Building Dignity

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1-603-994-SAFE (7233)
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Main Office

20 International Drive, Suite 300 Portsmouth, NH 03801
Business Line: 1-603-436-4107
In-person advocacy is by appointment only.

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Click "Chat Now" to talk with a confidential advocate Monday- Friday│9 am- 4 pm

For 46 years, HAVEN has answered the call—24 hours a day, 365 days a year—for survivors in crisis. But we have never had a home of our own. Instead, staff have done life-saving work in rented, makeshift spaces never designed for the complexity, privacy, and dignity survivors deserve. Today, with demand growing and too many families turned away, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change that.

Now is the moment to build something better: a permanent, purpose-built home where survivors can find safety, healing, and hope under one roof. A place that brings HAVEN out of the shadows and into a visible, welcoming space for all who need us—your neighbors, your community. With your support, the Building Dignity campaign will create that future.

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Why this matters — and why now

The Building Dignity campaign will create a permanent, purpose-built home for HAVEN: a safe, welcoming, and accessible space where survivors can find refuge, families can stay together, and healing can begin in an environment designed with intention. By bringing shelter, services, education, and community partnerships under one roof, HAVEN can expand its reach, strengthen its impact, and meet the growing needs of our region today and for generations to come.

This is more than a building project. It is a chance to break the cycle of violence—by supporting survivors now and investing in prevention for the future.

The need is urgent. The opportunity is real. And with community support, this is the moment to build something that will change lives.

Seven family-style transitional units — private bathrooms, kitchenettes, community space — providing 7,000 safe nights a year, twice today's capacity.

For the first time, HAVEN's shelter, programs, staff, and volunteers operate together in one purpose-built space.

Dedicated education space to grow our team and reach 20,000+ young people a year, teaching consent and healthy boundaries before violence begins.

Moving from hidden locations to a prominent Route 1 site tells every survivor: you deserve community support, not secrecy.

Alongside 44 affordable workforce apartments and community childcare, this campus strengthens the whole region.

Today

Shelter

4 cramped units in a rented building

prevention

13,500 students reached; long waitlists

programs

Scattered across multiple rentals

presence

Hidden locations, by necessity

With your gift

7 family-style units — 7,000 safe nights a year

20,000+ students a year with a second educator team

3 floors of centralized, accessible space

A proud, visible home on Route 1

"My sister, mom, and I shared a bed in the shelter when I was 3. I'm so grateful that HAVEN was my mom's rock when she needed it."

— Brenton Ciccotelli, HAVEN Volunteer Advocate

How we'll get there

PHASE 1 — Essential infrastructure (complete Summer 2027)

The $8 million campaign goal funds Phase 1: purchasing the property and constructing the building addition — seven transitional housing units, first-floor offices and program space, a multipurpose training room, private counseling and legal-prep rooms, shell space for a future childcare partner, and the core infrastructure for the whole campus. Phase 1 lets HAVEN leave costly rentals behind and serve more families immediately.

PHASE 2 — Full build-out

Once Phase 1 campaign is completed, this will allow us to complete the second floor offices, meeting spaces, and exterior upgrades.

Questions about giving?

Alexandra Horne
Capital Campaign Manager
alexandra@havennh.org
603-436-4107 x102

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY

Donate

Transitional Housing Wing	$500,000	Available
Welcome Lobby	$250,000	Available
Youth Center	$250,000	Available
Training & Conference Center	$100,000	Available
Education & Collaboration Space	$100,000	Available
Board Room	$100,000	Available
Executive Director Suite	$100,000	Available
Children’s Playroom I & II	$50,000	Available
Support Group Lounge	$50,000	Available
Client Consultation Room	$50,000	Available
Housing Consultation Room	$50,000	Available

All donors are recognized on our donor wall unless anonymity is requested.

Campaign leadership

Honorary Chair: Hon. Martha Fuller Clark, NH State Senator

Steering Committee: Lauren Atwood, Elizabeth Bauman, Jayne Begala, Mary Jo Brown, Jenifer Cannon, Andi Creeley, Andrea Daly, Kristina Goumas, Deb Iwanicki, Sandra Jalbert, Aaron Jenkyn, Vanessa McElroy, Jennifer Meconi, Lara Prescott, Amy Sterndale, Lori Waltz, Sarah Welch, Margaret Witherspoon.

HAVEN Leadership: Kathy Beebe, Executive Director · Alexandra Horne, Capital Campaign Manager · Nora Happny McMorran, Volunteer & Marketing Manager · Suzanne Scharff, Development & Events Manager.

Frequently asked questions

When will construction begin?

Groundbreaking is Spring 2026, with Phase 1 complete by Summer 2027.

Why Route 1 in Portsmouth?

This visible, accessible location on a major transit corridor ensures survivors can reach us easily — and signals a community-wide commitment to ending violence.

What happens to current facilities?

HAVEN operates from current locations until the new building opens, then moves all services to the campus. The Rochester office remains, serving the Strafford community.

How do you keep survivors safe with a visible location?

The building is designed with secure entry systems, separate confidential spaces, and safety protocols that protect privacy while welcoming the community.

Can I tour the site?

Site tours are available for major donors and steering committee members. Contact us to schedule.

Can I pledge over multiple years?

Yes — multi-year pledges (1–5 years) help us plan and are warmly welcomed.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes. HAVEN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tax ID 02-0337620.

When we come together, no survivor stands alone

A permanent home for HAVEN puts healing and safety within reach — for the family fleeing tonight, and for the child who, years from now, learns what a healthy relationship looks like before anyone teaches them otherwise.

Your gift today creates safe shelter for families fleeing violence, prevention education that stops violence before it starts, around-the-clock crisis support, and a visible symbol of hope for the entire Seacoast.

Every gift matters. Every gift builds dignity.

For More Information

For more information: info@havennh.org
Development: development@havennh.org
Outreach: outreach@havennh.org
Volunteer: volunteer@havennh.org
Education: education@havennh.org

CHAT WITH AN ADVOCATE

Not safe to call or would you like increased privacy and anonymity? HAVEN offers a confidential private chat feature Mondays through Fridays from 9am-4pm. *Weekends and holidays excluded.

24-Hour Support Line

Main Office

Chat with an Advocate