About Us

Friendship Safehaven, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) faith-based non-profit designed to provide children and youth – particularly those that are either underrepresented or underserved in society – with safe, fun and free programs that will enrich their moral, physical, social, educational, and psychological fitness. A primary focus of Friendship Safehaven, Inc. is to help children and youth learn all aspects of dramatic presentations. All too often, they are enthralled by movies filled with violence, profanity, and sexual innuendos. We work to counter the world’s negativity by offering enjoyable alternatives through our programs. At our core, we seek to increase their access to the cultural arts, and foster a sense of friendship and community.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to produce confident, self-disciplined, articulate, creative and responsible, children and youth from underserved families who will learn to think for themselves, lead healthy lifestyles, develop good leadership skills, and contribute positively to society. We believe that all children have untapped potential and providing a strong foundation is the first step in unleashing it.

Vision Statement

Our vision is that all children can develop and/or improve communication, public speaking and leadership skills; develop and/or improve self-esteem and self-confidence; and learn discipline by embracing the cultural arts.

History

Friendship Safehaven, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was incorporated on May 21, 2007. The organization began as an outreach ministry for Friendship United Methodist Church and took on a life of its own. In 2008, the United Methodist Church’s Regional Office awarded the Safehaven a $10,000.00 grant as seed money in connection with our Change for Children program. In the Spring and Winter of 2008, the Safehaven held drama workshops at Friendship United Methodist Church each Tuesday night for 9 weeks. There were 14 participants enrolled in the Spring program.

The Safehaven also started a Girl Scout troop that continues to meet weekly at the church. During the summer of 2009, Safehaven volunteers conducted weekly workshops each Friday with a group of 25 to 30 low-income children and youth at the Baker Community Center in Millington, TN through a partnership with Dreams Ministries. The youth were enrolled in self-improvement classes one of which included the memorization of the poem “I’m Determined to be Somebody, Someday” by Herbert W. Brewster.

The Safehaven also conducted Saturday workshops for 4 weeks during August 2009 at the Millington Housing Project’s abandoned Mini Police precinct. On September 12, 2009, the Safehaven started the MASK program (Mid-South Arts Safehaven for Kids) at the Baker Community Center. The Safehaven has its own office and its own Board of Directors (a cross-section of the Millington and Memphis communities) and is headquartered at Friendship Church, 6220 Highway 51 North, Millington, TN. The Safehaven does not have permanent staffing and is operated primarily by volunteers.