The budget stalemate in Sacramento is threatening the continuation of programs and services to victims of domestic violence in our community. Haven Hills receives more than 67% of its $1.4 million budget from state, city and county grants and until a state budget is passed, and for a while after that, no contracts can be signed at any level and no payments can be made for the services we provide. This causes a severe cash flow problem for Haven Hills because we do not have the resources to carry hundreds of thousands of dollars for months at a time. We are waiting to see what cuts in the grants the legislature may make which may cause us to eliminate or decrease services.

To get us through this difficult time Haven Hills will be relying on donations from our community and corporate and foundation grants to continue providing services to victims and their children who are struggling to break the cycle of violence. We will be decreasing spending in every possible area that has the least impact on client servivces.

The services provided by Haven Hills are vital to saving lives and breaking the cycle of domestic violence one family at a time. Three women a day are murdered by their batterer in this country and most of them are killed within two weeks after they leave the relationship. This is why it is absolutely essential that they have a safe, confidential place to go. Our 30-day Crisis Shelter provides a safe place that gives them the peace they deserve. Maria, a former shelter resident, tells what it was like for her.. "I was overcome by a sense of safety I hadn't realized had been missing from my life for a long, long time. That was the moment when, without asking me for anything in return, they gave me and my son what turned out to be the beginnings of a new life."

Our 18-month Transitional Housing and Employment program provides services to enable the woman to become self - sufficient for herself and her children by the time she leaves the program. The support givin in our Outreach Counseling Groups for women not living in our shelters empowers them to take steps to break the cycle of violence.

This is a critical time for the victims and their children who turn to Haven Hills for help. Your generous donation is the key to their violence-free life. Please donate now to help those in need.

Thank You!