‘Safe Haven' celebrates 10 years


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SALT LAKE CITY -- A Utah organization known as a place where the homeless with mental illness can take refuge marked its 10th anniversary Wednesday. Many have walked off the streets into the Safe Haven hoping to turn their lives around.

"I just saw myself as a pathetic, worthless piece of work and my only desire was to die," said Frederick Lee, who's writing a novel called "The Book of Life."

"My husband was killed right in front of me. My whole family is gone," Joyce Owens told us. She's witnessed more real life nightmares that you could possibly dream up on stage.

They're both here because Safe Haven gives them a place to live, to get their schizophrenia or other mental illnesses under control and see something they've never seen before.

***Safe Haven***- 310 clients have been housed at Safe Haven since it opened in 1999 - 69% male - 31% female - Approximately 85% of residents came directly from streets or shelters - Currently 73% have Social Security benefits; 17% have General Assistance

Safe Haven II (long term housing)

  • Housing provided for 47 clients since it opened in 2004
    • 63% male
    • 36% female
  • 30% of clients have lived at the facility since it opened
  • 25% have moved into community or other permanent housing
  • 12% passed away
  • 89% have transitioned from Safe Haven II
  • 100% have income

Clients pay 30% of income to rent

"There is hope at the end of the tunnel. I can see a light now. It's definitely a total 360," Lee said. "Right now, I'm taking my meds. I've been stabilized here for two years." "This is, out of my wildest dreams I never dreamed this could happen to me," Owens said.

Wednesday was Safe Haven's 10-year anniversary and a milestone for Valley Mental Health. More than 300 people, mostly from the streets, have walked through their doors; many have been in the newer Safe Haven II since it opened five years ago.

One hundred percent of those who've moved on to Safe Haven II now have incomes of their own, and 25 percent of those folks have moved back into the community or other permanent housing.

Though the numbers could be better, Safe Haven is considered one of the best of its kind in the country. "I think the reason for that is because we have been able to forge relationships with these people and gain their trust," said Mitzy Stewart, nurse practitioner at Valley Mental Health.

Inside these walls, a little dignity and worth go a long way. Those working in Safe Haven consider remaining homeless on the street as a form of institutionalization.

E-mail: eyeates@ksl.com

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Ed Yeates

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