Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
LOOGOOTEE – A nonprofit recovery center in Loogootee that offers substance abuse counseling and housing to men following their incarceration was awarded $697,000 from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to build a new housing facility.
The city of Loogootee applied for the award on behalf of Behind the Wire Ministries, which has been providing services in Loogootee for the past two years.
OCRA and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch announced last week more than $2.9 million will be awarded to four Hoosier communities through the Recovery Housing Program. This program provides funding for communities to create stable and transitional housing for individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder.
Plans call for a new 2,200 square foot recovery housing facility to be built on the current campus. The building will include a dorm-style room for an additional 12 beds, restroom, laundry room, kitchen, cafeteria and living areas. The expansion will increase program capacity by 32%. Behind the Wire Ministries is providing a $3,000 match for the $700,000 project.
Currently, 19 men are living on the Loogootee campus, which includes a chapel and four houses.
Scott and Dannielle Highberger founded Behind the Wire Ministries, which began as a prison ministry and combines evidence- and faith-based practices. The program is certified as a Level 3 recovery residence in the state of Indiana.
“We have a program that helps them go from that destructive lifestyle to a productive lifestyle,” said Dannielle. “When men get out of prison, they usually don’t have help adjusting to life, finding a job. It’s a very big gap we’re trying to fill.”
Participants accepted into Behind the Wire complete a three-phase program that begins with 45 days of attending classes and receiving counseling. During phases 2 and 3, the men will hold down jobs and learn skills to transition back into society. Skills include budgeting, establishing or repairing their credit. They also get help finding permanent housing.
The program can take about nine months to complete but the Highbergers allow men who aren’t ready to leave to stay up to two years before leaving Behind the Wire. The Highbergers learned from the Southern Indiana Development Commission that Behind the Wire Ministries might qualify for state funding.
“We’re extremely grateful for this grant. One of the things we’ve wanted is a place for people to detox and this new facility will give us that,” Dannielle said.
All participants are screened prior to entering the program. Behind the Wire Ministries doesn’t not accept sex offenders. In addition to the Loogootee campus, Behind the Wire Ministries also works with residents at Next Steps Recovery Home in Jasper.
“Hoosiers combating mental illness and addiction deserve the best resources we can give on their road to recovery,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “These grants will provide each of these communities one key to recovery, stable housing. I look forward to seeing the impact this initiative will have across Indiana.”
OCRA is working in partnership with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction through RHP to build or rehabilitate facilities to provide temporary and supportive housing.
Scott Highberger said he hopes to have the new facility open by late summer of 2024.
“For those recovering from a substance use disorder, access to stable, transitional housing is an integral part of the recovery process,” said Christmas Hudgens, OCRA’s Community Development Block Grant director. “These Recovery Housing Program funds will help the recipients make an even greater impact in their communities. Our agency applauds these communities and organizations for taking action and working to improve the quality of life for Hoosiers that need it most.”
OCRA award recipients
Other programs receiving awards:
- Knox County, on behalf of Life After Meth, was awarded $750,000 in RHP funding for the purchase and renovation of two houses to be used as recovery housing facilities. Certified by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences at Level 2, these facilities will support recovery efforts of individuals seeking rehabilitation services for treating addiction and substance use.
- Huntington County, on behalf of Place of Grace, was awarded $750,000. The RHP funding will allow Place of Grace to develop a certified Level 2 Recovery Residence. The new residence will be made up of five complete apartments with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, laundry and dining/living areas. Each apartment can house up to four family members. This project will provide much-needed housing for women recovering from substance use disorders. The total project cost is $770,000, with subrecipient Place of Grace providing a local match of $20,000.
- The City of Kendallville, on behalf of Inspiration Ministries Inc., was awarded $750,000. The RHP funding will allow Inspiration Ministries Inc. to develop one National Alliance for Recovery Residences Level 2 Certified Recovery Home in Kendallville. This project will provide housing for those recovering from substance use disorders. The total project cost is $1,459,209 and Inspiration Ministries Inc. is providing $699,208.50 as a local match. The City of Kendallville is providing a $10,000 local match from the city’s National Opioid Settlement Fund.