H.A.V.E.N. Update
By Cathleen Osborne-Gowey (Program Admin – Crime Victim Advocate) 918.554.2836 or COsbornegowey@estoo.net
Upcoming Events:
Support Group will now be IN PERSON: Please call our office for details.
Program Update:
Hello all –
Fall is here – the air is cooler and the leaves are changing. Speaking of change – our program has hired a new advocate! We’d like to introduce Ashley Beard! Working as our local Haven advocate, Ashley Beard, has worked as a child advocate in shelter, has a strong connection with the local community, and works as a liaison with our local domestic violence advocacy shelter. Ashley decided to make a change from early childhood education and child advocacy to work with the Haven team, assisting victims in shelter and those in need of emergency temporary safe housing. She utilizes her strong connection to the local community and shelters to support clients in need of services and emergency temporary housing.
Also, Haven found out it was awarded the Department of Health and Human Services Family Violence Prevention grant! This grant does amazing work providing the services that our larger grants can’t offer. Lastly, we also found out that we were awarded the 2022 Tribal Victims Services Set-Aside grant which will fund the running of our emergency temporary safe houses for five full years! Such blessings!!
This month we’re focusing our article on some program basics – what is Haven, what are our hours, how do services work for those outside the service area, and who can stay in the tiny safe homes?
What is Haven Program?
Haven is a tribal advocacy office that provides advocacy and services to all Eastern Shawnee Victims regardless of where they live and non-members within the program’s service area of Ottawa County Oklahoma, and cities Vinita, Grove, Jay Oklahoma and Seneca MO.
We offer advocacy and services to all victims of crime, specifically domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
What are Haven’s Hours?
We are open Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. As we are a small program, we do not offer 24-hour emergency crisis hotline services. If you call our office after hours we list the phone number to access local 24-hour crisis advocacy and information through local shelters.
Office line: 918.554.2836 or text line: 918.533.3070
Where to Access 24-hour Emergency Crisis Advocacy and Information
StrongHearts Native Helpline – 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives – offering culturally appropriate support and advocacy. 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483). You can also find them at https://strongheartshelpline.org/ where they offer instant chat with advocates.
Community Crisis Center of Northeast Oklahoma – local domestic violence shelter. They offer a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-400-0883 or live chat through their website https://getmeout.org/
How do Services Work for Eastern Shawnee Who Live Out of Area?
Haven provides services to all Eastern Shawnee victims regardless of where they live. For those outside our service area, Haven advocates will work in conjunction with local advocates who have determined lethality, dominant aggressor if applicable, and need to provide services.
What are the Emergency Temporary Safe Houses For?
Haven provides emergency temporary safe houses in the form of tiny homes. Those in the local area have probably driven by and seen them. These homes are for current Haven clients (those who are current victims of crime and who have filled out our intake forms and it was determined by an advocate that they qualify for our temporary housing) who seek emergency temporary housing for a few days to make the necessary arrangements for long term shelter or services. These are not for long term stay – are not open to the general public – and are for clients who do not need a locked shelter unit for safety.
If you have concerns about what’s happening in your relationship, we’re here to listen and support you!
If you are able please call or see the messaging links above:
Haven Office: 918-554-2836
Text Line: 918.533.3070
Program Website: https://havenprogram.com/
Program Email: havenprogram@estoo.net
Facebook: HAVEN Tribal Program, Twitter: @ProgramHaven, Instagram: HAVENTRIBALProgram.
Our advocates are here to help!