Nonprofit Revamps Historic Church Building
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSt. Elizabeth Catholic Charities has cut the ribbon on a renovation in New Albany. The more than $300,000 project has transformed the former rectory of the city's first Catholic church into a social services center. October 11, 2013
News Release
NEW ALBANY, Ind. – St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, Oct. 10 to celebrate the opening of its new Social Services Building. City of New Albany Mayor, Jeff Gahan, Indiana State Representative Ed Clere and One Southern Indiana (1si) president & CEO, Wendy Dant Chesser officially welcomed the new facility during the ceremony.
In 2012, the building was gifted to St. Elizabeth's by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. The agency spearheaded a campaign to raise the funds to renovate the building which included adding heat and air. This space will allow St. Elizabeth’s to increase case management services as well as mental health therapy.
At 163 year old, this building was originally the rectory for Holy Trinity, the first Catholic Church in New Albany. The church burned in 1975 and for the past 30 years, various social service agencies had been allowed to use the building rent free. The building fell in to disrepair and was vacant for many years prior.
About St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities:
St. Elizabeth affirms the dignity of and respect for all human life by assisting individuals and families in need to achieve empowerment and self-sufficiency. St. E's currently provides nine programs to assist individuals and families in need, regardless of religious beliefs race or ability to pay.
In the past year, St. Elizabeth:
-served 433 families from Indiana and Kentucky, providing them with $12,993 in diapers and $17,320 in baby food and formula;
-housed 50 mothers and 28 babies and young children;
-Permanent Housing Program was started this year. It purchased five units to provide safe and affordable housing to families facing homelessness;
-Licensed therapists served 118 individuals for mental health needs providing 804 sessions. Of the individuals that received counseling, 37 were clients outside of its residential program;
-provided 77 hours of supervision for 12 families;
-CASA Program (Court Appointed Special Advocates) gave a voice to more than 264 children in Floyd and Washington counties who found themselves in the court system through no fault of their own. This program was made possible because 67 men and women donated their time to serve as advocates. These dedicated volunteers provided a benefit of more than $511,309 to these counties through their service;
-Provided Disaster Relief Services for 441 households affected by the March 2nd tornadoes in Indiana;
-served 11 adults with developmental delays. Staff provided 9,783 hours of care to help these men and women live healthy, productive lives;
-provided 18 home studies for adoptive couples and offered two community trainings to educate the community regarding adoption and dispel the myths that often accompany this decision.
For more information, visit www.stelizabethcatholiccharities.org.
Source: St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities