Frankie Hyde, Lauren Carlson, and Scarlett Lira presented to the Red Knight Community on March 4, 2022, about a local charity called Haven Housing which supports women in crisis. These three students were inspired to help women and families in crisis after their own observations of the demand for support and are hopeful that their presentation will inspire many in the student body to donate to the cause.

Haven House is a local Minneapolis charity that supports women and families in need of housing, resources, and other support. COVID-19 has increased the demand for housing, as more women were laid off and families couldn’t find adequate shelter to sleep and live in. Haven Housing steps in with three different locations that offer a variety of services and support for those in crisis. “One location is where they can stay with their kids. Another one is where they have support groups and just to get them back on their feet, get jobs, and so those two locations are kind of similar,” Hyde said.

Hyde, Carlson, and Lira believe the charity is a great opportunity to support fellow women and saw the common basket program offered through campus ministry as the perfect way to inspire their fellow Red Knight to support the cause. “I think that as women, we wanted to help people and women in crisis because we see everything that goes on. Having the opportunity to find something to help another woman really stood out to us,” Carlson said.

During their presentation, the three showed a video explaining the mission of the charity, the role of each of the locations, and what the charity did to support women and families during COVID-19. They also talked about how outside factors play a role in the focus of Haven Housing. Monica Neilsen presented as a representative of the nonprofit. “She spoke more about homelessness because we spoke a lot more about domestic abuse,” Hyde said.

The common basket had to be postponed because of the shortened schedule the week before spring break, however, the opportunity to donate will be available for students at a prayer service on Wednesday, April 6th. The three are hopeful that their presentation will inspire people to donate to the cause, so more resources can be acquired to further help the women and families in crisis in the Twin Cities. “We think that people were engaged…we’re really hopeful we get a good amount that they can use,” Hyde said.