new shelter and expanded services
Giving hope a home
After more than 40 years of running a confidential shelter in a residential area of Bozeman, in 2023 Haven opened a new, public-facing, pet-friendly, gender-inclusive shelter – The Barnard Center – next to Bozeman Pond Park. The new shelter will eventually quadruple our capacity to shelter survivors of domestic violence.
We’re no longer a small organization with a primary mission of providing shelter. As our community grows – by 3 percent every year – our programs have grown with it. We now offer not only advocacy services like shelter and the 24-hour support line, we also offer education, outreach, counseling, and support groups. The Barnard Center is home not only to shelter residents, but to all of Haven’s wrap-around services.
Our progress
We cut the ribbon on the new shelter in May 2023. See our blog for earlier construction and progress updates!
“The Kendeda Fund applauds Haven for their community leadership and courageous work to empower survivors, hold abusers accountable, and stop the cycle of abuse. Haven’s efforts to promote equity, resiliency and the dignity of all individuals aligns closely with Kendeda’s mission. This work is especially important right now at this very difficult time. We are grateful to be a partner in the creation and construction of the new shelter, and I encourage everyone who is able to support this essential community project.”
- Tim Stevens, Fund Advisor, the Kendeda Fund
Why this is important
We’ll eventually be able to quadruple our capacity to shelter survivors – from around 12 beds in the former shelter, to eventually 40 in the new shelter.
Survivors staying at the new shelter will be welcome to bring their pets along. Pets are a part of the family, especially in the Bozeman area. Nationally, up to 65 percent of survivors with pets delayed leaving an abusive relationship for fear of what would happen to their pet.
The old shelter was a confidential, secret location; the new shelter is in a disclosed, secure location. A safer, more visible shelter shows that our community stands with survivors. A public-facing location also decreases the isolation survivors can experience when they stay in a shelter. The shelter includes a Bozeman Police Department substation, and the shelter site is also designed so that residents won’t have to interact with police officers unless they choose to do so.
Haven’s new shelter includes playgrounds, a space for children to play while their parent receives support services, and private suites for families – providing children with the home they deserve to grow and thrive.
One in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. The new shelter has designated, separate spaces for adult male identifying survivors and their children to find safety and escape abuse.
Thank you for your interest in this vital project. At Haven, we feel inspired and confident that a future without violence is possible.
We EXPECT to Serve 1,400 survivors in the first year of the new shelter
This project is only possible with the support of generous community members – THANK YOU
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While in the process of separating from my ex-husband, my children and I were unable to find stable, affordable housing with the option to keep our pets and found ourselves having to relinquish our sweet dog. Not having our dog during this rough period of our lives proved to be extremely traumatic to my children. Knowing the new Haven shelter will provide safe care for the entire family, as well as beloved pets, to maintain therapeutic consistency and stability through their transitions is wonderful. Thank you, to our community and Haven, for your support!
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HAVEN SURVIVOR
HOW TO GIVE
Donors support survivors in many ways. To discuss what works best for you, consider sitting down with Haven’s Director of Philanthropy and/or your financial advisor.
