Letter From Almoner

For more than a quarter of a century, The Havens Relief Fund Society has been a beacon of hope for children and families. In emergencies, tragedies, and times of utter hopelessness, we have turned to Havens for the help — unavailable anywhere else — that has made all the difference in the lives of so many desperate families.

In 1985, you saved the home of the young mother and her three-year-old son recently abandoned by her husband and threatened with eviction.

 In 1989, your generosity made it possible for a distraught mother to travel to and from the Bronx for three months of specialized training she needed to be able to safely bring her severely brain damaged 7-year-old son home to live.

 In 1996, you helped us purchase a wheelchair for an 11-year-old boy, the oldest of three children — all reunited with their mother after she successfully completed rehabilitation and supervised visits.

In 2001, a formerly homeless 14-year-old girl was able to purchase the clothing her new school required to meet their strict dress code. She subsequently graduated with distinction, graduated from college, and now is working in a well-paying job in the City.

More recently, you were there for a young immigrant mother whose husband was viciously beaten to death in a racial hate crime. Deprived of his income, she soon ran out of money. Thanks to you, she and her three-year-old son had the emergency funds they needed for food and basic household supplies until she got back on her feet.

These are just a very few examples of the many families your goodness has touched and transformed. Some survived fires and others floods; others are recovering from domestic violence. On all their behalf, I send you my profound and heartfelt thanks for being the "port" we can turn to in so many storms.

 Thank you letter from long-term Almoner