History

Serving our community since 1998. Built on a solid foundation of quality services, integrity and genuine care for those we serve.

Haven of Hope was founded in 1998 by Davina Polanco, MS, CTRS. We are a licensed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) located in Santa Cruz County, serving youth in need of specialized support services. Our program provides 24-hour non-medical care and supervision for females and/or transgender youth and Non-Minor Dependents (NMD’s), between the ages of 12-18, who have been victims of physical, emotional, psychological, and/or sexual abuse.

In 2014, the decision to develop a Transitional Housing Placement + Non-Minor Dependent (THP+NMD) program was initiated and was also a natural transition towards self-sufficiency for the youth approaching adulthood in our care. Our program, STAY (Supporting Transitional Age Youth) is licensed to serve 15 young adults of all genders.

The STAY program allows Haven of Hope (HOH) to extend program services for Non-Minor Dependents (NMD’s), ages 18-21. This program offers the next step of independence and self-sufficiency for the young adults Haven of Hope serves and other NMD’s that wish to reside in the Santa Cruz County area.

Through this process, HOH is able to offer a safe environment for young adults to practice what they have learned and incorporate independent living skills on their own.