Safe Haven Campus Expands with Groundbreaking of Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie Paretti Day Center
Safe Haven Campus Expands with Groundbreaking of Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie Paretti Day Center
Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced the groundbreaking of the Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie Paretti Day Center on the grounds of the Safe Haven campus. The facility will be a place where parents can come in the daytime hours with their children, and utilize case management resources to help them regain their footing. In addition, the day center will provide the Guest families with a mailing address and a place to search for employment and tend to basic needs like personal hygiene, laundry, and care of pre-school aged children. Family Promise currently operates a day center serving homeless families, in the Slidell area.
“Safe Haven will be all-encompassing, and Family Promise of St. Tammany plays a part in that as they help homeless families in our community find their way back from difficult times, and regain their footing,” said Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President. “It is particularly heartwarming for me to see this building named in honor of Willie Paretti, who was not only a personal friend, but an unwavering, committed, community servant who held the cause and plight of our homeless residents dear to her own heart, and championed their cause throughout her life.”
“We are truly honored and privileged to have our new Day Center named in honor of Willie Paretti. Willie has positively impacted our families since our doors have opened,” said David Horchar, Executive Director, Family Promise of St. Tammany Willie’s generosity coupled with our other donors, volunteers and congregations have created more than a shelter. It’s become a beacon of hope for homeless children and their families.”
“The Safe Haven Foundation chose Family Promise of St. Tammany as the beneficiary of our inaugural event, because we believe that behavioral health and behavioral health care, is important for every community to thrive,” said Jack Donahue, founding member of the Safe Haven Foundation. “We fully support the mission of Family Promise, and look forward to the completion of a second facility here in St. Tammany.”
The Family Promise Network Program brings shelter, meals, and support services to homeless families. It is a cost-efficient, effective community response to family homelessness. Guest Families will use this Day Center from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, where a Case Manager provides services. At the Day Center guests pursue employment, tend to their pre-school children, shower, and launder their clothing. The center provides guests with a mailing address and a base for housing and employment searches during their time in the program. Many guests are employed during the day, while older children attend school. Family Promise partners with area congregations to provide temporary housing at night.
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In 2015 Pat Brister, St. Tammany Parish President, announced her administration’s vision of developing a comprehensive system of behavioral health care in St. Tammany. Safe Haven will provide a collaborative healing environment for the behavioral health continuum by creating a high-quality, coordinated, sustainable and humane network of care anchored in St. Tammany Parish. The facility will serve as a comprehensive multi- faceted program and provide a drop-off location into the Behavioral Health continuum of care for law enforcement, the judiciary and local area hospitals. To sign up for updates on the progress of Safe Haven visit www.safehavenstp.org.