Over 600 people find refuge at shelter
Heart House celebrates four years this month
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

In the month of February people's thoughts turn to hearts. Craig Beckley is hoping people will also remember the Heart House and join him and others at their first annual fundraising dinner on February 20.

The Heart House is a homeless housing facility that became a reality four years ago in February. Since that time over 600 people have passed through the doors finding shelter at a time they needed it most.

Beckley, who is the administrator of the facility, noted that in the beginning critics thought the area they serve - Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, and Franklin - didn't have homeless people. They were wrong. On any given day there are about 30 people who seek refuge at the Heart House located off US 50 near Aurora.

Beckley emphasized, "If you want to help yourself, this is the place to be." He continued by saying the Heart House is a place for healing, a place to learn life skills that give people the opportunity to make it on their own.

When people come to the Heart House they are given shelter, food, and clothing if needed. They are offered assistance in looking for a job, getting child care needs for their families and much more. "One of the requirements they must meet is finding employment," noted Beckley. They are charged rent (minimal amounts) and must seek employment, obtain it and eventually they will be able to move out into affordable housing.

The Heart House now owns one phase of the Tanglewood Apartments in Versailles and by the end of this month will have purchased the remaining apartments there. These are low income apartments that make the transition of moving from the Heart House to an apartment an easier process. "It helps people get on their feet," Beckley noted. It also provides income to the Heart House, which has been funded primarily from gifts, grants and donations from the communities they serve.

Beckley noted that the communities have been very good to the Heart House, but added, "we don't want to be a drain on our communities." That's one reason they have bought the apartments and are now in the process of erecting a 24-unit storage building on the Heart House property. The units should be ready by the end of February and will be rented to the general public. This will generate revenue for the shelter.

The fundraising dinner set for February 20 at the Country Ridge Banquet Hall, is another way Heart House is helping themselves to off-set costs. The keynote speaker for the evening will be 9th District Congressman Mike Sodrel. Reservations must be made by February 13, by calling 812-926-4890 (Kris Hall).

Beckley noted that they run a tight ship at the shelter and operate on an annual budget of $150,000. Serving on some statewide boards for homeless shelters, he knows their organization has one of the smallest budgets in the state.

While the Heart House officials strive to be self-sufficient, they are very grateful for any donations, whether it be monetary or items needed. A lot of people pass through the shelter and the need is great.

Various groups and organizations have brought donations to the facility such as cleaning products, food, hygiene products and more.

With very limited homeless assistance in the area they serve, the Heart House has literally become a place of hope for those experiencing homelessness for whatever reason. Beckley invites anyone interested in knowing more about the facility to visit them. You can call for an appointment 926-4890 or just stop by.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Richard Kindler and Brian Johnson of Kindler Construction of Sunman, were working on the new storage units being built at the Heart House, Aurora. The 24-unit storage facility will be open to the public by the end of the month and will help generate money for operating expenses for the five-county homeless shelter.