Lighthouse Mission to Break Ground in Downtown Wabash

Lighthouse Mission of Wabash County will Friday break ground on its new location in downtown Wabash. The nonprofit retail thrift store says it will use the space inside the former Plain Dealer building to provide services, including free clothing for job interviews.

Renovations to the building are set to begin later this month with completion scheduled for May. The building previously housed the Wabash Plain Dealer newspaper and the Wabash County Redevelopment Commission has been working to transform it into social services hub for the community.

The organization says the new location will also be used to provide transportation to area shelters, as well as offering vocational and developmental opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged residents.

“We are excited about the new opportunities we have at the former Plain Dealer building to provide important social services to Wabash County citizens,” said Brian Haupert, president of the Wabash County Commissioners. “By making these resources easily accessible at a single location, we hope Wabash County residents will be able to find the supports they need to lead fulfilling, productive lives. We are proud to see Lighthouse Mission taking the lead and becoming one of the first of these organizations to relocate downtown.”

Lighthouse Mission Board President Kristi Clark says the nonprofit has raised $130,000 of its $200,000 in just one month.

Grow Wabash County says Lighthouse Mission will be the first of the social service organizations to set up shop in the Plain Dealer building. The organization says F.I.SH. of Wabash, 85 Hope Free Medical Clinic and Advantage Housing are also planning to relocate to the downtown hub.