Our History
Haven House Services was founded in 1973 to provide community-based services to at-risk youth and their families in Wake County. Haven House Services grew out of an incident in 1972 that illuminated the gaps in services for struggling young people in the community. Rev. Al Dimmock, a local pastor, was volunteering in juvenile court when the court faced the case of a young girl who could not go home, was not appropriate for training school, and had no other options.
This case compelled Rev. Dimmock to create a place of refuge for young people experiencing difficult circumstances. This place became Haven House Services, which was incorporated in 1973. Initially a group home for girls, a group home for boys followed in December 1975. From there, a natural evolution of services began:
- 1981 - Wrenn House crisis intervention and runaway shelter
- 1981 – Preparation for Independent Living, a program for homeless youth, 16-21 years old
- 1983 – Youth Enrichment Services, a one-on-one volunteer mentoring program
- 1984 – Homesteaders, intensive in-home counseling
- 1987 - Safe Place, a network of 200 county-wide locations to assist youth in crisis
- 2002 - MST, in-home counseling using Multi-Systemic Therapy
- 2003 – Restitution and Community Service allows court-involved youth to conduct community service
- 2003 – Street outreach for homeless youth
- 2005 – Second Round Boxing, a program that focuses on discipline, self-control and empowerment
- 2006 - Structured Day Program, a place for short-term suspended youth to be supervised and stay current with their schoolwork
Its wide range of services makes Haven House Services uniquely able to zero in on the source of trouble for a kid, then tailor an approach with the best chance for a turnaround. The success of this approach is evident in the high level of positive outcomes and low recidivism.
Haven House Services. A place for help, a reason for hope.