Donors Like You: Timothy Yates Heggen Humanitarian Foundation

We are very small, but we are very committed to staying with the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter and helping as much as we can,” said Jan.

The Timothy Yates Heggen Humanitarian Foundation (TYH Foundation) acknowledges that its support of Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter has a direct impact on families in need.

The TYH Foundation was created to continue the legacy of the late Timothy Yates Heggen, who passed away at 18 from pancreatic cancer. Its mission is simple: to nurture compassion, courage and community both locally and globally. The foundation partners with various organizations and civic groups to support those in need of a helping hand.

The connection with Catholic Charities began when members of the TYH Foundation’s board of directors volunteered to serve a meal and take a tour of the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter. Jan Kuhl, CEO and one of the foundation’s founding members, recalls being deeply impressed by the shelter’s commitment to supporting families who are experiencing homelessness.

“I was speechless,” said Jan. “It was amazing to me to see how committed Catholic Charities is to the whole family and keeping everyone together in a secure place.”

Shortly after this initial visit, the TYH Foundation began funding bi-monthly grocery orders to help provide healthy breakfast foods for shelter guests. Over time, the foundation’s involvement grew. Today, the TYH Foundation provides weekly groceries for the shelter with a focus on providing fresh fruits, vegetables and meats.

“We started small by asking ‘What’s one thing we can do?’” said Jan. “Being able to provide these basic needs makes me feel very appreciative and grateful that we can do this at the TYH Foundation.”

“I feel great knowing the TYH Foundation’s support is making life-enhancing impact at the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter,” said Dr. Shannon Hood, TYH Foundation board member. “We know that children living at the shelter are receiving healthy food, which will also help to fuel their potential at school.”

The TYH Foundation’s vital support ensures our shelter guests have access to nutritious food. Their support enables us to consistently provide well-balanced meals that nourish families, promote health, and foster stability as they work toward self-sufficiency.

“We are very small, but we are very committed to staying with the Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter and helping as much as we can,” said Jan. “Generosity is small acts of kindness, giving hope to people in need, and that is what the shelter does every day for those families.”

To learn more about the TYH Foundation, visit tyhfoundation.org.

For more information on how you can get involved and support the mission at Catholic Charities, contact Director of Development and Marketing, Bobbi Jo Smith at 515-237-5064 or bsmith@catholiccharitiesdm.org.