He said right now, the facility is open to those in need from Butler, Warren, Hamilton and Clermont counties.
“We are able to continue helping those in need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week solely from contributions made by individuals, churches and local businesses,” Grove said. “As a result of the various donations our shelter receives, we are able to stay open 365 days a year.”
Tough economic times has made it hard for the shelter to keep up with the needs of people who are trying to utilize its services.
“In the past year, we have seen a 18 percent increase in the people helped by our shelter,” Grove said. “We’ve seen a 10 percent to 17 percent increase in people coming here over the past two years.”
The shelter is a ministry dedicated to helping those much less-fortunate than others and that has stretched a wide net to help people.
“Our shelter is equipped to assist homeless families,” Grove said. “We accept single mothers, married couples with children and are the only homeless shelter in the tri-state that accepts single fathers with their children.”
Grove has always been looking at ways to keep the shelter running well and was glad to learn about the possibility of connecting with a special effort in the county that is dealing with what Haven House faces each day.
Recently several agencies gathered together to look at ways to combat poverty and homelessness in Butler County as part of the Bridges out of Poverty Coalition program.
The Butler County Educational Service Center (BCESC) in Hamilton has been serving families and children in need since 1914, and has been behind Bridges out of Poverty since its inception nearly two years ago.
The coalition gathers area non-profits, social service providers, political boards, community members and clients of social service programs together to share ways to help those in need.
Grove noted that he would glad to see his facility join forces with the effort and become a voice at the table with the coalition.
Gail, who did not want to give her last name, was leaving the shelter this week, and wanted to find the words to thank Haven House for its effort to help her.
“I have found a job now and I’m back on my feet,” she said. “I would’ve never had the chance it if wasn’t for this place.”
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