Make An Impact

FOUNDING STORY

The JFM H.A.V.E.N. Foundation was born from lived experience, not theory. Founded by someone who spent their entire life from age 11 experiencing homelessness, surviving the streets across 36 states, and navigating every broken system designed to "help" vulnerable youth, this foundation represents a fundamental shift in how we approach youth homelessness.

This isn't about outsiders trying to fix a problem they've only studied. This is about someone who knows exactly what it's like to be terrified, alone, and failed by every agency that claimed to care. Someone who is STILL fighting through homelessness while building something that will actually make a difference.

The Statistics:

• 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness annually in America
• 700,000 are unaccompanied minors with no one looking out for them
• 70% of homeless youth leave home to escape pain and suffering
• 60% come from the foster care system and are kicked out at age 18
• 75% become victims of crime within their first year on the streets
• Nearly 50% of female homeless youth have been sexually assaulted
• 70% of youth on the streets eventually become victims of commercial sexual exploitation

The Reality: These aren't just numbers. These are children making impossible choices between abusive homes and dangerous streets. These are teenagers who escaped one nightmare only to face predators, trafficking, starvation, and violence. These are young people who fell through every crack in systems that were supposed to protect them.

Easy Giving, Real Impact

Every book sold, every piece of fashion purchased - 15% goes directly to the foundation. Customers don't have to do anything extra. They get something beautiful and meaningful, and they're automatically making a difference. This removes all barriers to giving.

No More Empty Promises

Too many agencies claim to help but do nothing except line their pockets. We've seen it firsthand - organizations pulling in massive grants while giving homeless people a single pair of socks for sharing their trauma. The JFM Haven Foundation will operate with complete transparency and accountability.

Survivor-Led Solutions

Programs designed by people who've lived this experience, not outsiders who read about it in a textbook. We know what works because we know what we needed and never got.

Beyond Band-Aids

We're not interested in temporary fixes. This is about creating comprehensive, long-term solutions that actually break cycles of homelessness and trauma.

Large-Scale Haven Buildings

Unlike the small, inadequate youth shelters currently available, JFM Haven will create large-scale facilities appropriate for the needs of major cities. These buildings will provide:

• Safe Space: First and foremost, getting kids off the streets immediately
• No Questions Asked: It doesn't matter what your story is, where you come from, or what happened - we are there to help
• Adequate Capacity: Enough space to actually serve the population that needs help
• Trauma-Informed Environment: Designed by people who understand what safety actually means to someone who's never felt it

Core Services:

• Emergency shelter and housing
• Food security
• Medical care
• Mental health services
• Clothing and basic necessities
• Case management

Alternative Education Program

Traditional schooling has value, but homeless youth need more than algebra to survive and thrive. Our education programs will include:

Academic Basics:

• Math, reading, writing (the essentials)
• GED preparation
• College preparation for those who want it

Life Skills That Actually Matter:

• Financial literacy from the ground up
• How to save money
• Multiple income streams and enterprise options
• Practical job skills and training
• How to maintain a home
• Cooking, budgeting, time management
• Understanding and avoiding predatory systems
• Self-reliance and problem-solving

The Core Message:You are NOT helpless. When you feel safe, you can do so much more.

Dignity Through Contribution

For younger kids not old enough for traditional employment, we'll create a community-based token system:

How It Works:

• Local businesses purchase token packs (example: $5 = 50 tokens)
• Kids can perform age-appropriate chores: sweeping sidewalks, washing windows, organizing, light cleaning
• Kids earn tokens for completed tasks
• Tokens can be redeemed at participating businesses for goods and services

Why This Matters:

• Teaches work-reward cycles without exploitation
• Builds self-reliance and pride in good work done
• Gives children agency and purpose
• Creates community investment in youth success
• Provides proper parental-style guidance through positive reinforcement

This is NOT child labor - these are simple chores that teach responsibility, just like household chores would with proper parenting.

Long-Term Housing Solution

For older youth (16-24) who are ready for more independence:

The Village:

• Actual tiny homes on dedicated land
• Complete streets and community infrastructure
• Each youth has their own space
• Learn real responsibilities of homeownership
• Zero cost to residents while in program

Program Structure:

• Teaches property maintenance
• Builds life skills in real-world setting
• Creates stable community environment
• Provides stepping stone to full independence
• Support services remain available
• No forced exit at arbitrary age

Age Range: 16-24

Unlike foster care that kicks kids out at 18, we recognize that development continues into the mid-20s. We're there for the entire transition to stable adulthood.

The Problem with Foster Care:

• 60% of homeless youth come from the foster care system
• 1 in 3 become homeless when they age out at 18
• System is broken and often causes more harm
• Children become case numbers, not humans

Our Alternative:

JFM Haven aims to keep kids OUT of the foster care system by providing comprehensive support that gives them stability, skills, and genuine care without the trauma of being passed through a broken system.

Prevention Through Purpose

Our approach starts with prevention by giving kids something to protect: a home, a community, dignity, purpose.

When Intervention Is Needed:

• Professional support for detox and immediate crisis
• BUT - rejection of conventional methods that just substitute one substance for another
• No over-medication to numb feelings
• Teaching emotional awareness: "If you're sad, why are you sad?"
• Understanding that altering who you are comes with consequences
• Core message: YOU are more important than any substance

Survivor Credibility: When someone who lived on the streets, who knows exactly what those choices look like and where they lead, delivers this message - it carries weight no textbook-trained counselor can match.

LGBTQ+ Youth: Who face family rejection and are disproportionately represented in homeless populations

Native American Youth: Facing systemic oppression, poverty, and suicide rates on reservations

Trafficking Survivors: 70% of homeless youth become victims - we provide escape and recovery

Foster Care Exits: Catching those being kicked out at 18 with nowhere to go

Abuse Survivors: All types - sexual, physical, emotional, neglect

Runaways: Who made the impossible choice to leave rather than stay in danger

• Regular public reporting on all funds and their use
• Clear documentation of outcomes and impact
• Open books policy

• Not beholden to agencies that have failed these populations
• Freedom to innovate and implement what actually works
• Survivor-led decision making

• Starting local, building proven models
• Replicable across cities and states
• Sustainable funding through social enterprise

• Addressing immediate needs AND long-term stability
• Physical safety + emotional healing + practical skills + community
• Nothing in isolation - everything connected

Social Enterprise:

• 15% of all book sales → Foundation
• 15% of all fashion sales → Foundation
• Easy giving - customers support just by choosing our products

Traditional Fundraising:

• Individual donations
• Corporate partnerships
• Grant applications (once 501(c)(3) status obtained)
• Community fundraising events

Future Revenue:

• Consulting for other organizations
• Speaking engagements
• Program replication licensing

1. Legal Structure
    
   • Obtain trademark
   • File for 501(c)(3) status
   • Establish board of directors

1. Initial Operations
    
   • Launch fashion and book sales
   • Generate first foundation funding
   • Build community awareness

1. Program Development
    
   • Pilot community token system in one location
   • Establish first shelter partnerships
   • Begin curriculum development

1. Founder Stability
    
   • Get founder out of car and into stable housing
   • This isn't optional - you can't pour from an empty cup

1. First Haven Building
    
   • Secure property
   • Renovate/build to specifications
   • Open doors to first residents

1. Education Programs
    
   • Launch alternative education curriculum
   • Establish business partnerships for token system
   • Begin vocational training programs

1. Community Building
    
   • Expand to multiple locations
   • Build volunteer network
   • Establish mentorship programs

1. Tiny Home Village
    
   • Acquire land
   • Build first village
   • Establish sustainable operations model

1. National Expansion
    
   • Replicate successful models in other cities
   • Create franchise/partnership opportunities
   • Influence policy and systemic change

1. System Alternative
    
   • Become recognized alternative to foster care
   • Partner with child welfare on prevention
   • Demonstrate superior outcomes

Lived Experience: Every program comes from someone who knows exactly what homeless youth need because they were one.

Comprehensive Approach: Not just shelter, not just food - everything from immediate safety to long-term stability and purpose.

Community Investment: The token system creates stakeholders in local communities who are invested in youth success.

Real Skills: Teaching what actually matters for survival and success, not just arbitrary school curriculum.

Age Appropriate: Programs that meet kids where they are and grow with them through age 24.

Transparency: No one wondering where money goes or if it's really helping.

Built Different: Not another agency with bureaucracy and empty promises - this is grassroots, survivor-led, and accountable.

"I swear I'm not going to spend another winter in my car. When this launches, the money will roll in and I'll be in a hotel room at minimum all winter long. But more importantly - no child will have to spend another winter like I did. No teenager will have to make the choice between abuse and the streets. No young adult will be thrown away by a system at 18 and left to die.

I've been homeless my entire life since I was 11 years old. I know this world. I know what doesn't work. And now I'm building what DOES work.

This is happening. I'm launching Monday. And everything changes from there."

Immediate Actions:

• Finalize trademark application
• Complete 501(c)(3) paperwork with this vision document
• Launch sales platforms
• Begin building awareness

For Supporters:

• Purchase fashion or books (easiest way to help)
• Share the mission
• Connect us with resources
• Join as volunteers or mentors when programs launch
• Invest in the vision with direct donations

For Youth in Need:

• You are not helpless
• You are not alone
• Help is coming
• We understand because we've been there

The JFM H.A.V.E.N. Foundation: Because every child deserves safety, every teen deserves a chance, and every young adult deserves the opportunity to heal and build a life beyond trauma.

HAVEN - Helping Adolescents Validate Every Need Where lived experience meets real solutions