Our Champions

In 1974, The Junior League of Raleigh took a chance on a brand new community organization. They gave Haven House a $20,000 grant “for the purpose of making structural modifications, repairing, renovating, equipping, and furnishing” our first group home for girls located on Horne Street in Raleigh. The grant contract was signed by then Junior League President, Barbara H. Poole.

Over the past five decades, The Junior League of Raleigh and its members have had a tremendous impact on Haven House and the youth and families that we serve. Many members have served on our board of directors (including two current members) and leadership committees. Members have helped us plan our special events, provided much-needed volunteer support, and rallied to collect needed items for our youth and families. In addition, over the years, Haven House has been the recipient of several Junior League grants.

“The organization believed in Haven House’s mission right from the start, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without their support,” said Michelle Zechmann, CEO of Haven House Services.

“We are so grateful to all of their members who have volunteered with us during the past 50 years.”

“The Junior League of Raleigh is honored to be inducted into the Hall of Champions!” said Dr. Paulette J. Evans, President of the Junior League of Raleigh. “We have always believed in the mission of Haven House Services and look forward to continuing this fruitful partnership for many decades to come. Together, we can build a safe, supported, successful community!”

For over a decade Poyner Spruill has been involved in Haven House. It began with them simply answering every plea for needed in-kind donations. Their involvement has increased to the point they are now one of Haven House’s most steadfast supporters, continuing to provide in-kind support but also volunteering and providing financial support. In addition to consistently being a named sponsor of events, they also share their legal expertise when needed.

In 2016, Poyner Spruill challenged Parker Poe to a friendly competition to raise funds for Haven House’s fall annual campaign. Together, the firms raised $2,815 (Poyner Spruill won) and “The Law Firm Challenge” was born. The next year, three firms competed. Then, there were four. Fast forward to 2022, where seven law firms competed, raising $45,967. In total since 2016, “The Law Firm Challenge” has raised more than $175,000 to help the youth and families Haven House serves.

“We had no idea seven years ago that we were starting something that would grow into what it is today,” said Nina Long, Director of Human Resources at Poyner Spruill and long-time Haven House board member. “It is such a fun, easy way to tap into the competitive nature of the legal field to raise life-changing money.”

“The consistent support of Poyner Spruill makes them an invaluable partner, and we are so grateful to have Poyner Spruill on our team,” said Michelle Zechmann, CEO of Haven House Services. “They truly have a heart for what we do and are always willing to step up to help in whatever way they can.”

F3 started in 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina and has grown to more than 46 states and 3,400+ scheduled workouts each week through the efforts of men whose lives have been changed by their involvement with F3. The three F’s in the name stand for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith — the last of which we define as simply a belief in something bigger than yourself. There are dozens of free F3 workouts across the Triangle area everyday.

“F3 became involved with Haven House several years ago through volunteering and supporting our Second Round after-school boxing and fitness program,” said Michelle Zechmann, CEO of Haven House Services. “Over the past few years, their involvement in Haven House has grown significantly, and they are now a critical component of our volunteer-led annual campaign efforts to help local youth in need.”

F3 volunteers recently helped us move our entire Essentials Pantry to a bigger room in our facility. Past F3 volunteers have helped us complete projects that required “handy help” like installing shelving or building furniture. Volunteers have hosted holiday dinners for youth and their families in Second Round, collected needed clothing, food, and hygiene items, and much, much more.

“The Men of F3 Raleigh and F3 Carpex continue to step up in big ways to support Haven House. They have given their time, treasure, and even some blood and sweat through Second Round, all in support of the organization,” said Jason Grooters, former Haven House board member and member of F3 Raleigh. “In F3 they often answer each other with an “Aye,” so to the men of F3 Nation in the Triangle today we say to you, “Aye!”

Mike Rieder served as the Executive Director at Haven House Services for an incredible 32 years, from 1977 to 2009. Under Mike’s leadership Haven House Services grew from a small service nonprofit into a well-respected, effective, and responsive community-based organization that has changed the lives of tens of thousands of Wake County youth. Mike is known for his ability to develop innovative solutions in response to community needs. In his time at Haven House, he led the creation of seven new programs to fill gaps in Wake County’s continuum of services for youth and their families so that our youth would have a better shot at being successful. Mike is a strong and vocal advocate in our community, our state, and across the country. His tireless and innovative work has been recognized many times over at the state and national levels. He has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Network for Youth, the Outstanding Service Award from the North Carolina Juvenile Services Association, Outstanding Safe Place Administrator from the National Safe Place Network, and the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed by the Governor on an individual in North Carolina.

Nina Long is one of our most generous and steadfast champions for the youth and families supported by Haven House Services. Nina served on our Board of Directors from 2010-2019, returned to the Board in 2020, and has served in a number of leadership positions across multiple committees including Human Resources, Board Development, and Resource Development. Nina provided exceptional leadership as our Board Chair from 2016 to 2018. In this role, she led Haven House through an organizational transformation process to build the capacity, leadership, resources, and connections that the agency will need to expand its impact and lay the foundation for long-term growth and sustainability. This included providing leadership for a long-term strategic planning process, the development of Haven House’s first resource development department and team, and the restructuring of the agency to better leverage leadership and resources. Nina is a tireless advocate for Haven House Services. From leading coat drives to connecting the agency to community leaders to talking to funders, she has been a backbone of support and strength for Haven House for more than a decade.