EnVision Center Initiation Post Press Conference
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Names A Safe Haven Foundation As The Exclusive EnVision Center Demonstration Project for Chicago
(L-R) Renee Oshinski, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Joseph P. Galvan, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Neli Vazquez Rowland, A Safe Haven Foundation; Alderman Joe Moore; José R Alvarez, Chicago Housing Authority; Martin Cabrera Jr., Chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission
Chicago, IL – On Thursday, June 28, 2018, Neli Vazquez Rowland, President of A Safe Haven Foundation (ASHF) and Joseph P. Galvan, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Midwest Regional Office, held a Press Conference at ASHF flagship location at 2750 West Roosevelt Road, to formally announce A Safe Haven’s Inaugural EnVision Center Demonstration Project. A Safe Haven Foundation was selected and honored by Benjamin S. Carson, Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, to spearhead the EnVision Centers Demonstration in Chicago.
The EnVision Center is premised on the notion that intentional and collective efforts across a diverse set of organizations are needed to implement a holistic approach to foster long-lasting self-sufficiency for low-income residents. EnVision Centers will provide communities with a centralized hub, where local, regional, state, and over 20 interagency federal agencies will work in collaboration to provide optimal support in the following four pillars: (1) Economic Empowerment, (2) Educational Advancement, (3) Health and Wellness, and (4) Character and Leadership. Cutting-edge, “think outside the box” solutions are highly encouraged.
Rowland and Galvan were joined by Jose Alvarez, Chief Operating Officer of the Chicago Housing Authority; Alderman Joe Moore, and Chicago City Council Housing Chair; Renee Oshinski, Network Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, and Martin Cabrera Jr., Chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission. They convened to kick off the A Safe Haven Foundation EnVision Center Demonstration Project.
EnVision Center will support HUD’s four key pillars of self-sufficiency (economic empowerment, educational advancement, health and wellness, character and leadership); and serve as the model in the city, state, and nation for assisting current HUD program recipients, and others living with similar social and economic circumstances, to become sustainably self-sufficient. Clients will have ready access to a comprehensive range of services and the ASHF EnVision Center will be uniquely positioned to coordinate referrals and provide immediate and long-term resources. A Safe Haven now has a new, robust tool to provide multidimensional support, bringing visible social and economic impact to families, stabilizing neighborhoods and creating vibrant, viable communities.
“We strive for success for each individual, even when others couldn’t see it and they couldn’t see it in themselves. We look forward to sharing stories of what’s possible when federal, state, and local agencies work together in a way that will produce real metrics and real stories that will lead the nation in showing how it can be done.” – Neli Vazquez Rowland, President, A Safe Haven Foundation
“We will develop the key tools to track and measure resident outcome. What is the success? What are the metrics? This is why we partnered with A Safe Haven Foundation, because Neli can get it done. It is the responsibility of all to lend a helping hand, our nations incredible families deserve nothing less.” – Joseph P. Galvan, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Midwest Regional Office
“I love that HUD is furthering all the things that A Safe Haven Foundation currently does for individuals throughout the community. I feel blessed to have such an incredible partner and look forward to working with everyone to take us ahead.” – Renee Oshinski, Network Director of VISN of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
“A roof over a head does not end homelessness, we need to address mental health, keeping a job and a range of issues that cause people to become homeless. A Safe Haven gets it. All you have to do is walk these halls and see their work, God’s work, taking place right here in this building and anywhere they have facilities.” – Joe Moore, 49th Ward Alderman
“On behalf of the 47,000 families we serve through our welfare program, we welcome the opportunity to be part of EnVision Centers and to collaborate with local, state and other agencies.” – Jose Alvarez, Chief Operating Officer of the Chicago Housing Authority
“We know how important organizations like A Safe Haven Foundation are. We are grateful that HUD saw the talent in the city of Chicago and is bringing more talents and resources here.” – Martin Cabrera Jr., Chairman of the Chicago Plan Commission