San Antonio – Haven for Hope, a local nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness, is shifting its focus for the coming year toward clients who return to the shelter more than twice. President and CEO Rhonda Mundhenk, marking her first anniversary at the helm, explained that repeat visitors often fall through the cracks of existing community services.
New care‑team model
Drawing on her background in law and health care, Mundhenk said the organization is building “care teams” that pair a behavioral‑health specialist with a registered nurse. These teams will assess both mental‑health needs and physical‑health conditions, ensuring that each client’s discharge plan is realistic and supportive.
“We’re really trying to create teams around those individuals that involve a behavioral health individual, an RN, so somebody who can also assess the physical health care needs of clients,” Mundhenk said. “That way we understand how they’re progressing under their discharge plans.”
Addressing gaps, not duplicating services
The nonprofit’s 15‑year history has given it a model that other cities can emulate. Mundhenk emphasized that Haven for Hope is not trying to duplicate services already offered in the community, but rather to identify where clients still fall through the cracks and to coordinate resources more effectively.
“One of the things that I’ve really tried to do is elevate us to that national stage as a voice in the policymaking discussion,” she added, noting the organization’s ambition to influence broader housing‑stability policy.
Volunteer drive and upcoming projects
Looking ahead, Haven for Hope is gearing up for its annual Home Depot Day, when roughly 600 volunteers are expected to tackle more than 20 improvement projects across the campus. The event, which provides labor at no cost to the nonprofit, will help upgrade facilities and create a more welcoming environment for residents.
Community members and local businesses have been encouraged to join the effort, reinforcing the nonprofit’s belief that strong neighborhoods are built on collaborative, faith‑centered action.
Why the focus matters
Housing stability is a cornerstone of family well‑being. When individuals cycle repeatedly through shelters, they face heightened risks of unemployment, health problems, and family disruption. By concentrating resources on repeat clients, Haven for Hope hopes to break that cycle, offering a more stable foundation for families to rebuild their lives.
The organization’s renewed strategy aligns with broader community goals of strengthening families, supporting faith‑based outreach, and upholding the liberty of individuals to pursue self‑sufficiency without undue government dependence.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
