Living at Haven: Inside the shelter agreements that make it work (part one)
What’s it like to stay at The Barnard Center as a shelter resident? In this series, we’re pulling back the curtain on the agreements between Haven and residents; in this case, the agreements that outline how we all keep the shelter building clean.
Haven’s shelter operates as an “independent living environment,” where residents manage their own meals, hygiene, and overall well-being.
To keep the shelter clean and liveable for everyone, our shelter agreement says:
“We need your help to do this.”
Residents agree to:
clean up after themselves and their children
contribute to keeping common areas clean
maintain a safe and healthy shelter environment
Haven agrees to:
professionally clean the shelter building every other week (we have an on-staff custodian who does this)
connect residents with resources that can help meet basic needs (food, hygiene, transportation - we are near a bus stop)
do our best to accommodate residents’ needs, and to try to address any problems/violations of agreements with a resident before terminating their eligibility for shelter
Communal living can have its challenges. Haven’s shelter agreements both try to address those challenges, and help us create a supportive environment where residents can focus on healing and rebuilding their lives. If you’d like to learn more about these shelter agreements, follow this series throughout the early part of 2025, and if you’d like to support our work, click here.