The Heliotrope Foundation is collaborating with Za’Kiyah House to create The Sanctuary, a community center and transitional living space whose mission is to reduce drug addiction, recidivism and homelessness by meeting people in their most vulnerable states. Heliotrope first collaborated with Za'Kiyah House in 2021 to support in the creation of Donnelle's Safe Haven, a home for women returning from incarceration. The endeavor has been such a success that we have decided to keep it going by donating the Braddock Church that formerly housed the Braddock Tiles project to Za'Kiyah House, and helping them transform it into The Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary will become apartments, a social hall and a sanctuary space serving the community of North Braddock. It will address the housing discrimination faced by people with criminal records and strengthen family bonds by providing apartments where families can stay together, rather than risk having children lost to the foster care system.

While this work is local to one place, with its trauma informed model and restorative-justice based philosophy, The Sanctuary is creating a beacon that many other communities can steer by as we ask ourselves how we reckon with our notions of justice, and how we will learn to heal the intergenerational cycles of trauma that so often lead to devastating outcomes such as homelessness and incarceration.

After successfully fundraising and constructing a new roof we are now raising funds to replace the windows. There are 38 custom windows that need replacing as well as a large stain-glass window designed by Swoon, and hand crafted by local artists who are also members of the Za'Kiyah House community.  Our initial goal is to raise $50,000 with a stretch goal of $100,000 that will allow us to do even more to complete all window renovations to the church.

Visit our Sanctuary Kickstarter to learn more about the project and view our excellent collection of hand-crafted rewards you can receive by supporting our fundraising initiative! Be sure to check back regularly for updates, and new rewards will be added throughout the campaign which runs until Monday, May 30.