Maureen's Haven provides a safe, warm temporary shelter for those who are homeless.
The goal of Maureen's Haven is to provide safe, temporary housing to the homeless during the cold winter months. The program operates from November 1 through April 1 and transportation to and from the many Houses of Worship that provide the meals and shelter is included in the services provided. Dinner, breakfast, and bag lunch plus encouraging support is given by our volunteer staff. Multi-service referrals to social service agencies are provided by the Maureen's Haven HopeLine staff to empower the guests of Maureen's Haven and the use of The HopeLine's case-management services is encouraged.
Donations, in-kind services and services, and the growing number of community volunteers and Houses of Worship members have made this program a tremendous success. Without their help, Maureen's Haven would not be possible. Because of the quality of the program and the increased loss of affordable rental housing in our area, on any given night there are usually 35 or more guests. It is estimated that there are approximately 500 homeless people every night on the East End.
Maureen's Haven 2007-08 Facts:
153 Nights Hosted
118 Individuals Served
12 Host Churches
3631 Beds Made
Over 1200 Volunteers
77% Men / 23% Women
10% Veterans
20% Working Homeless
It is estimated that the Maureen's Haven program saves Suffolk County tax payers $350,000 per year in Social Services costs.
Maureen's Haven is in need of more Houses of Worship to help provide shelter for the homeless. Because of the quality of the program and the increased loss of affordable rental housing in our area, on any given night there could be as many as 35 guests.
In addition the following Houses of Worship and Organizations provide Volunteers at various sites:
Advent Lutheran Church, Community Christian Fellowship, Cutchogue Presbyterian and United Methodist Churches, Mattituck Church of the Redeemer, North Fork Synagogue, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Orient Congregational Church, Westhampton Rotary, Westhampton Beach Knights of Columbus and Waldbaums.
Maureen's Haven began in the winter of 2002. At a conference in December 2002. At a conference in December 2001, agencies and volunteers from the East End heard Father Charles Strobel speak about a program in Nashville, Tennessee, called "room in the Inn." It provides homeless individuals with a hot meal, a safe place to sleep and breakfast. Maureen's Haven is modeled after this successful program.
The growing number of volunteers and houses of worship have made this program a tremendous success.