We were lucky to catch up with Heaven Green recently and have shared our conversation below.

Heaven, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Ayanna Haven Foundation was established in loving memory of my daughter, Ayanna, who tragically lost her life in a house fire in McKeepsort, PA, in 2014. This devastating event left me and my surviving children in the midst of relocating to a new state, rendering us homeless without any support or resources.

In the midst of grieving for my daughter, the harsh reality of our situation set in — we were left without a place to call home, uncertain about our future, and struggling to meet even the most basic needs. This struggle was particularly challenging, given the added responsibility of caring for 3 surviving children one being a 6-month-old baby.

Faced with the overwhelming challenges of finding shelter, providing for my family, and coping with the loss of my beloved daughter, I began documenting the obstacles I overcame during this difficult time. The vision for Ayanna Haven Foundation emerged from a deep desire to ensure that no one else would have to endure the heartache, uncertainty, and desperation that my family experienced.

It became apparent that unexpected tragedies, like the loss of a child, can lead to unforeseen financial burdens. In my case, funeral expenses for Ayanna further compounded our struggles, leaving us without the means to secure housing, food, clothes, basic necessities, etc. Complicating matters, traditional resources, such as the Red Cross, were unable to provide assistance due to the complex nature of our situation spanning multiple states.

Ayanna Haven Foundation aims to be a beacon of hope for those who find themselves in similar dire circumstances. Our mission is to offer support, resources, and a sense of security to individuals and families during the burial of a loved one, facing homelessness or financial distress after the loss of a loved one. We strive to ensure that no one is left without a place to call home, and no grieving family is left to navigate the complexities of life without essential support.

Through Ayanna Haven Foundation, we hope to honor Ayanna’s memory by providing solace and assistance to others during their most challenging times. Together, we can turn tragedy into triumph and create a haven for those in need.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Heaven Green, the visionary Founder of the Ayanna Haven Foundation, hails from the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1982. Growing up, her life journey took her through various neighborhoods, offering a unique vantage point to witness both the struggles and the moments of resilience in her community. Heaven’s formative years coincided with a challenging era, characterized by the presence of gangs in her surroundings. During this time, she saw too many parents bearing the heart-wrenching burden of burying their children. These early experiences opened her eyes to the initial stages of the pain and heartache that such losses bring. In transition of a significant move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Heaven’s life took an unexpected turn. A devastating fire in Pennsylvania claimed her home and the life of her daughter. This tragic event shattered her world and presented her with the unbearable task of burying her child, all while navigating the complexities of relocating with her surviving children. The financial resources she had set aside for their fresh start were redirected towards the burial and the process of rebuilding their lives. The move to a new town posed additional challenges as Heaven grappled with a lack of resources and support for her family’s journey to recovery. Fortunately, life insurance provided them with a roof over their heads. Yet, the path to healing was far from straightforward, as she continued to grapple with the ongoing grief and emotional aftermath of her daughter’s loss. It was during a poignant visit to her daughter’s grave that Heaven found the inspiration to create the Ayanna Haven Foundation. This remarkable organization was born out of her desire to support families who had experienced the devastating loss of a child due to tragedy. The foundation became a source of strength, resilience, and inspiration for those grappling with the pain of loss and adversity. Heaven Green’s mission became clear: to help families find the fortitude to push through adversity and emerge stronger together. Heaven’s unwavering dedication to helping others has become a beacon of hope for those in need, as she exemplifies the power of teamwork and resilience in the face of life’s most formidable challenges. The Ayanna Haven Foundation stands as a testament to her commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who have experienced unimaginable loss and are seeking the strength to rebuild and carry on.
Raised in Pittsburgh, Heaven graduated from Penn Hills High School and embarked on her educational journey at Edinboro University, where she majored in Education. Her thirst for knowledge and the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others led her to Pittsburgh Job Corp, where she acquired a certification in Business Office and Technology. Furthering her education, she graduated from the Academy of Court Reporting with an associate degree in legal studies, specializing as a Paralegal. She is also an alumnus of Perdue Global University where she received her bachelor’s in science with a focus in Paralegal. It was during this phase of her life that Heaven realized her deep-seated passion for helping individuals who lacked the job experience required to secure meaningful employment. However, her limited practical experience beyond her education posed a challenge, forcing her to take on various jobs to provide for her children.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Keeping in touch with the clients is personal. We are dealing with families who have just lost a loved and emotions are all over the place. Trying to reach out just so that they know that they are not alone and they have someone to grieve with . Also just reaching out so they know that they are not al.one. and when someone say they are there that is what they mean. Not to over do it but just a shout out to say hey and leaving the door open to have someone to say nothing at all. Or to get or tap into resources.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Being able to pull myself together, put a roof over me and my children’s head, Not giving up and teaching not only my children that we have to turn this into good and do everything that she will not be able to do and make her proud. we kept pushing and fighting as a team. I also was able to not only start Ayanna Haven Foundation, I was able to finish getting my bachelors degree in Legal Studies. And began a new business drawing up legal documentations. Also helping people with understanding of legal wording as well as making sure when people are filling out documents they have an understanding of what they are filling out or signing?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ayannahavenfoundation.com
• Instagram: ayannahavenfoundation
• Facebook: Ayanna’s Haven Foundation
• Linkedin: Ayanna Haven Foundation
• Twitter: [email protected]
• Youtube: Ayanna Haven Foundation
• Yelp: Ayanna Haven Foundation