Dave Butler is the Founder of the Safe Haven Project, Inc. Safe Haven is a multifaceted international HIV/AIDS service organization. Founded in 1993, Safe Haven has grown from a one week per year camp for children with AIDS, to offering programs in various states in the country and also having a presence in Ghana, West Africa.

Prior to creating Safe Haven, Dave Butler served as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force, and a health and physical education teacher in three Massachusetts Public School Systems. Currently, Dave is the Athletic Director and Dean of Students at Trinity Christian School in Williston, North Dakota.

Dave was inspired to create Safe Haven through the story of the late Ryan White of Indiana. Ryan’s story in the 1980’s inspired Dave to become an advocate for children living with HIV/AIDS at a time where there was great stigma and vast misunderstandings around the facts of HIV/AIDS. After witnessing the discrimination and struggles Ryan endured, and seeing the grace and dignity in which Ryan handled all his trials, Dave dedicated his life’s work in the memory of Ryan and still today is honored to continue the legacy of Ryan White through his work at Safe Haven.

Dave has a vision for Safe Haven to not only continue to be a leader in serving and advocating on behalf of children and youth living with HIV where it currently serves, but looks forward to opening new programs in new territories such as Ohio and the United Kingdom.

Dave enjoys many recreational activities such as cycling, jogging, travelling, and studying the martial arts. He currently holds a black belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate, and continues to advance in his studies of the martial arts. It is his faith, study of the martial arts, and support of his friends and family that enable Dave to continue in his work with children and youth living with HIV.