Rochester Rotary Donates $2,000 to HAVEN

HAVEN – Oakland County Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Center

Rochester Rotary Donates $2,000 to HAVEN

The Rochester Rotary Club’s charity organization, Rochester Rotary Charities, known for its support of local non-profits, started 2019 with a big statement. For its first donation of the year, they selected HAVEN, an Oakland County Resource for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault based in Pontiac.

Blanca Fauble, HAVEN’s Director of Development, was present at the club’s weekly lunch meeting to receive the contribution and returned a week later to give a longer presentation on their programs.

“Domestic abuse and sexual assault get a lot of media attention, but it so often happens behind closed doors so it’s hard for the average person to know how to help,” said Rochester Charities President, Alan McLellan of McLellan Financial Mortgage. “The team at HAVEN offer an incredible resource, not only to shelter those in crisis, but to help them get back on their feet through counseling, advocacy in the legal system, and ongoing support groups. It’s painful to know that people are suffering like this so we’re grateful for HAVEN’s work and proud to support them in their mission to end that suffering.”

Rochester Rotary is one of 34,000 member clubs of Rotary International

HAVEN’s mission is to eliminate domestic violence and sexual assault across Oakland County and the surrounding communities by empowering survivors through advocacy and social change. And HAVEN is more than a shelter. They help over 30,000 people each year through their 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, medical forensic exams, counseling, court advocacy, and prevention education.

“We at HAVEN are grateful to The Rochester Rotary Club for inviting HAVEN to share our mission and information on the comprehensives services and programs we provide to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault community,” said Ms. Fauble. “The welcome was overwhelming and much appreciated. And the generous grant will be used to support HAVEN’s organic garden that produces over 2,500 lbs. of produce every year, which is used to serve our emergency shelter clients and offsets HAVEN’s food expenses. HAVEN is able to provide all free services because of community partners and donors like the Rochester Rotary Club. Thank you Rotarians for your support.”