Morgan Ellis, Author at Mission 25

PRESS RELEASE: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Mission 25 Announces Major Expansion with New Shelter Services Building

New facility estimated at more than $5 million investment in Whitley County

COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (April 24, 2024)—Mission 25, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting recovery and wellness in Whitley County and Northeast Indiana, is thrilled to announce a significant expansion with the construction of a new facility set to increase their capacity to serve more individuals. The facility, named Mission 25 Shelter Services, aims to extend the impact of Mission 25 within the community by providing enhanced recovery support and care.

“We are incredibly excited about the transformational impact that our new building will have on our community. With our increased capacity, we can expand our services and help more individuals in need,” Mission 25 Board Chair Matt Shipman said.

Mission 25 Shelter Services will serve as a level 3 recovery residence, enabling Mission 25 to support more individuals in the next level of recovery care. Additionally, the facility will introduce a new service line to support single fathers with children and increase the number of beds available for single men and women. The trauma-informed space has been meticulously designed to foster long-term success for those served.

The facility is slated for completion in early to mid spring of 2025 and will be located at 615/623 N. Opportunity Dr., Columbia City, Ind. 46725.

Mission 25’s ambitious project has been made possible through the generous support of several organizations. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA): Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) awarded Mission 25 the largest grant in the State of Indiana through the Opioid Settlement Matching Funds, valued at $3.2 million. In addition, $2.1 million in contributions between the Community Foundation of Whitley County (CFWC) and United Way of Whitley and Kosciusko County (UWWK) has been instrumental in financing the large-scale project.

“The Community Foundation of Whitley County has a trust-based relationship with Mission 25 for one reason – the grant dollars we’ve invested in the organization through the years have consistently resulted in impact,” Community Foundation of Whitley County CEO September McConnell said. “Day by day, the Mission 25 team chips away at the hardest issues facing our community: homelessness, addiction, mental illness and abuse. It’s the hard work that so many people choose not to see or think about until someone they love needs their help.”

In 2021, the CFWC convened local leaders to map out Next Level Whitley County, a cross-sector collaborative initiative to identify and address the most pressing needs in the community. As a result of that work, funds were raised to acquire land for the new facility as well as contribute toward the costs of construction.

The construction of Mission 25 Shelter Services is being led by Michael Kinder and Sons, with oversight from the building committee chaired by Todd Jones. The committee also includes Matt Shipman, Scott Allison, Cassie Bumbaugh, Kim Slater, John Lefever and Greg Matney.

“[Mission 25’s] services are vital to the overall health of our County,” McConnell said. “Where would we be without them?”

Prior to the conception of the Mission 25 Shelter Services building, the Mission 25 Recovery Engagement Center (REC) was remodeled in the fall of 2022 with programming launching in the spring of 2023. The REC is a dedicated community center that offers a supportive environment for individuals seeking recovery from addiction. With a range of recovery meetings, resources, and trained recovery coaches, the REC equips individuals with essential tools needed for their journey to sobriety. In the spring of 2024, the REC is celebrating its one-year anniversary of providing multiple pathways to recovery in a safe space in Whitley County.

For more information about Mission 25, visit Mission25CC.org.

Click here to view the rendering of the new Mission 25 Shelter Services Facility.

Media Contact: Morgan Ellis | morgan@mnepr.com | 260.610.6247

Time, treasure and talent is all we need

When we look to our community for support, we’re not just asking for monetary donations or managing a booth as a volunteer at our events. We’re also asking for unique talents. We’re asking for creative ideas. We’re asking for connections made with other humans. We’re asking for other meaningful ways of volunteering.

Instead of putting a callout to volunteer at an upcoming event, we invite you to think creatively about volunteering with Mission 25! In our true form of non-conventional thinking and innovative problem-solving, we hope you’re inspired to think the same way.

Three things to remember when considering a volunteer opportunity with Mission 25: time, treasure and talent. What time can you share with us? What treasures can you share with us? What talents can you share with us?

In our years of coordinating volunteers, we’ve stumbled upon several inventive ways to stay connected with our mission. Here are 10 unique ways of volunteering for Mission 25.

Creating something tangible to sell.
The hearts and souls of our community’s littlest innovators inspire us always. In 2024, we’ve connected with several local kids who have hosted their own fundraising events on behalf of Mission 25. One little girl in particular, Miss Olivia D. crafted pot holders to sell at her grandma’s garage sale. Miss Raelynn and Miss Evy sold lemonade, cookies and popcorn alongside State Road 109 for the Fourth of July.
Coordinating a garage sale.
Going through a spring cleaning phase at home? Consider a generous donation of your earnings to Mission 25 or any of our services. Our friends, the Tabitha Sisters, host an annual garage sale to show their support. With those funds, they generously donate other items that we need at our locations such as homegoods, foods, big items needed, laundry baskets and toiletries.
Providing transportation for our clients.
Our clients are always needing transportation to get to and from their appointments, place of employment, running errands and other jaunts like that. Most recently, a connection was formed in the front seats of a van from a veteran client to the veteran driver. Providing that service while connecting with another human is irreplaceable. Finding things in common with those we serve make for interesting conversations and connections.
Coming back to the “classroom” at Mission 25’s Miami Village Community Center.
Are you a retired teacher looking to get back in the “classroom” without actually getting into a classroom? We could use your elementary or junior-high education expertise at our Miami Village Community Center. There, we foster meaningful relationships with young minds and hearts while providing academic support and guidance. Some young minds could use a little extra help and encouragement. Listening to a child read their favorite book or work through word problems could end a tough day on a good note.
Sharing empathy and commonality with our clients who come from hard places.
The individuals we serve come from hard places. Hard places with hard pasts. In a world of stigma, we’re working to break them, one human connection at a time. If you have a story of your own, breaking your own barriers, connect with our clients and remind them that they are not alone.
Hosting an event for our clients.
Volunteer events don’t have to be boring! This past summer, a fourth and fifth grade group from First Church of God visited with our clients and hosted a “water day” outside in that sweltering summer heat. Water balloons, squirt guns, slip and slides and sprinklers riddled our lawn and cooled everyone off while laughing the whole time.
Preparing meals for our clients at Mission 25.
There’s nothing better than sitting down for a home cooked meal, especially when the table is full of friends and family alike. To prepare a meal for our clients would continue fostering relationships inside our doors among those we serve. And those are relationships that can last a lifetime.
Taking a client out to coffee.
Coffee and conversation make the best connections! We encourage engaging with our clients outside of our facilities, cultivating a meaningful, supportive, long-term relationship for the days after our clients leave our facility. Helping those we serve build their community through a cup of coffee will build a lasting impact.
Conducting a perishable or non-perishable food drive.
To keep our clients from going hungry and always allowing parents to put food on the table for their kids means having fully stocked pantries, shelves, fridges and freezers. It takes a community to build that nutritional wealth and we can’t do that on our own. Friends from the community generously built, installed and frequently stock a “Blessings Box” at Miami Village Community Center, which is tapped into daily.
Toilet paper.
Toilet paper and toiletries are crucial for our clients. Feminine hygiene products and bathroom essentials never stay on our shelves.

For Mission 25, nothing is done in a conventional way. Our team works to dismantle inequities among individuals who face risks of housing displacement, mental health challenges, substance use disorder, domestic violence and barriers to success. Providing pathways for recovery, prevention and support in a holistic way means that we consider every aspect of those individuals’ lives. These 10 innovative ways of volunteering for Mission 25 help us maintain our mission while covering every aspect of our clients’ lives.

If you’re interested in volunteering for us and have any questions, contact our team at info@mission25cc.org, give us a call at 260.244.5266 or head to Mission25CC.org/donate to make a donation.