Awards
The founder of Safe Havens for Little People, Karen Justice-Guard, recieved The East Bay Award for her committment to making our communty a better place to live and work.
Karen Justice-Gaurd was the Guest Speaker at the Walnut Creek Lions Club and was awarded this certificate as an expression of their appreciation.	Diablo Magazine honors Karen Justice-Guard and Safe Havens as a nominee for the Threads of Hope Award for outstanding work in the community.
Safe Havens received the Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly for their contributions to the community.	After a speaking appearance for the Rotary International Club, Clayton Valley / Concord Sunrise, District 5160, Karen Justice-Guard was honored with Service Above Self award.
Karen Justice-Gaurd was awarded the Soroptimist International Of the Americas.     Soroptimist International Of San Ramon, California presented The Women Helping Women Award to Karen Justice-Guard for her outstanding commitment to improving the economic and social welfare of women in the community.

Endorsements

Dear Karen,

Varian, Inc. has committed to investing the money needed to renovate its cafeteria kitchen in order to accommodate the restaurant and catering training needs of Safe Havens for Little People Welfare to Work Program. It is the Company's desire to see this corporate and community partnership evolves into a gateway for men and women who are transitioning from dependency to self-sufficiency. This innovative partnership with Safe Havens for Little People Welfare to Work Program will provide a supervised, learning environment.

The Company is also recommending Safe Haven for Little People to its employees as one of the choices for voluntary payroll-deducted charitable contributions. The Company will make a matching contribution of 25% of employee contributions.

Marilyn Noffsinger
Human Resources

 

 

Dear Safe Havens for Little People,

The UPS Eastbay District received over 65 applications for the 2000 Region District Grant. Our employees have been very active in the community and were instrumental in identifying Bay Area agencies that could benefit from the help of United Parcel Service. After careful deliberation, the 2000 East Bay District Grant Committee has selected Safe Havens for Little People as our candidate for this year's $100,000 grant.

Safe Havens for Little People has demonstrated the most compelling need for our help. Without our assistance, we were convinced that this agency would not be able to continue the outstanding service that they provide to women and children in Contra Costa County.

Founded by Karen Justice-Guard, a single mother who has experienced the pain and challenge of addiction and dependency firsthand, Safe Havens for Little People is a refuge for women who have taken the daunting step of leaving an abusive situation and begun the path to rebuilding their lives. These women often have no marketable skills or support mechanisms and the Safe Havens for Little People Resource Center would be the only facility of it's kind in Contra Costa County to give them the skills necessary to enter the job market and provide for their families.

We were deeply moved by the vision of Karen Justice-Guard and the support she has gathered from the local community and Contra Costa County Human Services. An award in the amount of $25,000 is guaranteed to Safe Havens for Little People as the East Bay District's grant choice. The UPS Foundation will announce the recipient of the $100,000 and $50,000 grant in October of 2000.

Sincerely,

Dana Bailey
2000 Grant Committee Chair
United Parcel Service
East Bay District

 

 

Dear Ms. Guard:

We, the National Association of Women in Construction, Chapter #268, would like to praise you on your efforts with Safe Haven for Little People. Your hard work, determination, and willpower with this project in the Contra Costa County community are needed and greatly appreciated. Helping women to re-enter the job market can only benefit them, and the society in which they live.

We also would like to extend our support and partnership with you in the development of your proposed facilities and in the mentoring of women trying return to the workforce.

Sincerely,

Rachelle Gaustad Remington
President - Chapter #268
National Association of Women in Construction

 

 

Dear Karen:

Congratulations on the establishment and success of Safe Haven.

A simple vision five years ago, you have brought forward an organization that is truly commendable.

Castle Companies would be happy to contribute some carpenter labor and material in support of the project of building the training-resource center for Safe Haven for Little People.

May you have continued success dedication in helping the children of California.

Sincerely,

Louis R. Baldacci
Castle Companies

 

 

Dear Karen,

It is the decision of the Board of Directors, of the Contra Costa Builders Exchange, to endorse the Safe Havens for Little People program.

We recommend and challenge our members to support the project of building the training-resource center for Safe Havens for Little People. By contributing material and labor we feel our members can make a difference to those that matter, the children.

The Contra Costa Builders Exchange is dedicated to helping our community and look forward to working with you and Safe Haven.

Sincerely,

Denice McDavid
Director

 

 

To whom it may concern:

My name is Ronna Stice, I am the coordinator of the "Seal in a Smile" Dental Sealant Program of the Contra Costa County Public Health Department.

Dental disease is the number one preventable disease effecting children today. Dental Sealants are a plastic coating painted on the permanent molars. These seal the pits and groves of undecayed teeth where children most commonly get cavities.

This service is free of charge to needy uninsured families. Our program operation relies on grants and donations.

I am so eager to offer our services to the Safe Havens Program for Little People. We have a volunteer dentist to come and do dental exams and place sealants on children's teeth.

We have portable dental equipment and can set up a dental office at the Safe Havens for Little People Center. This equipment is capable of not only dental sealant placement, but also teeth cleanings and fluoride treatments.

Ronna Stice
Sealant Program Coordinator

 

 

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter offering my support for the work that Karen Justice Guard is doing with the Safe Havens for Little People Program.

My name is Lynn Pilant. I am a Dental Hygienist with the Contra Costa County Child Health and Disability Program. Our program links children with medical and dental services through wellness exams. We committed to assisting the clients that Ms. Guard serves by helping them to access these services through referrals to county clinics. When dental disease is identified they are given follow-up from a variety of funding sources.

Our program can also provide dental health education on a variety of topics, including care of children's teeth and baby bottle tooth decay prevention. These can be made available on an ongoing basis.

I am very anxious to assist Ms. Guard in her very worthwhile efforts.

Sincerely,

Lynn Pilant RDH, BS
Public Health Program Specialist