Category: CH Updates

Mentor Spotlight: JD Danielson

As we celebrate January as National Mentoring Month, we recently asked volunteer mentor, JD Danielson, to share some of his experience.

What made you interested in becoming a mentor at Christ’s Haven?

After stepping down as a ministry leader at church youth groups for over 15 years, I asked God where he wanted to use me in the next chapter of my life. He didn’t take long and through my wife, I heard about an opportunity to mentor a set of brothers at Christ’s Haven. I set up a meeting with Dan Franks and committed then to respond to this new calling God had placed on my heart.

What has been your favorite part of being a mentor?

This is a tough question because there are so many good things that come with being a mentor, but my favorite part is spending the one on one time with these young men and getting to see them grow and mature in all areas of life. From helping teach them how to drive, to picking out a tuxedo for prom, to getting to see them walk across the stage and graduate, it all brings much joy to my life.

What are the typical ways you interact with your mentee?

I love to interact with my mentees in several ways, here are just a few. Going out to eat, going to the movies, going bowling or to play laser tag, skateboarding, fishing, hanging out at my house and playing pool or ping pong, going to the mall, or one of my favorites; the summer youth trips.

Why would you tell someone it was important for volunteers to become mentors?

The most important reason is because the young people need us and they need the Lord. They need positive influences and encouragers in their lives. The other great reason is because of the blessing you receive when getting to know and grow with your mentee. It brings a sense of joy and fulfillment to your life as you serve others.

What skills or abilities does a good mentor have to offer?

There are no “special” skills needed to be a mentor, but I always use 5 qualities that I believe make a great Mentor and lead to maximum impact in the life of your mentee:

1 – Be supportive
2 – Be a good listener
3 – Push them… but just enough
4 – Be authentic
5 – Show them Christ’s love

Thank you to JD and all of our volunteer mentors for their support and dedication to the youth at Christ’s Haven. 

If you are interested, you can READ MORE HERE about becoming a volunteer mentor. 

New Playground at Christ’s Haven

Christ’s Haven’s neighborhood of homes recently received a renovated playground. 

Thanks to the generosity of donors Kenn Wardle & The Baird Foundation, youth living at Christ’s Haven have even more options to play and create childhood memories. 

Their generous donations funded two brand new playscape areas for younger and older kids, new swings, along with kid-friendly rubber mulch.

They playground is played on and enjoyed every day by youth living at Christ’s Haven. 

Thank you to our donors for believing in our Core Value of Normalcy and helping make these childhood experiences possible. 

Holiday Volunteers & Donors Spreading Christmas Cheer

It is because of the many holiday donors & volunteers that Christ’s Haven has been able to make this season so special. We believe every child deserves fun Christmas memories.

Your toy drives, donation collections, and volunteering make the holidays a special time and help provide Normalcy, Dignity, & Hope.

Keller Chamber 2
Scout Guide
The House Church gift cards
Methodist Southlake Medical Center
Ferdinand Family & The Key Church
20241213_120720
LDS Christmas Gingerbread houses
Home school group
Caprock Elem - Cereal Box Drive
Corning
Marsh
Medical City Alliance 2
Medical City Alliance 3
Renee & Family
Keller Chamber 1
Tarrant County 1
Tarrant County 2
Christmas lights

Thank to our generous Holiday Drive donors:

2020 Companies
Altrusa
Bear Creek Bible Church
Body Bar Southlake
Caprock Elementary
Child Hope Services / Gateway Church
Corning Optical Communication
Creek Stone Church
CRF International
CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC
Cub Scouts Pack 717
Custom Christmas Lights – Chuck Macheca
Deloitte
Dominion Equippers Homeschool
Greater Keller Chamber
Kava Culture
Keller United Methodist Church Journeys Group
Kona Ice
Marsh
Methodist Southlake Medical Center
Metroport Meals On Wheels
National Charity League – Keller

SOS International
Tarrant County Commissioner
The Barron Family
The Bongau Family
The Brandner Family and friends
The Brown Family
The Ehlers Family
The Goode Family
The Hays Family
The Hills Church
The House Church
The Key Church
The Scout Guide Southlake & Grapevine
The Vaughn Family
Tidwell Middle School
Tuesday Study Club
Turn 14

Abby LeBeau
Amber Jellison
Beth Downs
Cindy Pierce
Erica Adams
Gerald John
Jamie & Alex Stafin
John Crock
Jordan Belford
Karen Lewellen
Lesli Craig
Mandy Kimbell
Nicole Thomas
Noah Anzaldua
Rebecca Ruiz
Rollin Phipps
Travis Parker

Chapel Ribbon Cutting

Christ's Haven Chapel Receives Renovations & Updates

Christ’s Haven’s Chapel was recently renovated thanks to the support of Jami & Chris Kindle along with many of their colleagues and friends.

Throughout the last 12-18 months, the Kindles and their friends collectively raised funds, in-kind donations, and services to update both the Chapel interior and exterior.

Jami & Chris have a special connection to this spot on the Christ’s Haven campus, which goes back 10+ years ago when they were married in the Chapel. In the years following, they started volunteering at Christ’s Haven. From directing traffic at the Fall Festival to registration check-in at special events and even serving at the College & Career Professional Meet & Greet, they help in a variety of ways.

As the Chapel began needing repairs and updates, Jami & Chris took it upon themselves to gather support and make the renovations happen. This way of bringing along friends to raise support echoes a similar effort during the beginning years of Christ’s Haven when a group of friends raised funds together to purchase the land in Keller.

The Chapel will be utilized by Christ’s Haven staff for trainings and events as well as be available for private rentals for weddings, showers, and events.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the donors who helped make this renovation campaign possible along with VLK Architects for their guidance and renderings.

Family Resource Center Hosts School Counselor Lunch

Christ’s Haven’s Family Resource Center (FRC) enjoyed hosting school counselors from Keller Independent School District, Northwest ISD, Birdville ISD – Official Site, and Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District for a professional development training. JJ Blandford from With Counseling shared about the value of being trauma-informed in an education setting and how important it is for school counselors to also care for themselves.
 
Thank you to all of the school counselors for how they support students in our communities. As JJ shared today, their work “creates a ripple” that can make an impact in so many lives.

You can read more about Christ’s Haven’s Family Resource Center here. 

Announcing the 7th annual Christ’s Haven Fashion Show & Brunch – FLOURISH

Send the group text now to your co-workers, sisters, girlfriends, or daughters so no one misses out. The 7th annual Christ’s Haven Fashion Show & Brunch is on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at The Bowden Events & Weddings in Keller.
 
💐 Delicious Brunch Stations
💐 Entertainment & Program
💐 Spring Trends Runway Show
💐 Silent Auction
💐 Designer Bag Raffle
💐 Mimosas & Mocktails
💐 Wine Pull
💐 Boutique Shopping Experience
 
After the last few years of a sold-out event, we expect it to be another successful, fun, and meaningful way to support Christ’s Haven.
 

Christ’s Haven’s Inaugural Clay Shoot Results

$50,000+ RAISED at our inaugural clay shoot

We are thrilled to announce that thanks to your support at Christ’s Haven’s Inaugural Clay Shoot, $50,000+ was raised! The event was an overwhelming success and such a fun day of clay shooting for everyone out at Northlake Shooting Sports.

A special thank you to our Co-Chairs, Quinn Moser & Tim Philpot with Preservation Financial and our Presenting Sponsor, Compassion For Kids.

Funds raised will be used to help fund Christ’s Haven’s Residential Program, College & Career Readiness Program, and Family Resource Center for displaced youth and families. We appreciate all of the sponsors, attendees, and volunteers who made that happen.

Check out photos from the event and the event’s winners. We already can’t wait to do the event again in 2025!

1st Place: Greg Bronniman, Dean Scheiter, Jake Wylie, Ryan Younker

2nd Place: Buster Doherty, Bruce Long, Jordan Long, Jon Turmer

3rd Place: Christopher Millican, Dustin Millican, Samuel Millican, Steve Millican

To see all the pictures from this event, click here to visit the album on Christ’s Haven’s Facebook page.

Christ’s Haven Kids Embrace Adventure at Pine Cove Camps

Several youth from Christ’s Haven experienced unforgettable summer memories at Pine Cove Summer Camp. From splashing in the pool and playing sports to horseback riding and soaring on ziplines, there were all kinds of adventures. It was a week filled with fun, friendship, and memories that will last a lifetime.

This was all made possible by the generosity of Pine Cove Camps and Restoration Church. A group of members at Restoration Church put together a silent auction to raise funds specifically for Christ’s Haven youth to attend Pine Cove. Thank you!

Going away to camp is more than just a break from the norm—it’s a chance to have childhood experiences that every kid deserves. Whether it’s swimming, ziplining, or just hanging out with new friends, these moments of normalcy are so important for emotional and spiritual growth.

Christ’s Haven Chosen For Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grant

We’re proud to be selected for The Starbucks Foundation Neighborhood Grant, thanks to local Starbucks partners in our community.

Neighborhood Grants strengthen longstanding and newly established community connections that partners are nurturing and building as community champions, all in service of our neighborhoods. The organizations nominated in this round are empowering youth, fighting hunger, uplifting families, addressing homelessness and promoting environmental stewardship. You can find more information about the Neighborhood Grants on Starbucks Stories.

We’re grateful for the support in providing normalcy, dignity, and hope to the youth we serve at Christ’s Haven.

Left to Right:

Sarah Alexander – Store Manager, Starbucks, Deanna Estrada – Store Manager, Starbucks, Dawn Williams – Regional Director, Starbucks, Becky Rasbeary – VP of Development, Chris’ts Haven, Megan Allemand – Development Manager, Christ’s Haven, Kaleigh Lopez – District Manager, Starbucks