Our Significance to the community
Safe Haven is unique in its operation as a fully supervised residential program serving primarily Douglas County but is open to all Oregon women. Our program is specifically designed for pregnant women and those with babies, who are homeless and/or in crisis. Safe Haven's program is a positive long term response to this much neglected population. Early prenatal care is critical to the health of their unborn child and continues to be a major issue. Women receiving inadequate prenatal care suffer complications which include infants with low birth weight and other abnormalities.
A 2017 report from Oregon Housing Alliance reports a serious shortage of affordable housing in Douglas County. For every 100 families with extremely low incomes, there are only 29 affordable units available. The 2017 Children's First for Oregon Report shows more than a quarter of Douglas County's families are living in poverty, more than 10% higher than the state average. Douglas County median family income is 21% lower than the state median, and the Douglas County unemployment rate is 2% higher than the state average. Child abuse, domestic violence and alcohol/drug use increases as unemployment numbers rise.
Typically abusers are family members and infants continue to be the largest group of abuse victims. Most of Safe Haven residents are in poverty and/or come from abusive situations. Half of these mothers are less likely to have graduated from high school which can lead to welfare dependence. One of the leading causes of childhood poverty is lack of education. Inadequate education coupled with the added responsibilities of parenthood make it difficult for a young mother to find and keep suitable jobs and living space. Considering the above factors, this population of at-risk youth need schooling, training and other assistance to develop a healthy identity, self-esteem, knowledge of and respect for limits, a moral code to live by, and the ability to make wise choices for themselves and their child. Parenting is one of the most important and demanding responsibilities a person will ever have. By teaching the rigors and responsibilities of parenting as well as the joys of parenting, and by building critical thinking and problem solving skills, parenting education gives young mothers the tools to make informed, realistic life decisions which reduce the need to hurt themselves or others. Thus the abuse cycle can be stopped.
Through Safe Haven Maternity Home's program, young mothers have their basic needs met while receiving the tools and training to help them become responsible adults, parents, and community members. We accomplish this through our dedicated staff and volunteers and by networking with other agencies in our community to meet the individual needs of our young moms and their babies.