Haven Ministries Hosts 3rd Annual Beef, Bonfires & Cigars

Haven Ministries Hosts 3rd Annual Beef, Bonfires & Cigars

Haven Ministries Hosts 3rd Annual Beef, Bonfires & Cigars

The 3rd Annual Beef, Bonfires & Cigars to benefit Haven Ministries will be held on November 2, 2019, from 6 to 9 p.m.  Once again, the event will be held at the beautiful Wye River Conference Center, 600 Aspen Drive in Queenstown.  It is an evening filled with food tastings and from local restaurants including The Narrows, Harris Crab House, Fisherman’s Inn, Chesapeake Chef Services, Range & Reef, Capriotti’s, Smoke Rattle and Roll, Bridges and Chef/ Author Vicky Mullaney, to name a few.  Beverage samples will be provided from The Winery, Lyons Distillery, and will include a cash bar with signature drinks.  Live music from John Frase and Forrest Anderson (formally of Hot Tub Limo), a Live and Silent Auction, a Prize Wheel, cars from Maserati and Alpha Romeo, boats from Annapolis Boat Sales, cigars from Port of Call and lit fireplaces throughout the venue will enhance the evening.  Various vendors will have items for purchase to jump-start holiday shopping.  The host sponsor of this year’s event is PNC Bank. 

Plan on spending the night at this stunning Four-Star Resort.  There are limited rooms available and reservations are being accepted directly at the Wye Conference Center.  You can also find a direct link to the hotel on the Haven Ministries web site under the Events tab.

Haven Ministries Business Partners include Diamond Level Sponsors: Island Furniture Studio, Increte, and BAAR. Sapphire Level Sponsors: The Bay Times, The Wye River Conference Center, What’s Up Media, and PNC Bank. Platinum Level Sponsors: Construction Services and Supply, The Roof Center, Safe at Home Senior Care, and Prospect Bay Country Club. Gold Level Sponsors: Harris Crab House, Riley Custom Homes, Swan Cove Salon, The Narrows, Waterman Realty, Homeland Title & Escrow, Hemingway’s Restaurant, Rang & Reef, and The Shore Update. Silver Level Sponsors: Chesapeake Hearing Center, Holiday Inn Express, Island Dental Studio, Lundberg Builders, Island Flooring, McCrone, Realty Navigator, Shore United Bank, US Healthcare, Rotary Kent Island, Serr.Biz, LLC, Rodan & Fields (Ann Allen), and Shore Sign. Bronze Level Sponsors: Chesapeake Chef Services, Blue Heron Catering, Chesa Del Crier, Capriotti’s (Chester), Joseph W. McCartin Insurance, Computer Island, Island Athletic, Island Athletic, Legal Shield, Maid Healthy, Rodan & Fields (Debi Ensor), Cari Healy Hair, Linda Prochaska, Bob Gosselin Photography, Bella Rosa Medi Spa, Visiting Angels, Barbara Martin, KI Minuteman Press, Kentmorr Restaurant, First Home Mortgage, and The Winery.

Proceeds from the “Beef, Bonfires and Cigars” event will support Haven Ministries Housing Assistance Program. Haven Ministries, with the support of its executive board, church coalition, staff, business owners, community agencies, and dedicated volunteers, is currently planning a long-term housing program to be located in the Kent Island area.  This long-term program will be funded by private donations made directly to Haven Ministries and enable the organization to offer year-round services in a consistent stable environment for those experiencing housing insecurities. The program, structured similar to that of a landlord-tenant relationship, will include a process for individuals and families to apply for the program, pass a background check, and agree to work with a case manager to transition into permanent housing. The goal of the Housing Assistance Program is to offer comprehensive resources including education, job training, and employment opportunities to give individuals and families the opportunity to stabilize, build up their resources, and successfully move on to safe and affordable housing.

Tickets to the “Beef, Bonfires and Cigars” cost $60 per person and are available online (click here). For further information, call 410-739-4363.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter located at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Stevensville, a Resource Center at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, the Haven Ministries Food Pantries at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville and Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.

Pictured left to right are Haven Ministries Executive Director Krista Pettit, with supporters Mia Cranford and Robert Gazic.

The Face of Rural Homelessness on the Mid Shore

The Face of Rural Homelessness on the Mid Shore

The Face of Rural Homelessness on the Mid Shore

According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), in order to afford a two-bedroom rental property and not spend more than 30% of their income, Maryland residents need to earn $27.52 an hour (working 40 hours/week and 52 weeks a year). Research from the NLIHC also reports that 71% of extremely low-income households spend more than 50% of their income on rent and 61% of them report that they have had to make at least one sacrifice in the last three years because they are struggling to pay for housing.

For Edward Junior Newton, having a place to call home was not an issue until about seven years ago when his luck changed. Newton worked in a regular job in Delaware for 30 years, owning two houses during his lifetime and enjoying a productive life. After he started a painting business following retirement, he couldn’t find a place to rent that was affordable. Some unfortunate associations left Newton without any belongings and searching for a roof over his head. A friend let him stay in his outdoor shed over a period of seven years, that is until he suffered smoke inhalation from a stove in the shed which was not properly ventilated and nearly died.

Newton was hospitalized again later for an ulcer that developed on his ankle. This time when he was discharged from the hospital, a friend called Haven Ministries to help him get on his feet.

Newton recalls, “I didn’t know what to do. It’s the worse mess I ever got into. I trusted the wrong people. I didn’t have any family to turn to. I didn’t even have a birth certificate.”

Haven Ministries emergency winter shelter offered Newton temporary housing from February through April of this year. He made some good friends while in the shelter.

Sandi Wiscott, Director of Operations and Case Management, Haven Ministries, comments, “Everyone took to him. He is so kind, sweet, and quiet.”

Newton’s health has improved throughout the process. He had smoked for 30 years and has given it up to help his ankle wound heal. Through the resources at Haven Ministries he has gotten his Social Security benefits and Medicare insurance in place. Wiscott and the staff of Haven Ministries helped Newton find permanent housing in Caroline County. He used the resources through Haven Ministries Daily Thread Thrift Store and Emergency Food Pantry to stabilize and successfully move into his new apartment.

Wiscott comments that she sees people who have had bad things happen but just need to see that somebody has faith in them, adding about Newton, “He smiles a lot now.”

Haven Ministries with the support of its executive board, church coalition, staff, business owners, community agencies, and dedicated volunteers is currently planning a long-term housing program to be located in the Kent Island area.  This long-term program will be funded by private donations made directly to Haven Ministries and enable the organization to offer year-round services in a consistent stable environment for those experiencing housing insecurities. The program, structured similar to that of a landlord-tenant relationship, will include a process for individuals and families to apply for the program, pass a background check, and agree to work with a case manager to transition into permanent housing. The goal of the Housing Assistance Program is to offer comprehensive resources including education, job training, and employment opportunities to give individuals and families the opportunity to stabilize, build up their resources, and successfully move on to safe and affordable housing.

For further information about Haven Ministries call 410-739-4363 or visit haven-ministries.org.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter located at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Stevensville, a Resource Center at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, the Haven Ministries Food Pantries at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville and Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.

Pictured left to right are Sandi Wiscott, Director of Operations and Case Management, Haven Ministries, with client Edward Junior Newton. Newton used the resources through Haven Ministries Emergency Winter Shelter, Daily Thread Thrift Store, and Emergency Food Pantry to stabilize and successfully move on to safe and affordable housing on the Mid Shore.

Haven Ministries Transforms Lives

For the past 15 years, Haven Ministries on Kent Island has been impacting the lives of the poor in Queen Anne’s County. As a faith-based nonprofit, the organization offers quality programs that address housing, hunger, and clothing.  For the last fourteen years, Haven Ministries has operated a seasonal shelter at Kent Island Methodist Church for the homeless in the county. Working with local churches, government agencies and other nonprofits, it has been able to provide over 2,500 nights of safe shelter operations; served more than 720 people through its shelter services and outreach; and served more than 2,000 people per year food and clothing through (2) Food Pantries and the Thrift Store.

Krista Pettit, executive director of Haven Ministries, comments, “One of the main issues in our county is the disparity between the income that our clients can earn and the cost of housing in the area.  This is exacerbated with few affordable housing options in Queen Anne’s County. As a result, the county must deal with a growing homeless population.”

Haven Ministries participates in the Continuum of Care which is a group of service providers who meet to discuss issues of homelessness on the Eastern Shore.  All of these service providers also align to help provide the best care to the homeless population in our region.  Haven Ministries has made connections with local veteran groups to help homeless veterans receive appropriate services.  Krista explains that Haven Ministries is the only homeless shelter that serves men, women, children in the entirety of Queen Anne’s County. She adds, “We are filling a need that has not been met prior to opening a shelter nine years ago.” 

For Ross, a veteran who was a client with Haven Ministries five years ago, the shelter was a lifesaver. As an Army veteran, he was battling some issues and ended up homeless while visiting family in Grasonville during the winter months. He comments, “They helped me get on the right path.”

In addition to just offering a “roof over your head,” Haven Ministries Shelter helps its clients by assigning them to a Case Manager who works with them to connect to county resources for jobs, housing, medical services, and transportation. While staying in the Haven Ministries Shelter, Ross needed a variety of services. His case worker helped connect him to resources that could address his dental and eye issues, as well as his overall health problems. After connecting him to the Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic, he was able to get help at Perry Point VA Health System. Ross recalls, “After the shelter closed in April, I was then able to transfer to a year-round shelter in Delaware which was close to my medical services at Perry Point. I stayed for at that shelter for two years.”

During this time, Ross was able to get his disability status and eventually a rent-assisted apartment in Cecil County. He has lived independently there now for three years.

Ross adds, “I am in a lot better place than I was.  The Shelter offers a lot of help to a lot of people. I met some nice people while I was there. They were like family to me.”

Krista comments, “We align with area churches, nonprofits, and county programs to provide resources to the homeless.”

Among the faith organizations providing volunteers for Haven Ministries are Calvary United Methodist Church, Centreville United Methodist Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Community Baptist Church of Barclay, First Baptist Church, Island Alliance Church, Kent Island United Methodist Church, Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church, Wye Parish, St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Sudlersville United Methodist Church, NEW United Methodist Church, Wye Bible Church, and Wye of Carmichael United Methodist Church.

The Reverend Mark S. Delcuze, Rector of Christ Church Parish, Kent Island, comments, “This is the most ecumenical program I do on the Island. We are all pushing for the same goal – to care for people. When I look out into the room during our meetings, I am reminded of the number of faith groups gathered around the single purpose of helping our neighbors. Haven Ministries is not an institution – it is a group of faith communities allied by a common goal.”

In addition to its Shelter, Haven Ministries offers a Food Pantry with staples like canned fruits and vegetables, as well as poultry and ham, drinks and even freeze pops for the kids. The Food Pantry, located at the gymnasium at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church, also receives fresh fruits and vegetables seasonally from area farmers. Haven Ministries Thrift Shop, located on Thompson Creek Road near Cracker Barrel in Stevensville offers household items, like sheets and towels, and clothing. Krista comments, “We desire the continuing support of the community through volunteering at the Thrift Shop, Food Pantry, Shelter, and through financial donations.  We also rely on supporters to communicate the correct information about Haven Ministries to others.”

With the growing need for a permanent shelter in Queen Anne’s County, the shelter plans to build a new shelter, located at 325 State Street, the same place the Haven Ministries transitional housing program has operated for over three years. The shelter’s new permanent location will be convenient to its clientele, who benefit most from being close to the schools, park, library medical and senior services and employment opportunities on Kent Island. The new facility will be approximately 6,900 square feet. Completion of the new facility will allow the transitional housing program to operate year round while increasing its services and amenities. These amenities include computer areas, a meeting room for classes and counseling, a children’s playroom, a commercial kitchen, a laundry room and elevators.

Pictured are workers at Haven Ministries Shelter at Kent Island Methodist Church. For the past 11 years, Haven Ministries on Kent Island has been impacting the lives of the poor in Queen Anne’s County. As a faith-based nonprofit, the organization offers quality programs that address housing, hunger, and clothing. 

Haven Ministries Golf Tournament 2019: Putting a Roof Over Homelessness

Haven Ministries Golf Tournament 2019: Putting a Roof Over Homelessness

Haven Ministries will again host its 3rd Annual Haven Ministries Golf Tournament on Friday, September 20, 2019, at Prospect Bay Country Club. The event benefits Haven Ministries housing assistance programs, including its Emergency Winter Shelter located at Kent Island United Methodist Church from October through April; its Street Outreach to respond to individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis; and its Resource Center, located in the basement of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church that is open to the public. Funds are often used to assist with housing situations in order to avoid the risk of homelessness. For five years, Haven Ministries has been focusing efforts in the Kent Island area in order to operate a housing assistance program there. 

The scenic Prospect Bay golf course is located at 311 Prospect Bay Drive West, in Grasonville, MD. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and Shotgun Start at 9 a.m. It will be Captain’s Choice format. The price per player is $125 and includes Green Fees, Cart, Range Balls, Continental Breakfast, Complimentary Beverages on the Course, Lunch in the Clubhouse, and Prizes. Prizes will be awarded for the following categories: Top 3 Teams, Longest Drive Men & Women, Closest to the Pin Men & Women, Special Hole-in-one Contest, Door Prizes, 50/50 Drawing and more.

The Haven Advantage Package is valued at $10 per golfer and includes: 1 Mulligan, 1 Move up to Forward Tee and 1 Hand Toss a.k.a. “Hand Wedge.” Extra Mulligans are available for $5 each per player.

The premier event sponsors include Construction Services and Supply, the Roof Center, the American Legion Post 278 with support from VFW, Reedy Electrical, and Delmarva Power – an Exelon Company.

Haven Ministries Business Partners supporting the event include the following:

Diamond Level: Island Furniture Studio, Increte, and BAAR; Sapphire Level: Bay Times, Wye Conference Center, What’s Up Media, and PNC Bank;

Platinum Level: The Roof Center, Safe at Home Senior Care, Construction Services and Supply, and Prospect Bay: Gold Level: Harris Crab House, Riley Custom Homes, Swan Cove Salon, The Narrows, Tri Gas & Oil, Waterman Realty, Homeland Title & Escrow, Hemingway’s Restaurant, Range and Reef, and The Shore Update;

Silver Level: Chesapeake Hearing Centers, Holiday Inn Express, Island Dental Studio, Island Flooring, Lundberg Builders, McCrone, Miltec, Realty Navigator, Shore United Bank, U.S. Health Care, Rotary Kent Island, KRM Development, Kari Anderson for Oceans Lending, Serr.Biz LLC, Rodan & Fields- Salisbury, and Shore Sign;

Bronze Level: Blue Heron Catering, Chesapeake Chef Services, Chesa Del Crier, Capriotti’s -Chester, Joseph w. McCartin Insurance, Computer Island, Island Athletic, Legal Shield, Maid Healthy, Rodan & Fields, Cari Healy Hair,  Chesapeake Think Tank, Linda Prochaska, Bob Gosselin Photography, Bella Rose Medi, Visiting Angels, Jenny Spencer -Mary Kay, Barbara Martin, KI Minuteman Press, Kentmorr Restaurant, First Home Mortgage, and The Winery.                                                              

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Taryn Chase at 410-490-0925. For further information or to register for the tournament, visit haven-ministries.org.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter located at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Stevensville, a Resource Center at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, the Haven Ministries Food Pantries at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville and Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.

Haven Ministries Kicks Off #FoundHope Campaign with Hope Rocks

Haven Ministries Kicks Off #FoundHope Campaign with Hope Rocks

Do you need an idea about what to do with your children to pass away the lazy days of summer? Just like the modern-day treasure hunt, “geocaching,” that was popular a few years ago, there is a new activity being sponsored by Haven Ministries that families can do this summer while also spreading hope in Queen Anne’s County.

With the help of Queen Anne’s County residents and Kent Island Rocks, Haven Ministries is expanding their #FoundHope Campaign to include “hope rocks” to raise awareness about their ministries in Queen Anne’s County. In the month of June, Haven Ministries Hope Warehouse shoppers and volunteers, along with Kent Island Rocks, the Grasonville Senior Center, and Centreville United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School, painted hundreds of rocks with messages of hope which are hidden throughout the county to be discovered by the public this summer. From July 1 through July 31, anyone who finds one of the painted rocks can photograph it with a cell phone and post it on Haven Ministries Facebook page: havenministriesshelter with #foundhope and the location where they found it. People can also bring the photo of the rock they found to Hope Warehouse in Queenstown for a prize. Finders should then re-hide the painted rock for others to find it. Hope Warehouse is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to Susan Phillips, Manager of Hope Warehouse, “Hope is what Haven Ministries provides. It’s great for the community to come to share their hope through this campaign.”

Karla Horton, owner of Dragonfly Paddle and Fitness in Stevensville and founder of Kent Island Rocks, started painting “kindness rocks” three years ago. The project initially was as a kid’s project but grew as adults enjoyed painting the rocks as well. The rocks had encouraging messages on them. Once people found the rocks, they could either keep them for encouragement or hide them again for someone else to find. Horton has joined forces with Haven Ministries to help with its campaign.

Horton comments, “Haven Ministries does a ton of good work in the community and is one of the few groups serving people who are homeless in the county. It is great to partner with them on this project.”

According to Horton, the Grasonville Senior Center, which supports several social projects in Queen Anne’s County, was excited to also help with the project and clients painted nearly 100 rocks for the campaign.

For further information on the #FoundHope Campaign or Haven Ministries, call 410-739-4363 or visit Haven-minsitries.org or the Facebook page: havenministriesshelter.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter located at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Stevensville, a Resource Center at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Centreville, the Haven Ministries Food Pantries at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville and Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.


Pictured are rocks that were painted at Haven Ministries Hope Warehouse for its #FoundHope Campaign. During the month of July, hundreds of “hope rocks” with messages of hope have been hidden throughout Queen Anne’s County to be discovered by the public.

Haven Ministries Helps Food Pantry Customers Make the Most of their Food Decisions

Haven Ministries Helps Food Pantry Customers Make the Most of their Food Decisions

Haven Ministries is working with the University of Maryland Extension office in Centreville to help area residents, currently utilizing food pantries at Centreville United Methodist Church to make the most of their food decisions. They hope to expand the program in the future to their food pantry at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville.

The program evolved after Centreville United Methodist Church (UMC) formed a Food Nutrition Education Committee (Food NET) which included its parishioners and interested volunteers from other churches in the community who wanted to focus on healthy eating. The team decided to partner with the University of Maryland Extension’s Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program. The program’s goal is to influence the health knowledge and behaviors of low-income Marylanders through nutrition education.   

Ashley Guenard, Mid-Shore Project Leader and Educator of the Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program and a nutrition educator volunteered to come up with healthy recipes for every season which are shared with Centreville United Methodist Church’s daytime food pantry, as well as with Haven Ministries Food Pantry, offered every third Friday night of the month at Centreville UMC. The group hopes to expand the program to Haven Ministries Food Pantry at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville in the future.

At the Food Pantries at Centreville UMC, customers can taste recipes made from the fresh produce provided by the Maryland Food Bank, which provides nearly 6000 pounds of food a month for each location. Customers also get a bag of the ingredients to make the recipe and small kitchen gadgets to help in the preparation of the recipe with each monthly visit.

According to volunteer April Sharp, a member of Centreville UMC, who is helping with the program, “We have gotten people to try new foods they have never eaten before. We have also gotten feedback from our regular customers about how much they have enjoyed tasting and trying recipes at home and how they look forward to getting new recipes each month.”

She adds, “It’s a fresh way to present new food options for people in need.”

According to Krista Pettit, executive director of Haven Ministries, an average of 130 people on average participate at both food pantry locations.  The food pantries hope to expand their offerings in the coming months.

Sharon Lippert, a longtime volunteer at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, “We work as a team to make it happen. The participants get two week’s worth of groceries once a month. We have young families through the elderly living on Social Security who use the Food Pantry.  We enjoy getting to know the people who come and it really is a great ministry for us.”

Volunteers are critical to the operation of both Haven Ministries’ Food Pantries. According to Karen Bardwell, Volunteer Coordinator for Haven Ministries, “We utilize volunteers at both locations to sort and pack the produce from the Maryland Food Bank and to organize the food displayed. Volunteers also help customers get their groceries to their cars, as many are elderly or disabled.”

Volunteers can be individuals or organizations. In the past, volunteers have included middle and high school students, the Boy and Girl Scouts, and church youth groups. Anyone who would like to volunteer for either food pantry, can sign up online at Haven-minsitries.org under the tab “Other Ways We Help” – “Food Pantries” or call Volunteer Coordinator Karen Bardwell at 410-490-3173.  Food donations to Haven Ministries Food Pantries are also accepted at churches on Kent Island and at the Kent Island Library, as well as at Centreville United Methodist Church.

Haven Ministries Food Pantries are offered the third Friday of each month (except in November due to the Thanksgiving Programs) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church (931 Love Point Road, Stevensville) for Kent Island and surrounding area residents and Centreville United Methodist Church (608 Church Hill Road, Centreville) for North County residents. The daytime Food Pantry at Centreville United Methodist Church is held on the first Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. For further information about the Food Pantries, call 410-739-4363 or visit Haven-minsitries.org Haven-minsitries.org.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter located at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Stevensville, a Resource Center at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Centreville, the Haven Ministries Food Pantries at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville and Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.


Haven Ministries is working with the University of Maryland Extension office in Centreville to help area residents, currently utilizing food pantries at Centreville United Methodist Church to make the most of their food decisions.

Pictured left to right are June Thomas, Ashley Guenard, Mid-Shore Project Leader and Educator of the Food Supplement Nutrition Education (FSNE) Program with the University of Maryland Extension office in Centreville; Peggy Fleisher, and Lorien MacAuley, Healthy Food Systems Evaluation Specialist for FSNE.

Haven Ministries Challenges Communities to Participate in Photos of Hope Campaign

Haven Ministries Challenges Communities to Participate in Photos of Hope Campaign

Have you observed hope amidst the bad news being broadcast in your community? Haven Ministries believes there are acts of hope around us every day if we just pay attention. The organization is running a social media campaign starting the week of April 29 until June 1, 2019 that will challenge people to take photos of hope in their communities – groups of people helping others, individuals with objects of hope (like spring flowers or baby animals), or even a sunrise or sunset. The only rule is that the sign “HOPE is found here” should appear in the photo. Haven Ministries is asking people to then post the photo on social media – Facebook and Instagram:  #foundhope and tag @havenministriesshelter.  Participants are asked to then give their signs to others to find hope in their communities, post/ share it, and pass it on to someone else to do the same.

Haven Ministries is distributing signs through its Thrift Store and the Warehouse.  People can also download the sign from Haven Ministries website haven-ministries.org.

Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries.  Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter located at the Kent Island United Methodist Church in Stevensville, a Resource Center at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, the Haven Ministries Food Pantries at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church in Stevensville and Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Stevensville and Hope Warehouse in Queenstown.

For further information about Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries.org or call 410-739-4363.


Haven Ministries is running a social media campaign starting the week of April 29 until June 1, 2019 that will challenge people to take photos of hope in their communities such as these and post to social media, passing on the challenge to others to do the same.

“#foundhope in the Haven Ministries Food Pantry!”
“#foundhope in the signs of spring – warm weather is here!”

Haven Ministries 2nd Annual Best Girlfriends Weekend Supports Shelter Staff and Case Managers

With winter upon us and frigid temperatures, Haven Ministries’ Shelter at Kent Island United Methodist Church in Stevensville, Maryland is at its capacity. Since opening in October, the shelter has helped 25 residents, including 10 children. Because of this status, many families from Queen Anne’s County remain on a waiting list for the shelter.

According to Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries, shelter staff and case managers work tirelessly with clients to quickly move clients in the shelter into safe and affordable housing. She explains the process stating, “Our staff works each day to find clients training, jobs, medical services, and eventually housing. Without their dedication, we would not be able to offer our clients hope through the provision of the basic needs of shelter, clothing, food, and other resources.”

Pam Boyce, a Shelter Assistant at night, who has been with the Shelter for 13 years, reflects, “I love helping people – it’s a calling. We make sure everyone has what they need and a place to go during the day after they leave us. We pack lunches and get breakfast together on the night shift.”

She adds, “Our case managers go above and beyond just the shelter needs – they help with insurance, medical needs, and jobs.”

To help fund  shelter staff and case managers at Haven Ministries, the organization hosts an annual event, Best Girlfriends Weekend. This year’s Second Annual Best Girlfriends Weekend is being held on February 22-24, 2019 at the beautiful Wye Conference Center Houghton House and River House.

According to Taryn Chase, Haven Ministries’ new Business and Marketing Development Director, “The property includes Five-Star rated rooms and delicious meals prepared on the property, as well as an incredible weekend filled with your best friends, new friends, positivity and a complete rejuvenation of you!”

Last year’s weekend was filled with women empowerment discussions, jewelry making, shopping, tastings from local restaurants, a Saturday Business Expo with a variety of vendors, a fashion show, and an evening dance party with DJ Cori. The weekend kicked off with a Friday Movie Night, complete with candy, popcorn and treats.

Chase adds, “Island Furniture Studio hosted a Hospitality Suite for the weekend where guests made new friendships that have only grown stronger during this past year. Since it was such an amazing event, Island Furniture Studio is a Premier Sponsor for this year’s event. Buffy Cromwell and Denise Boggs are going above and beyond to make this year’s event memorable for attendees.” 

Lolita Watkins, Computer Island owner and Spiritual Leader for the weekend and one of Haven Ministries Business Partners, commented, “The weekend was perfect in every way, simply ‘SHEMAZING’.”

Karen Uthus, a participant in the 2018 Best Girlfriends Weekend, added, “Last year’s Best Girlfriend weekend left me rejuvenated, inspired and grateful.  I spent a wonderful weekend surrounded by amazing, positive and inspiring women.”

Tickets are on sale at Haven-ministries.org. For more information please call Taryn Chase at 410-490-0925.