Grant helps Lake County Haven expand programs

Submitted by Sigale Public Relations

The Lake County Haven will expand its Transitional Housing program for homeless women and children after receiving a $100,000 grant from the Lake County Affordable Housing Program.

"This generous grant means more women and children will be able to benefit from our services," said Laura Sabino, executive director of the Lake County Haven. "This is a wonderful opportunity for them to get a new start in life, to leave behind the danger and isolation of homelessness, and to replace it with safe, stable independent living.

"The Lake County Haven's program, which has shown great success in transforming people's lives from homelessness to independence, was already working well. There just wasn't enough of it. This grant was focused on changing that," Sabino said.

The Lake County Haven is a nonprofit dedicated to serving homeless women and children from all across Lake County. The agency has operated for almost 24 years, with most of its properties in Libertyville. The Lake County Haven runs a Shelter and Transitional Housing program in which around 30 women and children are served each night.

In 2015, the agency provided more than 10,400 nights of shelter/housing to the community and more than 8,900 hours of services. Services include job coaching, financial coaching, counseling and case management. The Haven also runs a Day Program that offers 40-plus hours of counseling and training on self-sufficiency.

Jodi Gingiss of the Lake County Planning department said, "The Lake County Board demonstrates its commitment to special needs housing with investments like this. The Lake County Haven is a strong, compassionate, and well-run organization with the right tools to help women on the rough road from substance abuse to recovery."

The Lake County Haven is a low-barrier agency helping people who are homeless for any reason. In 2015 alone, more than 82 percent of the agency's residents, who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, mental illness, and catastrophic physical illness, were able to move on to safe, stable, independent housing after completing the program.

"It's grant money well-spent," Lake County Haven board member Carol Calabresa said.

For more information about The Lake County Haven, visit www.lakecountyhaven.org or contact Sabino at (847) 680-1841 or director@lakecountyhaven.org.

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