There are several specific items needed at the Haven if you’d like to purchase one. You could also partner with a friend to purchase an item. Here’s a list of some of the things we need including estimates: couches ($2000), stainless steel work table ($500), outdoor seating ($1500), a shed ($5000), high lumen video projector ($3000), commercial freezer ($1500), kitchen updates ($5000), games for the atrium space like ping pong and foosball ($2500), lawn care tools ($1000), standing AC units for small rooms ($500 each).

Recently, a lovely couple in the neighborhood (Sharon and Jack) donated a gently used refrigerator. We were thrilled since we needed a good fridge. Since we are very particular about the overall design and feel of the space we are not just taking anything. The building was built in 1959 so we are going for a specific mid-century modern design. If you have items to donate like kitchen tables, couches, chairs, lamps, kitchen items, Pyrex, old records, and so on, from that era—let us know. If you have something you think would fit the aesthetic of the space you can send a picture of it to scott@havenri.org. If it’s a larger item we’d be happy to pick it up.

We plan to host at least one benefit concert a month, and it’ll usually be one Friday of each month. These Friday benefit concerts will feature the best worship artists from around the region from all different churches. Admission will always be free, but we encourage people coming to bring a donation. We will also sell food and beverage items (cash only). All proceeds will benefit Haven.

One of the greatest needs of any new initiative is help with promotion. Because we are operating on a small budget we don’t have money for expensive advertising. We have to rely mostly on word of mouth. Most of our promo will be through simple paper invites and social media posts. So it helps tremendously when someone spreads the word in their circles.

Usually on the last Saturday of each month we will have a community work day from 10-noon. Because we presently do not have any paid employees, we rely entirely on the generosity of volunteers. The work day tasks might be sweeping, cleaning windows, raking, mowing, weeding, painting, small repairs, and other simple projects to keep the building looking its best. If you have any questions about work day contact Scott at scott@havenri.org.

At the bottom of the website you’ll find a button that says “give”, and it will give you several options for giving to support Haven. For any community space like this to sustain it requires steady monthly supporters. Your donations are tax deductible.

Instead of supporting on a monthly basis some may want to help the Haven with a one-time gift. We welcome that! Again, go to our “give” page below to find out the different ways to give a one-time donation.

Because my church (Ren Church) gathers only twice a month on Sunday mornings in Providence, and because the small church gathering in Warwick I’m part of meets on Sunday afternoons at 4 pm—I am free to speak in churches for the purpose of benefiting the center. I have over 30 years of preaching experience and have preached thousands of sermons. I can speak on the mission of Haven, or I can speak on a requested theme. Because churches greatly vary in size, I don’t require a set amount for speaking but leave that to each individual church to decide. I’ll seriously come speak for $1 because I count it a great privilege to minister God’s Word wherever a door opens. —Scott

If you are compelled by the vision of Haven, forward the link to this website. You may not think you can help much, but when you spread the word amongst the people in your circles you are doing what we cannot do.

The final way you can help support the Haven is by renting the space or by letting others know the space is for rent. Not every event would work in our space. For example, the space isn’t conducive for weddings. We also have a no alcohol policy so that excludes a lot of events. Overall, we only want events that are aligned with the overall ethos of the Haven. Some possible uses that would be fitting would be a kids birthday party, a baby shower, a sports banquet, a church prayer retreat, practice space for bands, art workshop, and so on. Contact us if you have an idea, and we’ll let you know if we can accommodate it. We have a variety of different rooms for rent.

RabbitRoom (capacity 10-20) $50 / hour

Birdhouse (capacity 20-30) $75 / hour

Atrium (capacity 50) $75 / hour

Hexagon Hall (capacity 200) $100 / hour

The whole Haven (capacity 300) $250 / hour

Rentals are minimum 3 hours

Contact Scott if you’d like a tour of the various rooms or have other questions scott@renchurchri.org.