Darvella Purdom

Bethlehem Haven

Bethlehem Haven is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization providing a number of services including emergency shelter; permanent supportive housing; meals; medical and mental health services to women in the Pittsburgh area. The Haven was founded in 1981 was founded in the basement of the Smithfield United Church in downtown Pittsburgh in response to a growing need for emergency shelter for homeless women. Recognizing that the original focus of "crisis intervention" was insufficient to address the multiple issues confronting the growing number of homeless, Bethlehem Haven expanded services to include a range of housing options from emergency shelter to rapid re-housing to permanent supportive housing. Onsite supportive services help each woman to identify her needs and work together with our staff toward successful outcomes. Bethlehem Haven employs a "Housing First" model of care recognizing that everyone deserves housing in our community regardless of their addictions, mental health, disability or criminal history. Bethlehem Haven employs this practice in all residential and shelter programming. Knowing that 94% of those we serve are homeless as a result of an abusive situation or violence, Bethlehem Haven integrates a trauma-informed approach to its care and is seeking to formally institute a Sanctuary Model of Care. For the last 37 years, Bethlehem Haven has provided nearly 13,000 nights of shelter, every night, and the need continues to grow. Each year, the Haven provides nearly 60,000 meals; sees around 600 men and women in the health and wellness clinic; and provides emergency shelter to nearly 500 women; and fills countless physical and emotional needs for our residents. Our core values are Hospitality, Compassion, Integrity, and Empowerment.