Jack Gottschalk Appointed Haven Ministries Board of Directors President
Jack Gottschalk of Wye Mills has been appointed President of the Haven Ministries Board of Directors. Gottschalk served as a business consultant and has also held several executive-level positions in Fortune 500 corporations that included plastics, rubber, military products, electronics, railroad, education, food, and health care. He worked with the Hershey Foods Corporation and retired from Children’s National Medical Center as Vice President of Human Resources. He holds a Ph.D. in Organization Behavior and a master’s degree in Human Resources. He has served on the Haven Ministries Board of Directors for three years.
“While serving on the Board of Directors, I quickly discovered how sincerely and completely committed our leadership, staff, volunteers, and member churches are to fulfilling God’s work by helping others. It is so very rewarding for our entire team to know we are directly making a difference in the lives of others,” Gottschalk comments.
Gottschalk is working with Haven Ministries Executive Director to improve efficiencies in its programs to meet the growing needs for assisting men, women, and children in Queen Anne’s County caught in the cycle of poverty.
“Peter and I would like to continue the great work and tradition of our founder Krista Pettit and we will look for growth opportunities that will enhance the services that Haven Ministries provides to our community,” Gottschalk adds.
“We are thrilled to have Jack as our Board President. He brings tremendous experience from a wide range of business environments and can lead us to creative solutions as we continue to grow our organization,” states Peter Grim, Executive Director of Haven Ministries.
Pictured is Jack Gottschalk of Wye Mills, the new Board President of Haven Ministries.
Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center, and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Store in Chester, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.
Haven Ministries is recognizing National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Month
As we enter the season of giving, Haven Ministries recognizes November as National Homeslessness and Hunger Month and is asking the public to support its efforts in sheltering and feeding Queen Anne’s County residents in need by participating in the year-end giving program.
Through its new Homes of Hope in Stevensville, which opened in June, Haven Ministries is providing clients with affordable housing while leading them to a permanent housing solution. While participating in the Haven Ministries Housing Assistance Program, participants work closely with a Haven Ministries case manager to ensure that they are positioned for success to secure safe and stable long-term housing once their respective program period is over, usually within two years.
“To date, both homes are filled and staff is working with clients toward long-term housing solutions. We are thrilled with being able to implement our Housing Assistance Program. The need for affordable housing on the Mid-Shore has never been greater and we rely upon our donors to help us bridge the gap,” comments Peter Grim, Executive Director of Haven Ministries.
Individuals and families who live in Queen Anne’s County can apply for the program, must pass the background checks, pay a program fee, and voluntarily agree to work with a case manager. Haven Ministries will connect participants to area resources such as education, jobs, and job training, allowing individuals and families to stabilize, build up their resources, and successfully move on toward safe and affordable housing.
In addition to Homes of Hope, Haven Ministries is continuing to operate its seasonal shelter at Kent Island Methodist Church in Stevensville to offer emergency overnight safe and warm accommodations for individuals and families who do not have a dedicated location in which to sleep. The shelter operates from October through April each year.
In addition to shelter needs, Haven Ministries is seeing a growing need for food pantry items at its Food Pantry/Resource Center location at 206 Del Rhodes Avenue in Queenstown. Haven Ministries also operates a Mobile Food Pantry Truck where residents in northern Queen Anne’s County can go and “shop” for needed food items. The “store on wheels” is parked at Faith Bible Church at 407 Dudley Corner Road in Sudlersville every week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering a selection of non-cooked food items for area residents. Haven Ministries partners with The Judy Center/Queen Anne’s County Public Schools to supply food to this part of the county.
“The demand for food items at both these locations has increased by 40 percent since the pandemic began. We are now serving an average of 500 people per month through our food pantry program. The need is great and we rely upon the public’s support to keep up with this growing demand,” adds Grim.
Financial donations between now and December 2, 2023, will be matched up to $15,000. To support the Housing Assistance and Food Pantry Programs, call 410-827-7194 or make an online donation before December 2, 2022, making your dollars go even further.
Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center, and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Chester, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.
Left: Pictured are Melanie and Cameron Lednum who are residents in one of the Haven Ministries’ Homes of Hope
Right:Pictured is Tina Trice in Haven Ministries’ Queenstown Food Pantry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (STEVENSVILLE, MD – JULY 18, 2022)
CONTACT: Peter Grim, 410-827-7194
Peter Grim of Rock Hall, a non-profit executive, has been appointed the new Executive Director of Haven Ministries. Grim replaces Krista Pettit, who founded the organization 20 years ago in Queen Anne’s County to address the need for a homeless shelter there.
At a recent celebration of Pettit’s achievements, Caroline Aland, Past Board President of Haven Ministries recalled, “Krista was sitting in church and got a calling from God. He told her there was a need in her community. There are people without housing who are struggling to survive. He asked her to do something. To start a shelter.”
Krista created the Queen Anne County Christian Assistance program and pretty soon they had a place to shelter people. The first year the shelter was in the Grasonville Community Center. After the first year, the shelter moved to the Kent Island United Methodist Church where it has remained operating as a seasonal shelter.
“But that’s not all… she then organized the Food Pantry, a Resource Center, transitional housing, a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store, and Hope Warehouse providing sustainable income for Haven Ministries’ programs and goods for its clients. And now we have the Homes for Hope housing program,” added Aland.
Aland pointed out that all of these projects were opened with tremendous prayer and thought. The organization started with a handful of volunteers and has grown to 14 paid staff, hundreds of volunteers, and has helped thousands of residents over the years.
Grim, who follows Pettit, has had several years of experience in executive leadership, development, and operational oversight of non-profit organizations. Most recently he facilitated a start-up and served as Executive Director of The Common Place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a non-profit organization providing education, social service collaboration, and faith formation to serve resource-challenged children and families. Before that, he managed retirement communities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
“Peter’s non-profit experience includes faith-based multiple startups, strategic planning, community-based programs that include nutrition education, food pantry operations, after-school programming, technical education, summer camps, fundraising, and construction. He has held general management positions that cover all the critical skill sets needed for success as Executive Director, including community relations, communications, and group leadership,” states Jack Gottschalk, Haven Ministries Board President.
“One of his endearing qualities is that when you meet him you can see straight through to his heart. He is a caring and devoted Christian who like our founder ‘walks the talk.’ What you see is what you get – an honest, personable, and capable executive with a broad skill set that is already making a difference to Haven Ministries.”
Grim brings an entrepreneurial-driven approach to non-profit management to ensure fiscal stability and growth. His father started a retirement community the year he was born, and Grim grew up working at all levels of the operation.
“Throughout my childhood to adulthood, I gained valuable experience with increasing levels of responsibility working in housekeeping, maintenance, kitchen, bookkeeping, nursing home administration, and overall management culminating in a board position, ownership, and eventual sale of the organization. This vast experience carried over to bring much success in future business endeavors,” he reflects.
Grim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami and an M.B.A. in Health Care Administration from St. Joseph’s University.
“One of the first things I hope to do is to bring additional stability to the organization in terms of structure and processes. The organization grew quickly and is doing lots of amazing things in the community. I want to look at creating efficiencies in our programs to be even more effective. That is something I’ve done in my past, so that was another thing that drew me to this job with Haven Ministries,” Grim explained.
“As a Christian, I believe that you need to help others while also helping them learn how to help themselves. That will be a principle I follow in working with the community we serve.”
For further information about supporting Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries.org or call Peter Grim at 410-827-7194.
Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center, and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Store in Chester, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.
Caption: Pictured is Peter Grim, new executive director of Haven Ministries.
Haven Ministries Opens Homes of Hope in Stevensville
Haven Ministries is addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in Queen Anne’s County this spring with the opening of two new single-family homes located in Stevensville. What has been 20 years in the making, the “Homes of Hope” will provide real hope to those participating in Haven Ministries Housing Assistance Program.
Built in the middle of the pandemic, these two 1700-square-foot single-family homes were completed because of generous donations from local businesses of materials and services totaling over $150,000.
“Even though we were living in uncertain times, people in our community stepped up to donate so that someone less fortunate could have shelter – one of our basic human needs. People like Jim Moran, owner of Increte of Maryland, Inc. and Brad Lundberg, President of Lundberg Builders and 314 Design Studio, helped to coordinate the supplier donations on the project. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the giving these two men solicited,” comments Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries.
Jim Moran, also a project donor and a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner At-Large, states, “This project has been a long time coming. I got involved eight years ago and have been donating ever since. These homes have been funded through donations, a $150,000 grant from Queen Anne’s County, as well as state funding. Haven Ministries does a tremendous job and has built this organization from nothing into a model program.”
Moran was raised in Bowie, Maryland and his parents instilled in him charity as a child. His military experience overseas also exposed him to those less fortunate and has been a motivator for his philanthropy as well.
“I learned early through my faith about charity. The quote, ‘The measure of a community is how they care for the least of the community,’ has always resonated with me. I have been blessed to have a successful company and a loving family. We can always do more.”
Through the Homes of Hope, Haven Ministries will be able to provide clients with affordable housing while leading them to a permanent housing solution. While participating in the Housing Assistance Program, participants will work closely with a Haven Ministries case manager to ensure that they are positioned for success to secure safe and stable long-term housing once their respective program period is over, usually within two years.
Individuals and families who live in Queen Anne’s County can apply for the program, must pass the background checks, pay a program fee, and voluntarily agree to work with a case manager. Haven Ministries will connect participants to area resources such as education, jobs, and job training, allowing individuals and families to stabilize, build up their resources, and successfully move on toward safe and affordable housing.
Housing instability can include trouble paying rent or a mortgage, moving frequently due to the lack of affordable housing, or spending a majority of household income on housing. The construction for Homes of Hope and the Housing Assistance Program are being funded by private donations and grants, including those from foundations made directly to Haven Ministries, and through major fundraising activities. A program fee will also be collected from the Housing Assistance Program clients approved for the program.
Haven Ministries will continue to operate its seasonal shelter at Kent Island Methodist Church in Stevensville to offer emergency overnight safe and warm accommodations for individuals and families that do not have a dedicated location in which to sleep. Although both of these programs are important programs, they each serve a different population of community members with different needs.
Moran concludes, “I used my contacts in the industry to help fund this project. No one said ‘no’ when they were asked to contribute. Each of the following sponsors sees the value of helping others.”
“This project has been a community project from the start. Several things have been donated from the initial demolition to Delmarva Power donating their labor for electricity hook-up to the local plumbers and electricians donating their labor and materials – the generosity has been overwhelming,” adds Lundberg.
Sponsors for Haven Ministries Homes of Hope were 314 Design Studio, ABC Supply Co Inc., A Plus Sanitation, Absolute Fire Protection, Inc., Annapolis Exteriors, . Bill Thomas, C2 Foam, Capital Electric, Chesapeake Environmental Labs, Inc., Choice Stairways, Matt Cole with Cole Ventures, Delmarva Power, Dress Your Windows, Economy Pest Control, Inc., ED Supply, Ernest Maier Companies, Ferguson, F.A. Hobson Landscaping, Inc., Friel Lumber, Increte of Maryland, Inc., Island Floors, Jack Wilson, Jr. Electrical Services, JTW Building Services LLC, KI True Value, Lane Engineering, Lifetime Well Drilling, Lindy J Jones Plumbing and Heating Contractors, Lowes, Lundberg Builders, O’Berry Engineering, Inc., Palmer’s Plumbing, Patuxent Materials, Patuxent Roll-Off, R.B. Bakers, R and D Electric, Puckett’s Heating and Air Conditioning, Rental Works, Torchio Architects, Universal Supply Co., W Scot Jones Mechanical Contractor, and White’s Custom Concepts.
Special thanks goes to the following organizations who contributed funding: Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, Weinberg Foundation, Salmon Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, May Foundation, Trust Foundation of Maryland, Legislative Bond Grant, Keller Giving, Queen Anne’s County Mental Health Grant, Mid-Shore Community Foundation, and many individual donors.
For further information about donating to this important project, visit haven-ministries.org. For information about applications for the Homes of Hope, call 410-739-7859.
Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Thrift Store in Chester, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.
Representatives of the area business who donated materials and services to building Homes of Hope in Queen Anne’s County include left to right Brad Lundberg with Lundberg Builders and 314 Design Studio; Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries; Jack Wilson with Absolute Fire Protection, JTW Building Services LLC, C2 Foam Insulation, and a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner; and Jim Moran with Increte of Maryland, Inc. and a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner.
Please help us welcome Peter Grim. Peter has recently relocated to the Eastern Shore from Philadelphia and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of both the nonprofit and for-profit realms. Krista Pettit, outgoing director will continue to work with Peter over the next four months to ensure the transition is done with excellence.
“Our volunteer pool has always been at the core of the services we provide. We couldn’t do it without them,” comments Krista Pettit, Executive Director of Haven Ministries.
“These are truly remarkable people who have dedication and compassion for those we serve. They are making a difference in the lives of their neighbors by volunteering their time to help people get back on their feet.”
Haven Ministries utilizes volunteers in a variety of ways through its homeless shelter, resource center, food pantries, and at Our Daily Thread and Hope Warehouse retail locations. At Haven Ministries Headquarters/Resource Center in Queenstown on Del Rhodes Avenue and at Hope Warehouse on Friels Road, volunteers are used in a variety of ways. Right now, Hope Warehouse has the greatest need for volunteers to pick up donations from community members one day a week and help lift furniture and appliances into vehicles when items are purchased at the Warehouse.
“Each volunteer has his/her strengths and contributes in unique ways to make the shopping experience at Hope Warehouse enjoyable for both new and returning customers. Volunteers help customers, arrange furniture and displays, clean, and serve as cashiers. We need able-bodied people who can work a three-hour morning or afternoon shift Wednesday through Saturday,” states Joni Melotti, Hope Warehouse Manager.
In the Resource Center, volunteers answer the phone and schedule clients for both food pantries in Queenstown and Sudlersville. They also help gather information for client requests for assistance. Volunteers who have office skills and enjoy working with people are encouraged to apply. Volunteers also help with Haven Ministries seasonal shelter.
“We have the best volunteers. They are willing to do what is needed and are such pleasant and caring individuals,” comments Mary Jeeters, case manager for Haven Ministries’ Resource Center.
Haven Ministries’ food pantries and thrift shop have the greatest number of volunteers, using volunteers in shifts to keep their operations running. At the Haven Ministries Food Pantries, nearly 40 volunteers work Monday through Friday at the Resource Center Pantry in Queenstown or the Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville, providing a friendly face to clients. Volunteers move food from storage locations, stock the pantries and clean pantry sites, while also assisting clients with finding the items they need.
“Our volunteers enjoy interacting with clients. It’s meaningful for them. Clients enjoy the engagement just as much as the volunteers do,” states Christine Perkins, Food Pantry Director.
“Clients are relaxed at our pantries as they can leisurely shop for the items they need among dry goods, canned goods, frozen foods and toiletries. This time of year, we also offer them hats, gloves and scarves.”
An equal number of volunteers keep Haven Ministries’ Our Daily Thread store operations going. The store’s new location in Chester has attracted a number of new volunteers and its volume of donations is increasing every day. Volunteers help by sorting and pricing clothing during two shifts Monday through Saturday.
“The new location offers such a pleasant work environment for our volunteers, who really are the backbone of what we do in serving the public. We are always looking for people to join our team,” states Liz Bazzell, Our Daily Thread Manager.
All of the volunteer opportunities at Haven Ministries allow flexible scheduling. To volunteer, call Haven Ministries staff at the following numbers and locations:
Haven Ministry Food Pantries – Headquarters – 206 Del Rhodes Avenue in Queenstown & Food Pantry Truck – 407 Dudley Corner Road in Sudlersville – Christine Perkins, Food Pantry Director at 443-988-1183
Resource Center & Seasonal Shelter – 206 Del Rhodes Avenue in Queenstown – Mary Jeeters, Case Manager at 410-827-7194
Our Daily Thread Store – 1521 Postal Road in Chester – Liz Bazzell, Manager at 410-353-0455
Hope Warehouse – 6527 Friel’s Road in Queenstown – Joni Melotti, Warehouse Manager at 410-490-8498
For further information about supporting Haven Ministries, visit haven-ministries.org or call Krista Pettit at 410-739-4363.
Love shapes the ministry, love transforms people, and hope prevails at Haven Ministries. Haven Ministries operates a seasonal Homeless Shelter, a Resource Center and Food Pantry in Queenstown, Our Daily Thread Store in Chester, Hope Warehouse in Queenstown, and a Food Pantry Truck in Sudlersville.
Pictured left is Haven Ministries volunteer Rob McCauley carrying furniture for a customer at Hope Warehouse in Queenstown. This month, the organization is doing a campaign, “We Love Our Volunteers,” to thank its volunteers and encourage more people to volunteer for the organization.
