HR193: HR193 Haven House; commend

This resolution honors Haven House, a shelter that grew out of the Flint Circuit Council on Family Violence Inc., a nonprofit founded in 1989 to advocate for women through the court system. The resolution recounts how the organization opened its original shelter in 1999 in a renovated building once known as the Hampton Boys Home, then expanded services over time to include financial assistance, support groups, transportation, and a food pantry alongside legal advocacy and case management. It notes that in 2011 Haven House opened a larger facility able to house 48 adults and children, with support from Henry County Commissioners. The resolution cites 2024 statistics on shelter stays, protective orders, crisis calls, and counseling sessions, and ties the honor to February 5, 2025, recognized as Stand With Survivors Day at the state capitol. The House directs the Clerk to send Haven House a copy of the resolution.

• Formally recognizes and commends Haven House for its work assisting domestic violence survivors and their families.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Haven House.
• Creates no new law, funding, or legal requirement; it is a ceremonial statement by the House of Representatives.

Haven House and its staff and board, the Flint Circuit Council on Family Violence Inc., domestic violence survivors and their children who use the shelter's services, and Henry County officials who have supported the organization.

The resolution has no legal or funding effect, but it publicly recognizes a Henry County shelter's role in housing survivors, processing protective orders, and responding to crisis calls, drawing attention to domestic violence services in Georgia.

• The whereas clauses describe Haven House's founding in 1989, its 1999 shelter opening, and its 2011 expansion to a 48-person facility.
• The resolution cites 2024 service statistics: 695 survivors sheltered, 292 temporary protective orders processed, 3,444 crisis calls, and 432 individuals counseled.
• The resolved clause commends Haven House and wishes it continued success but creates no binding obligation.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to provide Haven House a copy of the resolution.

1. 2025-02-06House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-06House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-06House Hopper (House)

• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)Primary sponsor
• El-Mahdi Holly (D, HD-116)
• Regina Lewis-Ward (D, HD-115)
• Clint Crowe (R, HD-118)
• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-074)
• Noelle Kahaian (R, HD-081)

• domestic violence services
• Henry County
• commendation resolution
• survivor support