffet dinner and entertainment, is open to the public. Caldwell Banker Residential Cares Foundation is the Platinum Sponsor for the event; The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is the event’s Gold Sponsor. Tickets are $125 per person and sponsorships are also available. Call 203-776-6208, ext. 21 or 23.

Life Haven is a homeless shelter for pregnant women and women with young children in greater New Haven. Its goal is to provide the women at the shelter with the services and skills they need to secure adequate employment and permanent housing and provide the children with safe, licensed childcare and a safe and nurturing environment. Life Haven serves 20 families at any given time and has helped over 1,500 families get established in the community. For more information on Life Haven or how to support its work, visit www.lifehaven.org.

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