OBJECTIVE:

The main objective of GOD'S HAVENS FOR CHILDREN is to establish homes in the USA and elsewhere around the world for the purposes of providing refuge, healing and restoration for the children who have suffered the above-mentioned types of abuses. Although statistics may vary from country to country, various studies done in the USA estimate that 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 10 boys become victims of child sexual abuse by the time they are eighteen.Additionally, given that statistics alsoshow that approximately 60 to 70% of all children removed from their biological families have been sexually victimized (though these abuses may not be officially categorized as such), GHFC has broadened its mandate to include serving other at-risk children.

CONCEPT OF HAVEN:

The concept of "haven" encompasses more than a physical structure so as to include any mechanism by which a child can receive shelter and restoration. The first official program of GHFC in San Luis Obispo County, California, USA is a foster family agency (FFA) licensed by the State of California. Yet another program is a mentoring outreach to a juvenile facility where the adolescent is provided a "haven" in the form of the security and support of a mentor friend. GHFC has received strong support for its programs from local authorities. Any GHFC program or haven welcomes children of any age and any religious, racial or ethnic background for any duration necessary.

COMMUNITY OUTLOOK:

GHFC strives to meet the particular needs of the children of each community where it is established. Because of its service to children, GHFC is mandated to work with governmental authorities. GHFC will also continue to work in tandem with existing community resources, coordinating with those appropriate to its mission — while being sensitive to the cultural and philosophical aspects of the community. As a result, what is established in one state or country may differ dramatically from what is established in another. The guiding principle of GHFC is to be as flexible and adaptable as possible while keeping in sight the primary mandate of its mission.

INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH:

GHFC has now embarked on its first international outreach. It is in the process of incorporating into a non-profit in Mexico under the name “Refugios de Dios para Niños”.

Once this incorporation is complete, the organization will be in a position to officially receive 10 acres of land in the state of Sonora, Mexico, which have been offered and accepted by GHFC. At present, plans are to build a haven home on the 10 acres as originally envisioned.

This and all GHFC outreaches will continue to seek to provide a sanctuary and an environment where each child can grow to his or her particular potential. As a consequence of this land donation, a significant number of new alliances and potential partnerships with agencies with similar missions have begun to flourish, particularly in Mexico.

GOVERNANCE:

GHFC is governed by an International Board of Directors responsible for the oversight of all of its operations and all other local boards, both domestic and international. Each outreach has its own Board of Directors, responsible for the oversight of a particular region and any programs associated with it. As has been the case since its inception, Boards of Directors are volunteers and reflect the experience of Christians from a variety of denominations and backgrounds with one common goal: to embrace God’s vision for this ministry and to serve Him and the children whose lives GHFC seeks to heal and make free. GHFC will continue to have the benefit of the wisdom of its Advisory Committee and of others who volunteer their time, talents and gifts, both spiritual and material. The organization wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the contributions of all those who serve or have served in all of these volunteer capacities.

DONORS AND FOUNDATIONS:

GHFC is grateful to all supporters who have donated funds towards its work. The organization was privileged to have been the recipient of an extremely generous unrestricted seed gift from the Salus Mundi Foundation in 2001. This founding gift and subsequent major gifts from Salus Mundi have made it possible for GHFC to establish itself with a solid level of professional excellence. The entire organization is deeply indebted to the Salus Mundi Foundation and its leadership and wishes to publicly recognize them in this publication.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON FAITH AND OUR OPERATIONS:

The mission of God’s Havens for Children is to enable children to grow up in the safety of a godly, loving and caring atmosphere. We at God’s Havens for Children will endeavor to be good models of our Christian faith, so that by our behavior, consideration and compassion, the children in our care would seek to inquire about the source of our faith, our hope, and our love. Nevertheless, to the extent possible, we will seek to respect the religious traditions of children and their families, without placing emphasis on proselytizing our particular beliefs. We take seriously and literally that part of our guiding scripture that says we are "… to set at liberty them that are bruised." It follows, then, that any form of coercion is contrary to the spirit of liberty with which Christ has set us free. Our overriding goal, and indeed, the work in our own faith which Jesus so perfectly exemplified, is to focus on loving, healing, sheltering, sustaining, and providing a safe and hopeful environment for those with whose care we have been entrusted.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT ON COUNSELING AND OUR OPERATIONS:

It is the belief of the GOD'S HAVENS FOR CHILDREN organization that God is not limited in the way in which healing, including spiritual, psychological, and mental healing, takes place. He uses the gifts and talents that He has given to humankind in a variety of ways to achieve His purposes. Thus, we believe He may use counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and others as His instruments to achieve His goals. Because GHFC is a Christian organization, any of the above professionals who serve on behalf of GHFC will approach counseling from a Godly perspective, but will not be in a proselytizing role with our clients. Our faith teaches us that God is Omnipotent and Sovereign. He may choose to heal anyone at any instant, in any way, through any means. Thus, we believe that, though the Lord may choose an earthen vessel to either begin or achieve His healing of the innermost woundedness and brokenness, Jesus Christ reserves unto Himself the power to erase the pain and bruising and ". . . set at liberty them that are bruised" . We believe His love to be so great that it can overcome any hurt and any bondage without delay.

OPPORTUNITIES TO ASSIST:

Anyone wishing to help GHFC may do so in a variety of ways: first and foremost, by praying for its children, its mission, its leadership, its workers and its volunteers; by becoming a volunteer, a foster parent, a respite parent or a mentor; and by supporting the organization with a financial gift. All donations are gratefully accepted and are critical in helping to maintain the organization's non-profit status with the U.S. IRS. They may be mailed to the P.O. Box address below. A letter of receipt acknowledging the gift and for tax purposes will be mailed to the address provided.

 

GOD'S HAVENS FOR CHILDREN

Phone: (805) 772.4004 or Toll Free: 888.556.4432

MAIL: P.O. Box 13426 - San Luis Obispo CA 93406

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: 480 Monterey Avenue - Morro Bay CA 93406