John Yacavone introduced our speaker:
Will Towne Towne, Executive Director for The Haven in White River Junction, VT, has over a decade of experience in housing, shelter, and youth and family services, previously serving as Chief Operating Officer at Spectrum Youth & Family Services, based in Burlington, VT. In that role, he oversaw agency-wide operations, expanded programs and facilities, and led initiatives in property development, fundraising, and policy creation.
Earlier in his career, he helped launch a Winter Warming Shelter, managed supported housing programs, and advanced basic needs services such as drop-in centers and housing support for young people.
Beyond his organizational leadership, Towne has been an active voice in housing and homelessness policy statewide. He has served on the Governor’s Council on Housing and Homelessness, co-chaired the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance, and contributed to multiple statewide committees focused on shelter, data, and coordinated entry. His work reflects a consistent commitment to equity, sustainability, and ensuring that client perspectives shape programs and services.
Will Towne, Executive Directot, The Haven
Will began his presentation by reflecting on how he was drawn to human services when he was in college. He volunteered at an organization that helped underserved children. On the second day, he learned a child was trying to commit suicide. Rather than just thinking how tragic this was, he remembered thinking, what would drive a child to make a decision that this as the best solution to a problem they were experiencing. What could he do to help kids find better solutions> This drove him to explore opportunities for employment in human services. He knew he wanted to be involved programs that would provide housing and shelter.
Will then used a PowerPoint presentation to help him provide an overview of The Haven.
Mission
The Haven is helping to create a community where people find hope and discover possibilities. With the support of the Upper Valley community, the Haven assists those who are experiencing poverty to be free from hunger, to be securely housed, and to pursue a self-directed life.
The Haven, WRJ, Vermont
The organization’s staff works to stay focused on their clients’ own goals and try to guide the person to achieve their goals. Staying focused on what the client thinks, not what “we think they need”.
The Haven was founded 46 years ago. Today, they serve about 10,000 people per year.
They focus on food access, shelter, service coordination and children’s programs.
Food Access
Food access is the biggest program. The Haven helps between 80-100 people each day, though recently they have had days were the provide food to close to 130 people. This represents 3,429 families receiving food last year. They have a market area where clients can go shopping like they were in a typical grocery store. They work to keep the shelves fully stocked so people coming into the store feel they can take whatever they need. The market is open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Thursday and on Friday, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Will shared the Willing Hands as an wonderful partner. Willing Hands recovers fresh food from local farms, grocery stores, restaurants, and regional wholesalers, and delivers it year-round, for free, to over 85 social service organizations across the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire.
In addition to their facility in WRJ, The Haven has food sites at DHMC for Mothers in Recovery, Twin Pines and at several churches.
Shelter
The Byrne Family Shelter has 46 beds. The shelter had 18 families reside there last year. The Hixon Adult Shelter has 20 beds and served 46 individuals last year. In addition to providing housing, guests receive three daily meals, service coordination, and support to pursue personal goals, including housing, employment, and healthcare.
Will shared the winter shelter on Mechanic Street has closed and will not be used this winter. But it served a need, and they learned a lot by operating it for a few years. This past winter it served 70+ individuals.
The new Leahy Shelter & Resource Center at 608 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, will open in September. On the second floor will be 20 beds with a resource center on the first floor.
Last year, 19 families moved into permanent housing. All shelters have large waiting list. It can be almost impossible for some families and individuals to find affordable housing. The Leahy facility will:
Be Year-round, low-barrier shelter;
Provide 5000+ bed nights each year;
Establish a first-floor resource center for service coordination, partner meetings, clinics, and workshops; and
Be on the Advance Transit bus route
Community Service Coordination
The Haven offers one-on-on private support for:
Housing searches, benefits access, and employment.
Navigating systems that don't always work
Developing long-term relationships, not one-time referrals
Children’s Programs (after school and summer)
22 children were served last year. It is a space for kids to just be kids. It is for children who live or have lived in our shelters. Children receive homework help, and they offer creative programs focused on life skills, and active play. They have community partnerships with Artistree, UVAC, King Arthur, and many others.
Budget
The majority of our funding comes from private giving, through individual, business, foundation, and grant gifts. The Haven’s budget is over 7-million dollars, without factoring in in kind food donations. The organization works to keep salaries reasonable in order to attract skilled staff. They have over 300 volunteers who work the equivalent hours of 7 full-time employees.
Sources of Income:
Latest Statistics
In the Upper Valley, the homeless count identified close to 300 people to be unhoused. Approximately, 12.1 % of our population is food insecure. In Vermont, there has been an increase of 200% in those who are homeless. The newest concern is the number of elderly individuals who find themselves without a home.
How to help?
Volunteer
Donate
Connect people with needs to the Haven
Other questions?
Email Will at wtowne@uppervalleyhaven.org