What is Safe Haven?

Safe Haven After Class (S.H.A.C) is a holistic development program for children and teens, many struggling to their find their identity and place in this world and trapped in systemic poverty. We have partnered with Truth Tabernacle of Praise, a wonderful local Church who will use their basement for this program… We just started building out the youth room and mentorship studio and we are SO EXCITED to see this program launch (Hopefully in March).

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Why are we doing this?

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.

The Plan

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

March - May 2024— Safe Haven after school program and mentorship launches serving 30-40 youth each week. 

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...

The Program:

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.

The Price

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: $20,000 (Completed) 

Vehicle/bus: $40,000 - or a donated reliable bus/van (Still needing to be raised)

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: $64,000 ($24k for build out and $40,000 for bus remaining to be raised )


Total Program Operations budget for 2024 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

About Restore Life

Restore Life is a nonprofit organization focused on holistic restoration in the lives of underprivileged and disinvested community residents. Utilizing and empowering local solution oriented leaders, Restore Life helps fill in the gaps of need for those they serve. Whether it’s furniture, housing, job readiness/placement, food supply, counseling, education, creative arts, or youth mentorship, Restore Life is there meeting these needs in a dignified way with a “hand up” mentality instead of a “hand out” mindsetRestore Life Full Logo.png