About Safe Haven

Compassionate, structured support for families in Southern California

Safe Haven Resource Foundation helps parents and caregivers navigate child welfare systems through educational advocacy, clear resources, and trusted community partnerships.

Mission and story

Safe Haven was built by people with lived experience who saw families struggle to find clear next steps in moments of crisis. Our mission is to provide calm, actionable support that helps parents advocate for their children with confidence and dignity.

We focus on educational advocacy and clear guidance, including complaint documentation support, workshops, and one-on-one consultations that help families prepare, organize, and move forward.

Community members serving families during a neighborhood outreach event

Family voices

Families tell us Safe Haven helps them feel informed, supported, and less alone

The work we do is grounded in compassionate advocacy, clear information, and community support that helps parents move forward with confidence.

I am grateful for the support Speak Safe has provided during one of the most challenging times in my life. Their guidance helped me better understand my rights and advocate for myself with more confidence. Read more
I am grateful for the support Speak Safe has provided during one of the most challenging times in my life. Their guidance has helped me better understand my rights, stay organized, and confidently advocate for myself throughout my case. Navigating these systems can feel overwhelming and isolating, but having access to support like Speak Safe made a meaningful difference in how I was able to respond and move forward. Organizations like Speak Safe are essential for parents and families who need clear information, support, and a voice during difficult situations. Their work not only empowers individuals but also helps create a more informed and supported community. I truly believe their services can make a lasting impact for many families in need.
Parent and community supporter
Safe Haven Resource Foundation has been a huge help to me during a very overwhelming time. They guided me in the right direction and explained things in a simple way. Read more

Safe Haven Resource Foundation has been a huge help to me during a very overwhelming time. Navigating the juvenile dependency and family court system is confusing, but they guided me in the right direction and explained things in a way that was simple and easy to understand.

They also provide a strong sense of community—I’ve been able to connect with others going through similar situations, which has meant a lot.

I’m truly grateful for their support and highly recommend them to anyone dealing with juvenile dependency or family court.

Parent review
Before I connected with Safe Haven Resource Foundation, I felt completely lost. I didn't understand the court process, and I felt like no one was listening to me. Read more

Before I connected with Safe Haven Resource Foundation, I felt completely lost. I didn't understand the court process, and I felt like no one was listening to me.

After working with Safe Haven, everything changed. They took the time to explain the process, answer my questions, and help me understand what steps I needed to take for my family.

What stood out most was that they genuinely cared. I wasn't treated like a case number. I was treated like a parent who needed support.

Parent review
Safe Haven Resource Foundation was there for my family when we felt like we had nowhere else to turn. Every time I reached out, someone responded with compassion, patience, and knowledge. Read more

Safe Haven Resource Foundation was there for my family when we felt like we had nowhere else to turn. Every time I reached out, someone responded with compassion, patience, and knowledge.

They helped me understand resources that were available to my family and provided information that I had never been given before.

Knowing that Safe Haven was in my corner made all the difference.

Parent review
When I first contacted Safe Haven, I felt overwhelmed and alone. They helped me organize my documents, understand what was happening in my case, and identify resources that could help my family. Read more

When I first contacted Safe Haven, I felt overwhelmed and alone. I was trying to navigate a system that seemed impossible to understand.

Safe Haven helped me organize my documents, understand what was happening in my case, and identify resources that could help my family.

The support I received went beyond advocacy. They offered encouragement when I felt defeated and reminded me not to give up.

Parent review

Who we serve

Parents and caregivers

Families seeking clear guidance, free forms, and educational resources for advocacy and documentation.

Community partners

Social workers, nonprofits, and local organizations connecting families to helpful support pathways.

Volunteers and advocates

People who want to support family stabilization through outreach, workshops, and community collaboration.

Leadership and team

Meet the Safe Haven team and the lived-experience leadership behind our family support work.

Portrait of Latesha Howard

Latesha Howard

Founder & CEO, Safe Haven Resource Foundation

With over 20 years of experience in real estate, I have spent my career helping people navigate major life decisions, solve problems, and build stability for their families. I have always been someone who advocates for others, but nothing prepared me for navigating the child welfare system myself.

When I stepped in to care for my nieces and nephew, I was committed to giving them a safe, stable, and loving home. Despite my efforts, and despite doing everything I knew to advocate for them, they were removed from my care. What I learned through that experience is that the outcome was not about my ability to parent, it was about not having the knowledge, resources, and guidance needed to navigate the system effectively.

I lost custody not because I did not fight, but because I did not know my rights. That experience changed everything.

It opened my eyes to how many families are placed in impossible situations simply because they lack access to information and support. Families are expected to navigate complex systems without a roadmap, and the consequences are life-changing.

My purpose now is to make sure no other family walks into these situations unprepared. Through Safe Haven, I am committed to helping parents understand their rights, access resources, and advocate for their families with confidence. Because no family should lose their children due to a lack of knowledge.

Portrait of Sean Gordon

Sean Gordon

Program Manager, Safe Haven Resource Foundation

My name is Sean Gordon and I proudly serve as Program Manager for our organization. I believe leadership is about being dependable, respectful, and making sure people feel heard and valued. I take pride in helping our organization grow while also making sure things stay organized, financially responsible, and moving in the right direction.

I have always been someone who believes in strong communication, teamwork, and leading by example. Whether I am helping make important decisions, managing responsibilities behind the scenes, or supporting the people around me, I give my full dedication to everything I do.

More than anything, I want people to know me as someone who is genuine, hardworking, approachable, and committed to making a positive impact wherever I can.

Portrait of Mimi Howard

Mimi Howard

Parent Partner, Safe Haven Resource Foundation

With over 15 years of experience in managed care and extensive knowledge of the Medicaid and Medicare systems, I am dedicated to advocating for families navigating complex and often overwhelming social service systems. My professional background includes providing compassionate case management, family advocacy, crisis intervention, and resource coordination for vulnerable populations, with a strong focus on preserving and reunifying families impacted by Child and Family Services (CFS).

I have spent 10 years working in social work and educational support settings, helping families access critical community resources, educational services, and behavioral health support while ensuring their voices are heard and respected throughout the process. My work is grounded in trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity, and a deep commitment to family-centered advocacy.

In addition, I bring 6 years of involvement in social justice and civil rights initiatives, including work alongside organizations such as the NAACP, where I supported efforts focused on equity, community empowerment, and systemic reform. I am passionate about protecting the rights of children and families, promoting accountability within public systems, and helping parents successfully overcome barriers to reunification and stability.

My mission is to empower families with the knowledge, support, and advocacy they need to navigate difficult systems with dignity, confidence, and hope.

Community impact

  • Verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Southern California families
  • 200+ families supported through advocacy education and guidance
  • Workshops and collaboration with local community partners

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