Advocate praises Haven House work with HIV
patients
By Kevin Walters, kwalters@hattiesb.gannett.com
Hattiesburg American Staff Writer
The executive director of a national homeless coalition said
Tuesday he was impressed with Hattiesburg's 1-2-1 Haven House
and wants to help the group home find more grant funding.
"We can certainly work with them and try to help them
navigate the application process and get them into contact
with grant writers and experts," said Brad Paul, 37,
executive director of the National Policy and Advocacy
Council on Homelessness.
The privately funded Washington, D.C.-based organization
works to help end homelessness through advocacy and
education. Around 3.5 million people experience homelessness
each year, according to Paul.
Paul toured the home at 121 College St. Tuesday with board
members and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree.
1-2-1 Haven House, which offers housing for those afflicted
with HIV/AIDS and have no place to live, is the third group
home in the state.
Establishing the home was the dream of its late program
director, Bruce Van Nostrand, who died of a heart attack in
March. His friends and loved ones said they want to carry on
in his memory by trying to find more funds for the home and
more residents.
"It's taken all of us to try to do what Bruce
spearheaded," said Ben Carmichael, an AIDS Services
Coalition board member and friend of Van Nostrand.
The home has an annual budget of $139,642, which includes
funds for three staff members. It has space for 10 people but
only three residents are currently living there.
"To get some more residents in will make a bigger impact
on the community," said Jan Van Nostrand, Van Nostrand's
widow.
Originally published Wednesday, July 7, 2004
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/news/stories/20040707/localnews/797015.html