“My mission is to work myself out of a job,” said Hope Haven Executive Director Shirley Dane.

She made this comment to members of the Picayune Exchange Club Wednesday as she shared what the organization does, which is currently operating out of Waveland. 

The organization offers several programs, one of which is to provide forensic interview services to children who are the victims of sexual abuse.

Dane said this service allows the child to share their story only once. These interviews are provided to children in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties.

There have been times when a defendant has seen the video of the forensic interview and then admitted to the abuse, Dane said.

“It’s happening more and more,” Dane said. 

In addition to this service, the organization also offers a Darkness to Light program, which teaches adults how to recognize the signs of child abuse and the best method to report them. The program also offers insight into the best methods to stop the shame children feel from such abuse.

To help families who may have trouble paying their monthly bills, Dane said Hope Haven has a Helping Hands program, where a family can receive bill-paying assistance once per year. 

“There are lots of people that don’t have $100 to get them through to the next month,” Dane said. 

The Children’s Health fair held by Hope Haven allows children to receive a hearing and vision test, and dental exam.

For children who may be taken away from their families unexpectedly, the organization collects backpacks and pajamas as part of their Satchel Project. Dane said the project ensures children who are suddenly taken into custody by the Department of Human Services have something of their own

Hope Haven is 100 percent privately funded, and has enough set aside in operational expenses to run for the next 10 years, but is looking for donations to continue their many programs going. 

“We’re not going anywhere,” Dane said.