How Haven Box is empowering sexual abuse survivors in RI

The Providence Journal and United Way of Rhode Island have partnered to highlight the state's nonprofits . Each week, a nonprofit identified by United Way will be spotlighted in the Providence Sunday Journal, and the United Way will share how it supports that organization.

This week, we feature Haven Box , which supports survivors of sexual violence post-crisis, when they are ready to reintegrate with themselves and their communities.

We asked Founding Executive Director Brandie Stringer to tell us more about the organization.

What is your mission and vision?

The mission of Haven Box is to collectively support survivors of sexual and relational harm and their journeys forward. Through our core comfort box program, we aim to address unmet needs and foster long-term healing with post-crisis support services that nurture the individual mind, body, spirit and community connection.

We envison a world free of sexual violence and where resources like ours are no longer needed. Until that is accomplished, we will be fierce advocates, aiming to comfort and empower survivors while educating the community on the impacts and realities of sexual violence.

How do you measure success?

At Haven Box, we measure success as uniquely as the healing journey of each survivor we serve. Our approach is rooted in staying true to our core values and unwavering commitment to survivor-centered care. Success is reflected in our ability to uphold trauma-informed principles, honor differences and provide non-traditional, holistic approaches that prioritize the individual needs of each survivor.

We actively seek and value feedback from the survivors we support, as well as from our donors, partners and community stakeholders. This feedback allows us to continuously refine our programs and ensure they are impactful, relevant and aligned with our mission.

Ultimately, success is most evident in the stories of resilience, empowerment and healing that emerge from the individuals and communities we serve. It's about creating a lasting impact that fosters long-term healing and strengthens the connections between mind, body, spirit and community.

What are your biggest challenges currently?

As a young nonprofit, Haven Box's biggest challenge is building awareness of our mission and showing what makes our approach distinct. Many organizations in the survivor support field focus on crisis response and basic needs, which is essential work. Haven Box meets a different, often overlooked need that is critical to recovery: providing comfort in the immediate aftermath of sexual harm and holistic care once the crisis has stabilized.

Our innovative model bridges gaps in survivor services by offering a continuum of care that nurtures the mind, body, spirit and community connection, while fostering long-term healing and improving health outcomes. However, the competitive nature of nonprofit funding and reductions in government support for survivor-focused initiatives have created intense pressure to adapt and innovate. To ensure our programs continue supporting survivors, we must demonstrate the transformative impact of our work, cultivate sustainable partnerships and rally community support to overcome these challenges.

How can volunteers or donors get involved?

Haven Box began as a volunteer-driven organization, so we deeply value our supporters. We offer both short and long-term opportunities for individuals and groups, such as organizing collection drives for items on our Amazon Wishlist, assisting with event setup and breakdown, participating in our annual Community Boxing Day to pack hospital boxes and Community Care Kits, creating affirmation cards for our boxes or helping organize our storage.

Donations of any amount are always appreciated and can be made online or by mailing a check. Supporters can also join our Haven Heroes Monthly Sustainer Program, which allows donors to make a lasting impact through monthly contributions across four giving tiers. As a token of appreciation, Haven Heroes receive special incentives while helping us provide vital support to survivors.

Your involvement – whether through time, resources or donations – helps us continue fostering healing and hope for survivors.

What are some recent accomplishments or projects you're proud of?

This year, we're celebrating five years of impact! Over the last half-decade, we've grown tremendously, and we're deeply honored to have supported countless survivors and connected with compassionate supporters along the way. It's a privilege to witness the transformative power of our work, whether it's the heartfelt reactions of survivors receiving a comfort box or the moments of healing and connection fostered through our programs.

While we dream of a world where organizations like Haven Box wouldn't need to exist, we are profoundly grateful for the community we've built. The Haven Box world is made brighter and sweeter by the resilience of survivors and the generosity of those who stand with us. Together, we've created something truly special, and we look forward to continuing this journey of hope, healing and connection for years to come.

For more information on Haven Box, email hello@havenbox.org or visit havenbox.org .

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How Haven Box is empowering sexual abuse survivors in RI