Mission Statement
Mission of the Safe Haven Project, Inc.
The Safe Haven Project, Inc., is a non-profit international public health outreach and service learning organization with a primary focus to provide youth with empowering and inspiring opportunities, with a goal of maximizing their potential regardless of their current situation.
Through its two core departments; Retreats/Camps and Education, youth are both served in the areas and demographics of their need, and also offered opportunities to provide leadership and service domestically and abroad.
Retreats & Camps:
Camp Safe Haven:
Since 1994, the Safe Haven Project has been proud to provide weeklong retreats and camps for HIV+ Children and youth ages 8-18. Throughout its history “Camp Safe Haven” has served youth living with HIV through programs held in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland and North Carolina. Currently, Camp Safe Haven conducts its annual programs on Martha’s Vineyard, MA in April and in Arden, NC in August. Camp Safe Haven has not only served youth living with HIV from the United States, but also youth from Great Britain, Canada and Bermuda have attended programs. Camp Safe Haven Winneba, Ghana is pending opening in the summer of 2012.
Education:
Youth Futures International: “Serve, Learn & Empower!”
Since 2010, the Safe Haven Project has been proud to provide international service learning experiences for high school students from the United States. Students have had the opportunity to participate in Youth Futures International’s “Serve, Learn & Empower!” program held in Ghana, West Africa.
During the 17-day experience students are integrated into the host community and they provide vital public health education to both youth and adults. The mission is two fold; to assist in improving the overall level of wellness in the community, while at the same time gaining hands on leadership, teaching and public health experiences in a developing nation. Currently programs are held in Ghana, West Africa and will open in Bosnia Herzegovina in the summer of 2012.
Vision for the future:
Safe Haven aspires to continue to inspire and impact youth to maximize their potential and to expand their territories of influence globally. Within the next five years, we envision a force of up to 500 youth each summer, and more throughout the year, attending Youth Futures International programs globally.
We also will continue to be of service and outreach to HIV+ Youth in areas of greatest need as funding and support from local communities allows.