Haven House Juneau is more than helping incarcerated women transitioning out of prison and back to the streets — it’s about breaking through barriers.
That is the message Kara Nelson, Program Director at Haven House, hopes will be relayed during the Haven House Fundraiser at the Juneau Arts &Culture Center Thursday.
Haven House is a faith-based recovery and reentry residence in Juneau with a support program. Residents agree to participate in programs to support long-term recovery and reentry into their communities. Haven House also helps those who do not reside at the house as gathering place for those in recovery and reentry.
The event, presented by Capital Blend, is the first fundraiser for Haven House since it opened in March 2015. All proceeds will benefit Haven House and there will be a live performance from Capital Blend — a band comprised of Alaska legislators.
Nelson explained the event came together after Senate President Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, gave her a phone call about setting up a fundraising event.
“It is hard to be sustainable without something like this,” Nelson said. “It really is a blessing and a miracle.”
Nelson said events like this may help stop stigmas that women who have been incarcerated cannot be helped.
“It feels like women who are incarcerated are set up to fail,” Nelson said. “We wonder why that it is and we are working on it. Sometimes those closest to the problem can be the solution.”
Nelson said when Haven House first opened, it felt backlash from the community, but has since become part of it. While grants from organizations have helped along the way, Nelson said it really is the people of the area who have contributed to keeping Haven House active.
“Half of our budget comes from the community,” Nelson said referring to statewide donations. “We have received great support.”
The other half of funding comes from various grants, Nelson said.
With that support, Nelson said, women who have utilized the facility are being helped. According to Nelson, 29 women — including current residents — have used the program in its three years. Only one woman has had new charges against her, which came after graduating from Haven House.
“We want to bring dignity to these women,” Nelson said. “People are going through recovery and are reentering the community.”
Nelson wants people to know, inside and outside of Haven House, that everyone is the same.
“We are the community,” Nelson said. “We are all Alaskans.”
Know &Go
Where: Juneau Arts &Culture Center, 350 Whittier St
Day/hours: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Tickets: Donations
More info: For tickets and information on the information on the event, visit Haven House’s Facebook page.
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.
In this March 2016 photo, Director Kara Nelson, left, offers her support to resident Daricka Clark after a group dinner at Haven House on Tuesday. Haven House is celebrating their one year annversary as a transitional home for recently released female prisoners or women coming out of substance abuse treatment. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
