Hailing from New Hyde Park, New York, Chloe combines her experience leading shelter- and school-based programs with her passion for creative expression and community-building — for HAVEN, she will lead the storytelling curriculum and support day-to-day fundraising, marketing, recruitment, and program operations.
Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Connie combines her passion for movement and youth empowerment with shelter-based health research — for HAVEN, she will lead dance curriculum, evaluate program outcomes, and turn what she learns on the ground into stronger support for kids and families.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (#gobirds), Darlene brings together her interests in science and art as an educator — she will lead the visual arts curriculum, build HAVEN’s model, and coordinate implementation to create a safe space for children to be joyfully creative.
Chloe, Connie, and Darlene met their freshman year of college.
Though their wide-ranging individual interests in housing, youth education, health, and the arts have always been grounded in their commitment to service.
Four years of working with children in Philadelphia led them to found HAVEN in response to the lack of consistent, structured enrichment for children living in family shelters.
The memories of their own childhoods, of movement and storytelling, became ways to create joy together.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
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Founded in 2026
Philadelphia, PA
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The Daily Pennsylvanian
HAVEN recognised among four winning projects addressing homelessness, healthcare access, workplace safety and energy efficiency.
Penn Today
HAVEN named one of four winning projects from a pool of 67 applicants, with $100,000 to launch the program after graduation.
The HAVEN team on campus after the prize announcement.
HAVEN, a winning project of the 2026 President’s Engagement Prize developed by three fourth-year undergraduates, will launch an after-school program for K–5 children at Jane Addams Place, a homeless shelter in North Philadelphia.
“What brings us together is how we use our knowledge for service,” says Chang.
Leohansson describes the ability “to connect with children in Philadelphia” as the “greatest honor and privilege.”
“We are unbelievably grateful for this opportunity to bring HAVEN to life and to serve our families at Jane Addams Place,” Ni wrote.
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HAVEN is one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Across Philadelphia, we’re grateful to work alongside organizations supporting children and families in different ways and to build something stronger together.
