The Haven Heartbeat

Haven Update

The Work Continues

August was certainly a month to remember at The Haven.

While much of our attention was focused on preparing for Wonderfully Made, life inside the home continued because the needs of the young women and babies we serve don't stop for an event.

During August, The Haven provided 123 nights of safe care, with four moms and three babies actively served.

Each of those nights represents the everyday work of providing a safe and stable environment where young mothers can focus on their pregnancies, their babies, their goals, and the futures they are working to build.

The month also brought a special visit from a former resident and her children; a welcome opportunity for our Haven family to reconnect, spend time together, and celebrate a relationship that began during her time in the home.

Even in one of our busiest months of the year, the daily work continued: providing care, building relationships, and creating a place where young women and their babies can feel safe, supported, and encouraged.

Wonderfully Made may have been one remarkable night, but the work of The Haven continued every night.

Sometimes the impact of The Haven continues long after a resident has moved on to the next chapter of her life.

This month, our team had the opportunity to walk alongside a former resident and her children as they faced a difficult situation. The Haven was able to help them leave that situation and move into a safer, more stable environment. 

It's a reminder that stability isn't always a straight line.

There can be setbacks. Unexpected circumstances. Moments when someone who has made tremendous progress suddenly needs a helping hand again.

And when those moments come, relationships matter.

The goal of The Haven has never simply been to provide housing for a season. It is to help young women build the relationships, skills, confidence, and support systems that can carry forward into the lives they are building for themselves and their children.

For this former Haven mama, that meant knowing there were still people willing to stand beside her when she needed help taking another step toward safety.

Sometimes a new beginning starts by knowing you don't have to take the next step alone.

This month, I wanted to share this space with another important voice in the leadership of The Haven.

As Board Chair, Terry Swaim has been part of the leadership, encouragement, and support that help guide The Haven's mission. Following this year's Wonderfully Made concert, Terry shared some reflections with our team and Board about what he witnessed throughout the evening.

What struck me about his reflections was that the moments that stayed with him most weren't simply what happened on stage. They were the moments he witnessed among our mamas and babies, volunteers, staff, and those who faithfully surround this ministry with love and support.

I thought his words offered a meaningful perspective on what Wonderfully Made represents and why this evening matters far beyond the concert itself. So this month, I've invited Terry to share his reflections with you. 

Championing For The Mamas and The Babies,

Leah Manning
Executive Director

What I Saw at Wonderfully Made

As I reflect on this year’s Wonderfully Made concert, I am incredibly proud of everyone who poured their time, energy, and heart into making the evening possible. From our staff and board members, all the members and staff of Hebron Church, to our sponsors and volunteers, so many people came together around a shared purpose: supporting the young mothers, babies, and families served through The Haven.

It was a wonderful evening. The performances, videos, speakers, and overall experience were exceptional. But as meaningful as everything happening on stage was, some of the moments I will remember most happened away from the spotlight.

I saw our young mothers singing and worshiping Jesus.
That moment nearly brought me to my knees. Seeing these young women worship freely and joyfully was a powerful reminder of why this ministry exists and of the work God continues to do in their lives.

I saw Haven babies being held and loved.
Throughout the evening, I watched Kristin, our house moms, and others hold and care for these precious little ones. It was a beautiful picture of the community that surrounds our mothers and babies—not simply during a concert, but every day.

I saw love flowing between those who serve and those being served.
There was an unmistakable spirit of kindness throughout the evening. It could be seen in conversations, embraces, smiles, and the many small moments of connection taking place throughout the room.

And I saw genuine joy on the faces of our volunteers.
So many people gave their time to make Wonderfully Made possible, and what struck me was not simply that they were serving, but the joy with which they served.

Those moments reminded me that Wonderfully Made is about much more than what happens on a stage.

It is about creating a community around young women who need to know they are loved, valued, and not alone. It is about babies beginning their lives surrounded by people who care. And it is about people coming together in the name of our Savior to help bring hope into circumstances that once may have seemed hopeless.

The concert may have lasted only one evening, but the ministry it supports continues every day at The Haven.

To everyone who attended, sponsored, volunteered, prayed, gave, or helped make Wonderfully Made possible, thank you. I hope you know that you were part of something much greater than an event. You were part of a community demonstrating what it looks like to love and serve others well.

I walked away from Wonderfully Made encouraged, grateful, and reminded once again of the profound impact this ministry is having.

And I cannot wait to see what God does next.

Terry Swaim
Board Chair, The Haven at Hebron

Community and Gratitude

A Community That Shows Up

Wonderfully Made may have taken place on one night, but the volunteer effort behind it began long before the doors opened.

Throughout the weeks leading up to the concert, volunteers gave their time helping our team prepare for the evening. There were countless details to organize, tasks to complete, and preparations happening behind the scenes; all made lighter by people who were willing to step in and help.

Then, as August 29 arrived, that spirit of service continued.

Volunteers from a number of churches and throughout our community came together to help welcome guests, support concessions, assist behind the scenes, and serve wherever they were needed.

Some arrived as early as 3:30 in the afternoon and continued serving until 10:00 that evening. Others stepped in for shorter shifts, including a dedicated concession team that served for several hours.

From the preparation throughout the month to the final hours of the concert, every volunteer played a part in making Wonderfully Made possible.

And something else stood out: they served with joy.

That joy was noticed not only by our staff but throughout the evening. Relief House Mom Hope Wingate shared that even friends she had personally invited to volunteer talked afterward about how much they enjoyed being part of the night.

Every person had a different role, but together they created something bigger.

They created welcome.

They created hospitality.

They created the kind of environment where our mamas and babies could feel celebrated.

To every volunteer who helped prepare in the weeks leading up to Wonderfully Made, and to those who served throughout the event itself; thank you. You didn't simply help us put on a concert; you helped create an evening our Haven family will remember.

Room to Breathe

Not every meaningful moment at The Haven happens at a major event.

Sometimes healing looks a lot more ordinary.

Recently, one of our board members and volunteers opened their home to The Haven family for a day of swimming, playing, relaxing, and simply enjoying time together. 

There was no program to complete. No milestone to check off.

There was simply room to breathe.

For young women who have experienced instability and stress, opportunities to laugh, relax, build relationships, and experience healthy community can be meaningful parts of the healing process.

We are incredibly grateful for those who support The Haven not only through what they give, but through the ways they open their lives to our mamas and babies.

Sometimes making a difference looks like making room.