Who we are
HAVEN INTERNATIONAL is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in St, Paul, Minnesota.
HAVEN, Int’l exists to empower and provide support services to the community, including awareness, wellness advocacy, and limited legal representation. HAVEN provides services to less privileged, at-risk youths, people fleeing an abusive relationship, experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, or legal problems, as well as assists them in accessing available services. Our clients face barriers in the form of a lack of awareness and disparities, and we are committed to advocating for and educating them to ensure they get the help they need. We provide support to victims of crime, assisting them in navigating the justice system. We also provide support to members of the community in their grieving periods.
Our organization remains at the forefront of educating our community, particularly the vulnerable, on various topics such as immigration, mental health, domestic violence, gambling, nutrition, interactions with police, updates on COVID-19 and vaccines, and the use of technology. We have hosted several community conversations; in doing so, we collaborate with several community and cultural groups and places of worship. We provide safe platforms for the community, parents, and their youths to openly discuss issues of navigating the school system, mental health, housing needs, abuse, domestic violence, and mentoring activities, including tutoring. We also run a food shelf and distribute food and toys during Christmas.
Our Mission
Our mission is to serve communities with programs and services that promote and provide:
- Wholesomeness
- Food for the spirit
- Food for the soul and mind
- Food for the body
- Nourishing the body
- Empowering the mind and soul
- Quickening the spirit for a wholesome life
HAVEN − we are here for you!
Core Values
- Passion
- Compassion
- Action
Our passion translates into compassion, driving us to action.
Vision
To see everyone get the opportunity to live a wholesome life or at a minimum, chart the course of a wholesome life, within the confines of circumstances, belief systems, and resources.
Program Coordinators
Ngozi Akubuike
Ngozi is an accomplished facilitator and trainer on various issues such as wellness, mental health, gambling, domestic violence, and interpersonal violence for diverse populations and has trained providers, victims and professionals, and presented in various organizations, including churches and professional organizations within and outside the country. She teamed up with the United States Equal Opportunity Commission and the United States Department of Justice to provide training to state agencies on civil rights and Title I and II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She also collaborated with law enforcement officers in delivering seminars on domestic abuse and providing available resources. For several years, she helped plan the celebration of ADA in Minnesota.
Ngozi believes in collaboratively working with clients and stakeholders to build an equal-power relationship, considering all facets, and employing a multicultural approach and restorative circle that contribute to healing. A graduate of Restorative Circle Mediation training, she brings with her diverse career and varied experience in the area of mental health, disability, and counseling.
Emerald Egwim
Emerald has experience working as a consultant in several industries including financial services, marketing, technology and other service industries, which has given me a plethora of experiences in project planning and implementation. In all of her consultative roles, she has been responsible for managing and executing work streams within consulting projects including stakeholder interviews and share outs, primary and secondary research, quantitative and qualitative analysis and slide development. She is also responsible for managing client relationships, and part of that role is conducting quarterly meetings with clients to update them on work progress. Part of the update and preparing for the update includes creating a meeting agenda, executive summary and detailed PowerPoint slides on the project. She is responsible for auditing financial budgets, which includes ensuring that projects stayed within budgets and that project activities and budget are accurate.
Zenab Tiamiyu
Zenab is a young professional who has a passion for improving and promoting the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Zenab recently graduated with a Master’s in Public Health, with a primary focus on Maternal and Child Health and an emphasis on Epidemiology. During her Master’s program, she helped develop a program that teaches young people about influenza and how to advocate for prevention measures. She also assisted in the program evaluation of a Youth Healing program that helps young people work through trauma. Currently, she is also very involved in the youth ministry at her church. Zenab has and continues to work with organizations that allow her to fulfill her mission of bettering and advocating for children’s and adolescents’ well-being.
Isaac Uzoma
Isaac has a myriad of experience that centering around project and program management, community outreach and budgeting for various organizations. From 2016-2019, he worked and led projects with the City of Northfield, MN and partner colleges to implement a variety of volunteer events and opportunities, including the annual Community Development Week. Also, he has consulted for the Liberal Arts College’s Board of Regents on the development and construction of a multimillion dollar housing expansion project that was just completed in the Fall of 2022. Additionally, from 2019-2021, he tracked, compiled and reported treasury data for a state judicial campaign, as well as consulting for the campaign’s digital outreach strategies. He also worked with various state organizations, community members and stakeholders to deliver informational media content.
Dr. Abraham Akanni
Dr. Abraham Akanni is a seasoned speaker, trusted community leader, and a pastor. He has spoken within and outside the United States on various topics including health, domestic violence, back-to-school tips, and education. He also participated in the organization of the events. He is a counselor, an encourager, a motivator, and a mentor to the young ones. He assists the young ones with science and mathematics assignments. Recently, he set up a scholarship fund for any youth that achieve straight ‘As’ in their academic pursuits. Many youths took up the challenge and have taken advantage of the scholarships. Dr. Akanni also holds a degree in medicinal chemistry. At the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, he utilized his science background as well as his faith to dispel the myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
You’re never alone. We’re here to help.
For further questions about us and our programs, please don’t hesitate to contact us at your convenience. We’d love to hear from you.