Hope Haven provides shelter, education, medical care, and mental health care within a family setting to ensure children can heal from trauma and lead healthy lives.
Why is it important?
Hope Haven Children’s Home and Community Shelter is the only children's shelter in San Pedro housing abused, neglected or orphaned children. They offer mental health and education services (such as tutoring and literacy) to the children in their care. They also offer emergency placement and outpatient counseling services to victims of domestic violence. Since its official opening as a shelter, Hope Haven has had numerous children staying anywhere from weeks to months at a time in their care.
San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye in Belize is host to nearly 25,000 residents, and there is a great need for children and families. 43 percent of Belize’s population lives in poverty. Most families are one emergency away from losing their homes or falling into major debt. Hope Haven is the only children's shelter on the island and hosts the Colleen's Kitchen Food Bank to over 150 women and children, as well as hosts empowerment programs for youth and young women. From providing counseling services to serving hot meals and providing business opportunities, their main goal is to give hope to the community.
Colleen's Kitchen (formerly San Pedro Food Bank) offers hot meal services twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays to about 150 women and children. These families are registered through Belize Social Services as low-income families and referred to Hope Haven for assistance. In 2018, they served over 18,000 meals at the San Pedro Food Bank at Hope Haven and look forward to serving just as many, if not more, each year hereinafter. At the food bank, they not only serve food but, more importantly, foster healthy family relationships by providing families with the means to spend time together: reading books, playing games, and by letting Hope Haven get to know more about their lives. Last year, they transitioned 6 families (45 people) out of the food bank program by assisting them with their resume writing and interview skills, allowing for new and/or improved employment opportunities.
