The Haven Sanctuary for Women, an organization geared toward helping women with no permanent housing get back on their feet, is hosting a bag-filling event Thursday at the Clark Pleasant branch of the Johnson County Public Library.
“Crafting for a Cause” will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday. This event the most recent of this series that has been happening for the past few years, Clark Pleasant branch children’s librarian Sue Salamone said in an email.
“The Crafting for a Cause events are great ways for individuals and families to give back to the community,” Salamone said. “During periods of hardship, Haven Sanctuary offers a level of stability while women meet the needs of their families and plan the next steps in their lives towards self-sufficiency.”
During the event, people will fill bags with toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, combs, nail kits, tissues and hand sanitizer for women who come to the Haven. Previous Crafting for a Cause events have included Busy Bags for caregivers and their children who visit the Women, Infants and Children program, fidget mats for seniors with dementia and two crafts projects making flannel blankets and dog toys for the Johnson County Humane Society.
Executive Director Carol Naragon founded the Haven Sanctuary for Women 13 years ago during a time she was going through a divorce. Even though she didn’t have issues with housing, she knew many women separating from their husband or boyfriend may have nowhere to turn go, Naragon said.
Naragon said the Haven is not a lockdown facility, meaning women who are actively leaving a dangerous person should turn to The Julian Center in Indianapolis.
Not all women helped by the Haven live at its facility. The organization also helps women who are living elsewhere, such as with money for car repairs, helping them get a ride with Access Johnson County or buying them gas gift cards, she said.
“We have a transitional housing facility girls stay at for up to two years,” Naragon said. “The girls pay a little to live with us, but at the end, if they graduate the program, we pay the money back for a down payment on an apartment or wherever they move when they leave the facility. We require them to have a job, and the Dave Ramsey ‘Financial Peace’ program teaches them to budget their money. We offer counseling, life coaching and childcare vouchers. Our one goal is for them to be off government assistance when they leave our facility.”
