Southern Indiana Living magazine is the exclusive publication of the region, offering readers a wide range of coverage on the people, places and events that make our area unlike any other. In SIL readers will find beautiful photography, encouraging s
Issue link: https://silivingmag.epubxp.com/i/437669
Jan/Feb 2015 • 18 foster kids at night." Although by then the Sisters had moved into another facility to make room for their charges, they saw the need to further expand the ministry. It was about this time that Sister Barbara discovered that the Georgetown property was avail- able. "It belonged to the (Indianapolis) Archdiocese," she says. Although she had no negotiating funds, Sister Barbara met with church ofcials. Surprisingly, that resulted in the owners donating the grounds. But there was a condition. "It was a $168,000 gift," says Sister Barbara. "We had three years to begin to develop it; if that didn't happen, we had to give it back." With God's blessing, as well as a community that embraced the efort, and tireless work of the Sisters and other staf, development was not only be- gun, but completed. The Sisters had seen a need for fam- ily involvement, Sister Barbara says. "We noticed many children returning. They would call their caseworker and say that Mom had fallen of the wagon, or what- ever, and ask to come back. We were get- ting the same kids over and over. One out of two kids was returning." So in 2000, the Family Unifcation Program was initiated, starting as six campus apartments. Then when Provi- dence House, the on-campus house that began as a youth shelter, closed because of a change in state funding, Sister Barba- ra saw an opportunity to expand the mis- sion that includes Patchwork House and Reunifcation Apartments. Dr. Liz England, the clinical director, explains that Patchwork House provides intensive, closely supervised living expe- rience for up to six Division of Family and Children (DFC) involved mothers and/or fathers and their children. When families are ready, they may move into one of the six campus apartments that provide sup- port with less supervision. "We consider Michelle (Harris) one of our greatest successes," says England, referring to the family reunifcation pro- gram. Harris says: "My life change in the last year has been huge. I have done a 360-degree turnaround. Providence House gave me a great foundation to help build on and grow for the rest of my life. I am grateful to Liz and her staf. I have learned parenting skills, relationship skills, how to trust others and to be inde- pendent. "Once, all I could think of was get- ting my next fx. Now I have my son and I think I am a good mother. I have goals. I want to get my driver's license, more edu- cation and to become fnancially stable." And that nice smile? Visible evi- dence of her life change, says Harris. "Af- ter 15 years of beatings and drug use, my teeth were such a mess, I didn't want any- one to see me smile." Now, thanks to good dental work and a healthy lifestyle, she has a smile that can light up a room. "Now, I am proud of my smile," she says. • Current Programs • Family Preservation Program, be- ginning in 2000 and serving 94 fami- lies and their 214 children. • Patchwork House for families and children, which began in 2012, has served 19 families and their 34 chil- dren. • Guerin Woods Apartments, 22 two-bedroom apartments for older adults with limited incomes opened in 2005 and has been home to 45 in- dividuals. • The Meadows of Guerin apartments for well/independent older adults with limited incomes opened in 2009 have been home to 37 people. The Meadows consists of 24 one- bedroom apartments and one two- bedroom apartment. • The Villas of Guerin Woods have provided assisted living and skilled nursing for people 62 years and old- er. The Villas opened in 2008 and have been home to 163 frail elderly people. • Guerin Woods Senior Center, opened in 2005, has served 850 indi- viduals Moving Forward Supported by a waiting list of 60 eligible people, a $2 million capital campaign is underway. Plans are to build two ad- ditional Villas for personalized care for individuals living in long-term-care and assisted-living situations. One of these buildings will be designated for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Do- nations are being accepted, with pledges payable until December 2017. *For more information, to schedule a tour of a current Villa, or to make a do- nation, contact Sister Barbara Ann Zeller, 812-951-1878.