WARSAW — Fellowship Missions is preparing to open four transitional homes in coming months in Kosciusko County.

Much of the funding has already been lined up, but Fellowship Missions, which operates a homeless shelter in Warsaw, was granted $175,000 in opioid settlement money allocated by a Kosciusko County committee on Thursday.

The plan is to open two houses for men, another for women, and a fourth that will serve mothers with children at the old Riverwood Ranch property on Old Road 30 in Warsaw by the end of the year.

On Thursday, Lane was seeking financial support from a Kosciusko County committee that oversees the allocation of money from the federal opioid settlement.

He calls the program "Next Step Housing."

"What we were asking for today was for them to help us get an all-women's home as well," Lane said.

Fellowship Missions will oversee the properties.

"Everybody knows it's kind of tough to find housing right now in our community, and that's actually a big barrier for a lot of our residents trying to move on," Lane said. "And so we are actively seeking ways to help them better their lives, and housing is a big hurdle in that."

The county also provided money previously to purchase land that is now home to The Gathering Place in downtown Warsaw.

He expressed appreciation for Thursday's decision.

"Every little bit helps," he said. "I mean, I feel very fortunate, blessed that they approved what they did for us. I mean, my goodness!"

Two other groups also received opioid settlement money at the direction of a county committee.

LITE Recovery will receive $75,000 to expand services at its Milford youth center, known as Rise Up. Serenity House will receive $30,000 to be divided up to pay for small upgrades at three residential homes.

Fellowship had sought $200,000. LITE Recovery asked for $109,000 and Serenity wanted $30,000.

The committee is composed of Sue Ann Mitchell, Joe Irwin, and Tony Ciriello.

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WARAW — For the second time in the past year, various groups will host a mental health resource fair at The Gathering Place in downtown Warsaw. 

The Gathering Place is located at 123 S. Buffalo St.

The Warsaw CARES Unit, which works to support those with mental health issues as part of its broader mission, is helping organize the event. 

Mikaela Bixler, with the CARES Unit, said the lineup of supporting entities is bigger this year, with upward of a dozen groups participating. 

“So a lot of different resources, including potentially resources to help people pay for mental health or get insurance to help cover mental health care,” Bixler said.

She says the cost of professional coverage continues to be a barrier for those seeking help.

“I do feel like a lot of people are hesitant to get mental health care or see a counselor because they think it's very expensive — and it is," she said. 

“We will have resources there to help people get it covered,” she said.

She also said some of the groups will offer telehealth services.

The free event is open to anyone and will run from 530 to 730 p.m.

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WARSAW — In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, CARES will host QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper Training on Monday at The Gathering Place, 123 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw.

A spokesperson for CARES said this Monday morning that they still have room for anyone who still wants to participate.

QPR is an evidence-based suicide prevention training developed by the QPR Institute.

The program’s mission is to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors through innovative, practical, and proven education. By equipping individuals with the tools to recognize warning signs and respond effectively, QPR empowers everyday people to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

A “gatekeeper” is anyone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be considering suicide. Gatekeepers can include parents, teachers, ministers, youth, doctors, first responders, and mental health professionals—but most importantly, anyone willing to learn how to help.

CARES will offer two training sessions on May 4th:
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Participants must attend the full session to receive QPR Gatekeeper certification. This training is open to the public and provides an opportunity for individuals across the community to gain life- saving skills, increase awareness, and strengthen support networks for those who may be struggling.

These trainings are made possible through grant funding from the K21 Health Foundation.
To register or learn more, contact CARES: Phone: 574-385-2111. Email: CARES@warsaw.in.gov

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WARSAW — The Clubhouse is a concept that supports those struggling with mental health issues and has been around nationally since the 1940s.

There used to be one in Warsaw, but Live Well Kosciusko is seeking to revive that tradition.

Chris Fancil began working on the project six months ago after leaving his position as director of CARES, which is part of the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory.

Fancil and others want to create a Kosciusko County Mental Health Clubhouse, and will host a call out inviting anyone wanting to get involved to attend a meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday at The Gathering Place in downtown Warsaw.

They specifically want to attract people who have struggled with mental illness to come out and learn more and consider getting involved.

Organizers want to gauge the level of interest and then report back on future plans.

Fancil said there used to be a Clubhouse in Warsaw years ago and wants to revive it.

"Clubhouse International is all over the world. There are hundreds of Clubhouses (and) there are quite a few around us already," Fancil said.

Other communities, including Elkhart and Goshen, have their own Clubhouses and see significant participation. Fanceil said that, given Kosciusko County’s population, he thinks there is enough potential support for one in Warsaw.

The idea is to bring people together, create a sense of unity, and operate a clubhouse.

It's intended for adults who would still live independently on their own and it's not a group home.

House tasks such as cutting the grass and chores, would be expected to grow a sense of unity.

"But we do all these tasks together. We're one group. The clubhouse belongs to the members. It's all voluntary. But you're all one group doing the same goal," Fancil said.

"We would offer them resources if they wanted to go back into the workforce, work with local employers to offer them what's called transitional employment," he said.

Kosciusko County Mental Health Clubhouse has received some financial support from Health First Kosciusko.

While Thursday's meeting is at The Gathering Place (123 S. Buffalo St.), the long-term plan is to become certified and find a separate location somewhere in the Warsaw area so that they have a central location in the county, Fancil said.

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WARSAW — Four downtown Warsaw coffee destinations will be open late on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. for Downtown Coffee Klatch, a new promotion that now includes a hint of music.

The series of Coffee Klatches is part of a promotion by Main Street Warsaw to encourage socializing and create connections even playing some games.

In 2024, Main Street Warsaw hosted two Coffee Klatch events that attracted more than 50 people, according to a news release issued by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.

The participating destinations are looking to build off that momentum. To add to the ambience of the event, Main Street Warsaw is sponsoring acoustic music for each location from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Participating coffee destinations (and music) include:

• Bakehouse 23, 108 N. Buffalo St. — featuring Ben Essick, baritone saxophonist.
• Generous Coffee, 121 W. Center St. — featuring singer, songwriter, Matt Fawcett.
• The River Coffee House, 101 W. Center St. — featuring Jake Borowski from Starheart playing acoustic fare in the style of James Taylor, Paul Simon, and some original music.
• The Gathering Place, 123 S. Buffalo St. — featuring Bill Music from Fellowship Missions.

Another annual event is also underway.

The 3rd annual Savor Kosciusko, hosted by the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, kicks off this week and will run through Monday, March 31.

During Savor Kosciusko, diners can visit participating restaurants for specially priced, featured menu items.

Participating restaurants include Bakehouse 23, Biryani Kitchen, Falling Rabbit, Ledgeview Brewing Company, Mad Anthony’s Lake City Tap House, Papa Vino’s Rainbow’s Promise Bakery, Rocksteady Pizza Parlor, Salvatori’s, Shawnanigans, Social Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop, and Three Crowns Coffee.

Visit the event website, created by 1Eighty Digital or follow Savor Kosciusko on Facebook for updates and detailed menus for each restaurant.

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WARSAW — A national 24-hour talkathon that includes participation with Fellowship Missions began at 4 p.m. and is expected to continue until Thursday afternoon.

Fellowship Missions is working with about a dozen other shelters to facilitate a 24-hour conversation on homelessness, mental health, substance abuse and other related topics.

Eric Lane, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Fellowship Missions will be joined by guests in support of the local contribution.

“Conversations on a Bench,” a national event sponsored by Citygate Network, is taking place at The Gathering Place, 123 S. Buffalo St.

Fellowship Missions invites anyone with questions or wants to talk to Lane about the critical issues to stop by The Gathering Place or through the streaming service on the Fellowship Missions homepage.

You can watch it on Fellowship Missions' Facebook page.

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WARSAW — Fellowship Missions is hosting a national 24-hour event, "Conversations on a Bench," at The Gathering Place. 

Fellowship Missions co-founder & executive director Eric Lane will engage with city officials and residents to discuss the critical issues of homelessness, addiction, and mental health.

The event will also be live-streamed and is all about open, honest conversations to inspire change.

The event begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The Gathering Place is at 123 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw.

You can join the live stream and offer questions by going to the link here.

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WARSAW — You’ve heard a lot about The Gathering Place recently, the new downtown facility opened by Fellowship Missions that will serve as a location for those in recovery or in need mental health assistance.

The building now houses offices for Allendale Treatment Fort Wayne and the CARES unit, a division of Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory.

But did you know there’s a maker space? It's in the renovated basement and is intended for anyone to put to use their creative talents.

"It's a beautiful space for art. We've got a lot of donated materials. Just think of art class and every type of art material is down there," said Eric Lane, executive director of Fellowship Missions. "It's just a neat area where people can get expressive and creative."

"It's for art therapy and music therapy, but also, the community can come in and if they just need some head space and get creative, they can," he added.

Lane talked with News Now Warsaw for In the Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend on Kensington Digital Media Radio stations.

Lane and his wife, Tammy, are co-founders of Fellowship Missions, which opened nearly 15 years ago as a homeless shelter. Tammy is the volunteer coordinator for Fellowship Missions and The Gathering Place.

Over the years, the shelter has increased its efforts to support clients, 70 percent of whom have alcohol or substance abuse issues.

Opening The Gathering Place has offered an opportunity to achieve the goals of further supporting recovery efforts.

In a way, the Gathering Place is breaking down barriers by hosting a facility that invites those in need alongside the general public.

"We wanna break down the stigmas. We want to normalize the conversation of recovery and mental health where a healthy community is helping all of the community," Lane said.

Lane also discussed the vast history of the home of The Gathering Place at the corner of Market and Buffalo streets, which Fellowship Missions acquired from Generous Coffee when the coffee production group moved to a new location in the downtown.

Fellowship Missions received about $300,000 in opioid settlement money from Kosciusko County to acquire the property and then raised a similar amount to help cover renovation costs. Much of the private funding came from foundations and churches, he said.

Lane came to Warsaw when he served as the construction manager more than two decades ago for Warsaw Community Church on the city's south side.

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

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WARSAW — Fellowship Missions announced the grand opening of The Gathering Place, a space open to everyone in the community.

The ribbon-cutting and open house for The Gathering Place at 123 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

This facility aims to make addiction recovery resources more accessible to the community, providing essential services such as substance use recovery resources, classes, support groups and one-on-one therapy.

In recent months, the building at the corner of Market and South Buffalo streets has undergone an extensive renovation on the first and second floor.

With construction complete, Fellowship Missions is eager to share this resource with the community.

“The Gathering Place will play a key role in breaking down the social stigma surrounding recovery,” said Eric Lane, executive director and co-founder of Fellowship Missions. “We invite community members, supporters and friends to use and enjoy the space. Whether you want a place to sit, read, access support or meet with friends, The Gathering Place is here for you.”

Fellowship Missions has been part of the Warsaw community for over a decade and you can learn more at fellowshipmissions.net.

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