Frequently asked questions
Using Haven
- What is Haven?
- Haven is a simple way to have real conversations with caring Companions, over the phone. It is for anyone who wants company, whether that is every day or once in a while.
- Is it really anonymous?
- Yes. Anonymity is the foundation of Haven, not an option. The people you talk to cannot learn who you are or reach you outside the app, and you cannot be reached by them.
- Who are the Companions?
- Companions are real people who want to offer their time and a friendly ear. Every Companion begins on a trial period during which we review their calls closely, and being a good Companion is something a person keeps earning. If that sounds like you, join the waitlist as a Companion.
- Am I ever talking to an AI?
- No. Every Companion is a real person, and every call is a real conversation between two people. Haven uses technology behind the scenes to keep conversations safe, never as the person you talk to, and we work to keep it that way.
- Are calls recorded?
- Yes. Every call on Haven is recorded and monitored, to keep everyone safe. It is a condition of using Haven, agreed up front when you join, not something decided call by call. Monitoring may also note the broad topics a person enjoys, never quotes or names. After a call, each person can mark the ones they loved or would rather not talk about again, and their companions see what they mark. See the recording notice for details.
- Is Haven therapy or a crisis line?
- No. Haven is good company, not a doctor, nurse, therapist, or an emergency service. If a conversation suggests someone is struggling, it does not go unnoticed: our team is alerted and follows up. If it is an emergency, contact your doctor or local emergency services.
- What does Haven cost?
- Haven has three monthly plans: Connect at $49.99, Depth at $124.99, and Circle at $199.99. Every plan is the full Haven; the difference is how much conversation it makes room for, and whether Haven also checks in on you. You subscribe inside the app through the App Store or Google Play; Haven never asks for your card on the web. See the Plans page for the full picture.
- When will Haven be available near me?
- Haven is opening in a few areas at a time. Join the waitlist and we will tell you the moment it reaches you.
- What if no one is free when I want to talk?
- Sometimes all our Companions are on other calls. When that happens Haven tells you so and asks you to try again in a few minutes. There is no queue and no hold, so nothing is lost by trying again shortly.
- Does Haven ever reach out to me?
- On Depth and Circle, yes: Haven can call you, so staying in touch never depends on you always making the first move. Depth includes a friendly check-in about every couple of weeks, and Circle about twice a week. Connect does not include check-in calls. You never have to pick up, and nothing is held against you if you would rather not talk that day.
For Companions
- How do I become a Companion?
- Haven is opening gently, a few areas at a time. Join the waitlist, choose "as a Companion", and we will reach out as your area opens. When you join, you choose a name to go by, tell us the languages you speak and what you like to talk about, and you are ready to start.
- Do I choose my own hours?
- Yes. Tell Haven when you are open to calls. Mornings, evenings, an hour here and there: your availability is yours to shape, and you can step away any time.
- Do I get paid?
- Yes. You earn for the time you spend on calls. Show up kind and steady, and the people you talk with can ask for you again: your book of regulars grows over time.
- Will the people I talk with know who I am?
- No. Anonymity is mutual: you never learn who the person on the other end really is, and they never learn who you are. The names you see are handles, built into the platform, not just a promise. And names are just names: no one can put an email, a link, or a phone number in the name people see.
- What does monitoring mean for me?
- Every Haven call is recorded and monitored for safety and quality, agreed up front by everyone as a condition of using Haven. Every Companion begins on a probationary path: your early calls get the most attention, which is there to support you as you find your feet. As you build a steady, kind track record, you earn more trust over time.
- What if a call turns heavy?
- Some calls turn heavy, and you are not expected to be a crisis professional. Stay kind and keep listening: Haven reviews calls for signs of distress and a real person follows up. If something feels off mid-call, you can flag it for review without ending the conversation.
For Funders
- Can I pay for a loved one?
- Yes. You will be able to fund Haven for someone you care about. They stay in control of their calls, and you only ever see whether their plan is active.
- Does my loved one have to agree first?
- Yes. A plan only begins once your recipient accepts it. You get a simple code to pass along, and nothing begins until they say yes. They can step back whenever they like.
- What will I see about their use of Haven?
- You will only ever see whether the plan is active, never their calls, minutes, or balance. Your recipient controls even that. It is a big part of what makes Haven easy to say yes to: a gift of company, with nothing to report back.
- Will they know the gift came from me?
- Your recipient sees the name you choose to share, and nothing else about who funds them: never an amount, your contact details, or your legal identity.
- Does Haven take a cut of my gift?
- No. 100% of what you pay goes to their calls. Haven takes no cut from what you give, so the full value of your gift becomes time on the phone for the person you care about.
- What happens if a gift ends early?
- If a gift ends before its last month, write to hello@havenforgood.com and we will refund any unused whole months.
Ready to start? Join the waitlist.