ABOUT US
Board of Directors
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Mike DeBoer
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Audrey Decker
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Karl Dykstra
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Michelle Langerak
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Kyle Tanis
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Sarah Windemuller
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Jane Woudenberg
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Tom VanderWoude
Who is HAVEN?
HAVEN is a 501(c)3 organization formed in 2021 by 30 men and women, married couples and individuals, from the PRCA. As our name indicates, HAVEN was organized both to help victims of abuse and provide education regarding the realities of abuse. Some of HAVEN’s members are themselves survivors of sexual or domestic abuse, some are family members of abuse victims, and others are those who have knowledge and understanding of abuse and desire to help those impacted by abuse.
What Does HAVEN Do?
HAVEN provides help. HAVEN provides help to abuse victims by coming alongside the victim to listen and provide compassionate understanding and hope. HAVEN provides the necessary biblical and practical guidance to victims in their healing from the trauma of abuse. While HAVEN does not offer mental or spiritual therapy in any professional sense, HAVEN is able to direct victims to necessary resources including Christian psychologists and counselors. HAVEN provides advocacy. Because the trauma of abuse often causes many victims to become voiceless, HAVEN provides knowledgeable, compassionate advocacy for abuse victims (Prov. 31:8-9). HAVEN’s advocates for sexual and domestic abuse are committed to working respectfully and positively with consistories in the PRCA as the need arises. Our advocates understand the importance of and agree to maintain confidentiality of victims. HAVEN provides education. In addition to helping victims, HAVEN seeks to provide education and support for family members and friends of sexual and domestic abuse victims. The impact of abuse reaches them too, as they must make sense of what happened or is happening to their loved one. For this, HAVEN offers encouragement and supplies resources to victim’s family and friends.
Why is Education So Important
HAVEN’s educational network is broader than immediate family members and friends. HAVEN also seeks to assist the PRCA in understanding abuse and trauma. To accomplish this HAVEN offers a wide collection of educational resources to the broader PRCA community, including our Protestant Reformed schools. These resources include education on the physical, mental, and spiritual impacts of abuse and trauma upon the victim; safeguards against abuse in the church and school; how a church family can respond to and care for victims; what God says about abuse in His Word, and much more. Through these educational resources, HAVEN seeks to shine the truth and light of the gospel of Christ and His redemption over against the deceit and darkness of the evil of sexual and domestic abuse.
How Can I Help?
• Join us as a volunteer, using your gifts to walk alongside survivors and educate the local community.
• Give, your financial support gives hope and a voice to victims, help to the church, and fosters a community of care. Monetary donations are instrumental in providing victims with the additional help they need and will also enable us to develop our educational resources.
• Stand with us in prayer, lifting up survivors and families in need of healing and protection.
Thank you for interest in helping HAVEN. Together, we can bring hope and healing to victims and build a church that reflects Christ’s love for the broken hearted.
HAVEN
PO Box 214
Grandville, MI 49468