Haven of Hope Farm & Residence

Annual Report of Activities 2024

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​In 2024 Haven of Hope served 21 women and 22 children

Typically, we serve on average 19 women and 14 children per year.  In 2024 we assisted more of our transitioned families than usual.  We filled shortfalls of food, rent, diapers, personal and household needs and provided Christmas for more children.   We are grateful for our community and church support which equipped us to fill needs that have increased in a challenging economy.

 

Infrastructure Goal for 2024 was to replace the carpenter ant-damaged sunroom and to raise funding for additional improvements to the farmhouse exterior

The old sunroom has been removed and replaced with a beautiful atrium which will be a multipurpose living and seed starting and growing space.

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The funds have been raised for the necessary exterior trim and window replacements thanks to an unexpected grant from the Shirley Noland Foundation and to the generosity of the Amsterdam Rotary Club. Work will commence in the spring of 2025.  

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Haven of Hope is making a major pivot in its residential and work experience program as of 2025 for two reasons

Number one, we learned that because HOH accepts rent from DSS or employed residents for $300/month we are considered a landlord, if a resident who is out of compliance with our rules is asked to leave it can take up to four months for that person to vacate, which is unacceptable for many reasons.

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Number two, our farmstand and bakery business has continued to grow, but fewer farm residents are taking advantage of the work experience program. The second half of 2024 has been fraught with labor shortages due to most of our residents being disabled or working outside of the farm.  Pat has been picking up the slack as usual, but this is unsustainable in the long term.  

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So, what is changing?

Haven of Hope will no longer accept rental payments, (rental income in 2024 was $14,000).  We are changing our program eligibility requirements, all new residents in addition to being homeless, must be work ready.  Housing will become a benefit of employment.  

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HOH will continue to serve one homeless woman with children at a time in the new family unit, they will be our only exception to the work requirement.  Case management will be provided to assist with short- and long-term goals and transition plans to permanent housing to all residents.

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It is no longer practical to operate as an emergency shelter.  To sustain the fully developed work experience program, our residents must be utilizing the employment opportunities available on site.

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As a result of being short-handed the second half of the year payroll expenses were down (Pat does not take a salary), and sales were slightly up so our work experience program netted a profit of $13,990! This is just the amount we needed to be ahead to forgo rent in 2025! 

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Despite the many challenges in 2024 we are off to a great start for the new year, and we feel blessed to have you all by our side, we could not do it alone.

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We are looking forward to another Farm Festival on Saturday, July 26th and our annual banquet later in the fall, (date and location will be announced soon). These are great social events as well as opportunities to show us support.

 

With Sincere Gratitude,

Haven of Hope Farm & Residence, Board of Directors

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