Many of our city's most undeserved residents are living out of hotels, unable to secure affordable housing and viable employment. The cycle of poverty spirals families caught in these situations leaving them with very limited options. The COVID-19 Pandemic effects, the mass displacement of lower income residents from the city due to gentrification/unaffordable housing, job layoffs, or the dwindling of section 8 availability are a few of the many reasons lower income residents find themselves struggling to keep a roof over themselves and their loved ones. Extended Stay hotels are a step before homelessness for many families as they struggle to pay the room fee week to week or day to day. Restore Life already has a ministry presence in the hotels and are reaching families all week long with food and job development programs. We believe that deep gospel environments where the Holy Spirit can heal and restore lives, and holistic discipleship programs that equip the next generation to flourish, is one of the solutions and missions God is leading his people here in Stone Mountain to execute together.

December 2023 - April 2024 - Raise start up and 2024 operating funds, build out space and train team members and volunteers. 

May — Safe Haven Staff and volunteer training. Summer camp Fundraising.

June - July, 2024 - Summer Mentorship Program (50 youth from community served) 8 weeks of summer camp. Day camps: Monday-Thursday 8 am-3 pm. Away camps: that go Monday- Saturday for older kids.

September - December, 2024 - Safe Haven/ after school and Mentorship Programs start back up - Expand to serving 50 plus youth from community. Add new programs and ministries as God provides the resources and volunteers. (Cooking classes, youth led businesses, clothing ministry, etc...

Safe Haven, in an effort to meet the needs of youth and families, partners with Churches to create spaces for youth development. We build out youth gathering and worship spaces, studios and production rooms to serve local families. The program focuses on the following objectives:

•Provide weekday after school sessions focused on the mental, physical, emotional, creative and spiritual development of youth ages 8-18.

•Creative Arts - Music/audio engineering and production/video production, drawing/painting, dance, and drama.

•Tutoring/homework help (as God provides the tutors)
•FUN and safe recreational activities (video games, sports, martial arts etc.) •Daily snacks and meals that promote physical health and wellness •Clothing and supplies for school

•Provide jobs for qualified mentors in the areas of tutoring, music lessons, meal preparation, and mentorship.

•Provide a food pantry for the families of the youth who are struggling with food disparity.
•Provide a space for counseling and mental health development for children as well as parents. •Improve the overall experience of all our needy neighbors and promote a safe and healthy environment for people to flourish for God’s glory and Kingdom.

Space Build out/renovations: $24,000 - $9,000 in labor and $15,000 in materials (Could be cheaper depending on what we can get donated and volunteers willing to help) 

Gear (Computers, instruments, mics, cameras: $30,000 ( $20k Completed) 

Vehicle/bus: $40,000 - or a donated reliable bus/van (Bus Purchased. $15k remianing to be paid off)

Yearly Budget: (Ongoing Fundraising)
Liability and theft Insurance: $4,000 (annually)
Utilities: Electric/gas/water, security (5 cameras, ), and internet. $6,000
Personnel: $70,000 (Part time program director $36,000. Mentor stipends, $34,000) Vehicle : $12,000 (Insurance, gas, maintenance, driver stipend)
Food: $12,000 (snacks and dinners during program)
Family Assistance fund: $12,000

Total Start up need: $20k remaining 

Total Program Operations budget for 2024-2025 programming: $116,000. (We have about $20k pledged so far for 2024 operating budget) Need to raise another $96k in pledges to cover operating costs