Tag: Mission 25

A Blue Christmas: Candlelight Vigil

This holiday season, if you find yourself grieving a loss, struggling with sorrow, facing any kind of difficulty, or navigating disappointment, we invite you to join us for a Blue Christmas Candlelight Vigil—a time to honor your loved one and to find comfort in community.

Through moments of quiet reflection, the glow of candlelight and shared understanding, we will create space for grief—acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay. This in-memoriam event provides an opportunity for expression, remembrance, healing and community during the holiday season.

In collaboration with Churubusco United Methodist Church, Columbia City United Methodist Church and Mission 25, A Blue Christmas Candlelight Vigil will be held at the Recovery Engagement Center.

Telling Your Story with Ciara Bolling and Jimmy Grindle

Gather at the Recovery Engagement Center for small group storytelling and conversation with local leaders, Ciara Bolling and Jimmy Grindle! Enjoy comfort foods served in an old-school classic Potluck dinner and relaxing table activities. This event is not meant for children under the age of 15.

Rooted Together: Growing Past Our Addictions & Traumas

Celebrate Arbor Day 2026 with a hands-on recovery experience at the Recovery Engagement Center! Growth starts small, and this event will help the growth spring into action.

Learn to connect the process of plant growth with the reality of recovery—both take time, consistency, and the right environment to prosper.

At this event, you’ll start something from seed, work with plant cuttings, and leave with a visual reminder that progress is happening even when results are not yet visible.

Evening Activities:

  • Learn the basics of plant propagation with seeds and cuttings
  • Decorate your own terra cotta pot
  • Plant something to take home and grow on your own
  • JOIN A PLANT SWAP — Swap a plant cutting with someone else
  • Feel refreshed with fruits, veggies, and infused water

Recovery Engagement Center: A Note on “Hope” from Joy Wagner

Posted on by Morgan Ellis

Mission 25’s Recovery Engagement Center helps us show love together

It’s been said that if you “do what you love,” you will “never work a day in your life.” Don’t get me wrong—I admit that it can feel like work every Monday through Friday. Some days are just plain exhausting when working in the recovery sector of social services. However, here is my absolute truth: I love the job I get to do every day. My passion for helping people rebuild their lives on their recovery journey is what fills my proverbial cup.

Working with Individuals in Recovery

People often ask me if it’s hard to work with “people like that.” It’s not usually intended to be an offensive, or marginalizing question. What I think they mean by asking me this, is “people who have come from hard places who are working to improve their lives.” The Mission 25 Recovery Engagement Center (REC) is truly the place for that healing work to happen.

I know people in recovery who consistently attend our 9:30 a.m. Monday morning journaling group, despite having worked the night shift, all for their own accountability and health.

I know people in recovery who have quit their life’s dependency on an extremely powerful synthetic drug, all so their child can come back home to live with them, entirely changing the trajectory of both their lives.

I know people in recovery who have completed all 4 levels of Mission 25’s Resident Program, moving into their own home through our Supportive Housing service line, and remain engaged within our recovery programming.

I know people who never, for one second, forget that Mission 25, and the REC, is their safe space during their recovery journey.

“Those people” fill my work calendar with meaningful meetings, appointments, sessions, groups, and plain-old chats over coffee. They make my job so much more than just a job.

What does the REC do?

This beautiful space, a sanctuary of hope and worship, modified to be a sanctuary of hope and healing, holds an important role in our community. The REC does the meaningful work of giving individuals and families a safe space. This space, full of support and accountability, helps people who are struggling with trauma and addiction. Community and compassion are what bring people in recovery back to this building.

The REC brings different pathways of recovery to Whitley County and Northeast Indiana. Each pathway is enriched with a schedule of recovery groups, bringing people together and meeting them where they are. And it’s no secret that all of these groups share one thing in common: people in recovery.

Those who attend our recovery groups and events can be fighting the same battles or climbing the same mountains as those sitting to the right of them. And each of those individuals understand and empathize with each other through those shared experiences—where paths of addiction set them back and paths of recovery lead them forward.

In all of recovery’s highs and lows, people know that peer support is available here at the REC. Whether in the beginning chapters or personal maintenance stage, we believe that community and connection are roots within the recovery journey.

My “Why”

“Giving individuals a positive, naturally lighted, plant-filled space to build a whole new, healthy community is ‘my why.’”

I, along with the entire Mission 25 team, value the shared experiences hosted within these walls. The promoted empathy and kindness work together to reduce shame and stigma.

Within These Walls

Within these walls, families undergo restoration. Strangers become comfortable with being vulnerable. Stories of personal journeys spark genuine inspiration. Friends find extreme joy and happiness. Individuals come together to help, support, love, and uplift one another until they each find their way out of the darkness. And despite some beliefs that those feelings wouldn’t be possible again, the REC proves them to be possible.

Mission 25’s work floods our community with hope. And the REC nurtures that hope with strong, healthy, sustainable connections beyond its walls.

Your support directly impacts the outcomes of our Recovery Engagement Center.

Click here to make a donation toward Mission 25’s Recovery Engagement Center.

Miami Village Community Center: A Note on “Hope” from Karen Hedrick

Posted on by Morgan Ellis

Mission 25’s Miami Village Community Center helps us show love together

Although I wasn’t a Mission 25 employee when the Miami Village Community Center (MVCC) opened its doors in 2020, I knew about the initiative and was enthralled with the concept of building a safe place for some of our community’s most vulnerable children. I’d never seen anything quite like the partnerships that formed within our community during the planning period. Opening MVCC’s doors caused a resounding “They’re worth it,” from so many of these community champions. Fast forward almost six years and I now have the privilege of supervising the program and the staff who give meaning to the phrase, “you’re always welcome here.”

Supporting a Community

When I first started supervising at MVCC, I knew the basics—students would be fed, staff would assist with homework, and age-appropriate activities and games would be offered. It didn’t take me long to realize that there was something unique and authentic about the program. I’m in awe of the environment that has been created, not only for school-aged students but the entire mobile home community.

One of my favorite memories from winter 2025 came after a significant snowstorm. School was closed for multiple days in a row and synchronous learning was required of students. Nothing stood in the way of our team’s ability to serve. We rolled up our sleeves and devised a plan to create a space where every student could participate.

Zoom sessions were pulled up for each student.

Materials were organized and ready for assignments.

Chromebooks were fully charged.

A variety of snacks and one large meal was offered.

Homework assistance was available when needed.

Parents came with shovels an hour before start time to shovel our drive and ramp leading into our trailer.

Community Partnership

The teamwork between our team and the community symbolized a unique and thriving partnership, created together.

MVCC’s positive impact of the work with these students is felt within our community.

“MVCC has been incredibly responsive to our students’ needs. This year, they started opening the center on synchronous learning days to support students and families. It’s great to be able to remind families whose students struggle to complete work on synchronous learning days that center staff is available to help and that extra Chromebooks are available for students who need them to access their school work. We appreciate the partnership of MVCC!” – Meggan Hoag

A Thriving Community

I’ve been in some form of education my entire life—the calendar in my head starts in August and ends in May. But summer months at MVCC are where enrichment, advocacy, initiative, and feeding the hunger of a child’s curiosity, BLOOM. Our summer days are filled with exploration, team-building activities, outdoor adventures, quiet moments reading books, and every single water or messy game you can possibly imagine. Each year, we embark on a fun-filled summer season starting every May. Let me tell you that in 2026, we are up for the challenge, sunscreen and all!

Working with the Miami Village community has taught me a different level of patience, adaptability, and leadership. It has also taught me what OST (Out-of-School-Time) looks like. On good days, it’s a playful, whimsical adventure. On rough days, we dry a lot of tears and help regulate flipped lids because life just isn’t fair.

No matter the day, the hour, or the season, it’s a block of time I wholeheartedly look forward to every single week. What an honor to serve the Miami Village community.

Your support directly impacts the outcomes of our Miami Village Community Center.

Click here to make a donation toward Mission 25’s Miami Village Community Center.

Drumming For Joy with Lindsay Sprunger

NEW cardio drumming offered every other Thursday morning from May 7 to July 16 at 9:37 a.m.
Arrive by 9:30 a.m. to get set up to move your body, clear your mind and find a little joy with Lindsay Sprunger through beginner-friendly cardio drumming! Just bring yourself wearing comfy workout clothes!
Not sure if this kind of cardio is your thing? We’re sure it is!
🩵 All ages welcome
🩵 No experience needed
🩵 Healthier mind and body
🩵 No cost to participate

2026 Driving Hope Golf Outing

Rally your best teammates to participate in the 2026 Driving Hope Golf Outing at the beautiful Eagle Glen Golf Club in Columbia City, Indiana!

  • Form a team of up to 4 players at $300 per team or $75 per individual player!
  • Team/Player fees include lunch, treats on the course, beautiful greens and “Driving Hope” Gift Bag!
  • Morning tee time is 9 a.m. EST.
  • Afternoon tee time is 1:30 p.m. EST.
  • Additional Golf Outing logistics such as cheats, silent auction details, and more will be shared as we get closer to the event.
  • BONUS: Eagle Glen offers a public, 18-hole, 72-par course with challenging layouts and memorable scenery!

At Mission 25, our mission is to foster recovery, champion prevention, and extend unwavering support to those rebuilding their lives.

Swing your heart out for our second annual Driving Hope Golf Outing. This outing is more than just a day on the greens—a celebration of resilience, transformation, and community impact. Every swing, putt, and step taken during the outing fuels critical programs that offer individuals a second chance at life in Whitley County.