Hopeless, homeless, relying on illegal substances to make it through the day — women who suffer these problems generally have one thing in common — past trauma.
According to Wendy Noe, CEO of Dove Recovery House in Indianapolis, 100 percent of the women availing themselves of what Dove House has to offer suffered some type of trauma, and (this number is horrific) 90 percent of them were sexually abused as children.
Of course, traumatic incidences aren’t limited to Marion County, which is why Dubois County Community Foundation Executive Director Clayton Boyles and Community Development and Communication Director Nicole Lampert decided to seek assistance for the women of Dubois and surrounding counties.
According to Lampert the Foundation began searching for the best recovery model. “This is part of our strategic plan,” she explains. And no matter what avenue they followed, the trail always led to Dove Recovery House.
Founded in 2001, Dove is the largest residential recovery program for women in Marion County, certified as a Level IV Recovery Residence. The facility serves 40 women each night and more than 80 women annually and is currently expanding the Indianapolis facility by 15 beds. After more than 20 years, Dove House’s success was easily verifiable.
“We knew it was a need here,” said Lampert. “We kept hearing about Dove House’s reputation so we visited. It was the gold standard for treatment in the state and we wanted to go with the best of the best! We wanted to replicate their model.”
Instead of duplicating, the Community Foundation reached out to Dove House and asked to partner, creating a win-win.
Very soon Dubois County will have its very own 15 bed recovery residence. Expected to open in October, Seufert Construction of Ferdinand is building Dove House at 1480 Knust Street in Jasper.
The Dove model is known for innovative programming and comprehensive therapies. It is also known for the cost, or lack thereof. At Dove House all programming is offered free of charge. While it costs approximately $300 per week per client, this amount is completely covered by grants, corporate supporters, and individual donors.
There is only one condition for admission, Noe explains. “You can’t detox at Dove House.” That and an expectation clients must adhere to the rules.
Dove Recovery House’s Mission? “We love them until they can love themselves.”
Before they can begin to love themselves these women must identify and then manage those traumas — with every avenue of help available from Dove House staff. Dana Woods is the clinical manager who will help with counseling and use a plethora of other evidence-based programs to help the whole woman heal.
“We are fortunate to be able to hire professionals,” Noe explains.
“There are lots of misunderstandings concerning substance abuse disorder,” she continues. “It is a disease but something comes before that [to prompt the substance use]. They will continue to isolate [if the cycle is not broken]. The brain is taken over by chemicals.”
The average age to begin drug use? This one’s a shocker — 13.
So what exactly are these evidence-based programs designed to do?
“Teach life skills, conflict resolution, it’s a total rehabilitation program.”
Noe has worked in the non-profit world her entire career. “I have a drive and passion to serve women,” she shared during a recent visit to Jasper. “We work hard to make sure these women have access to care.”
Building relationships has been a huge factor in the success of Dove House in Indianapolis and Noe said similar relationships are already being established in Dubois County. The Sisters of St. Benedict, Tri-Cap and Dubois County Community Meals have already volunteered ongoing support. Both the Sisters and Community Meals agreed to supply a warm meal once a week for clients. Both indoor and outdoor items have been donated, including some things one wouldn’t necessary think of like mulch from Werner Sawmill. Some of the donations came via a capstone project from one of the Dubois County Leadership Academy’s 2022 classes, including patio chairs, picnic tables and an outdoor play set.
That last item will be welcome when children visit. While the children of clients cannot live at Dove House with their mothers, they can occasionally spend a night and definitely visit during the day.
Megan Durlauf, who is also on the Dubois County Dove Recovery House team, will help coordinate donations.
Those wishing to donate useful items to this effort can go about it a couple of ways. There is a very detailed lists of needs on Amazon which can be found at https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/3CNIFEL08OB5P?ref_=smi_cl_lol_lls1_ls1. Items purchased will be delivered directly to Dove House.
Since everyone is not an online shopper, boxes have been placed to accept donations at all five Dubois County Libraries (Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, Dubois and Birdseye).
The most immediate needs are for twin XL bedding (dorm length), twin comforters, pillows and pillowcases, non-perishable food items, toilet paper and paper towels. However, everything someone needs to set up housekeeping is on the list like laundry detergent, dish soap, coffee, instant oatmeal, trash bags — pretty much name it and it’s probably on the want list. Please note, items should be new, not used, in the original package.
With questions about making a monetary donations, contact Clayton or Nicole at the Dubois County Community Foundation, 812-482-5295 or Megan Durlauf at 812-661-7218 (cell) or email [email protected].
Understanding the mission and supporting the vision will be essential to Dubois County Dove House’s success, according to Lampert.
One staff member is more than ready.
Clinician Dana Wood can hardly wait. “I’m super excited to get started. I know when treatment is an hour or hours away it can be such a huge barrier. Knowing they can stay in the community is important! To be able to build their lives back here, it’s beyond words to me, really special.”
PULL QUOTE
“At Dove House, we serve the most vulnerable women in our community—women who have experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; women who have experienced homelessness; women who are struggling with substance use disorder and have nowhere else to turn.”
Dove House: From vision to reality
By Kathy Tretter
Editor n [email protected]
Hopeless, homeless, relying on illegal substances to make it through the day — women who suffer these problems generally have one thing in common — past trauma.
According to Wendy Noe, CEO of Dove Recovery House in Indianapolis, 100 percent of the women availing themselves of what Dove House has to offer suffered some type of trauma, and (this number is horrific) 90 percent of them were sexually abused as children.
Of course, traumatic incidences aren’t limited to Marion County, which is why Dubois County Community Foundation Executive Director Clayton Boyles and Community Development and Communication Director Nicole Lampert decided to seek assistance for the women of Dubois and surrounding counties.
According to Lampert the Foundation began searching for the best recovery model. “This is part of our strategic plan,” she explains. And no matter what avenue they followed, the trail always led to Dove Recovery House.
Founded in 2001, Dove is the largest residential recovery program for women in Marion County, certified as a Level IV Recovery Residence. The facility serves 40 women each night and more than 80 women annually and is currently expanding the Indianapolis facility by 15 beds. After more than 20 years, Dove House’s success was easily verifiable.
“We knew it was a need here,” said Lampert. “We kept hearing about Dove House’s reputation so we visited. It was the gold standard for treatment in the state and we wanted to go with the best of the best! We wanted to replicate their model.”
Instead of duplicating, the Community Foundation reached out to Dove House and asked to partner, creating a win-win.
Very soon Dubois County will have its very own 15 bed recovery residence. Expected to open in October, Seufert Construction of Ferdinand is building Dove House at 1480 Knust Street in Jasper.
The Dove model is known for innovative programming and comprehensive therapies. It is also known for the cost, or lack thereof. At Dove House all programming is offered free of charge. While it costs approximately $300 per week per client, this amount is completely covered by grants, corporate supporters, and individual donors.
There is only one condition for admission, Noe explains. “You can’t detox at Dove House.” That and an expectation clients must adhere to the rules.
Dove Recovery House’s Mission? “We love them until they can love themselves.”
Before they can begin to love themselves these women must identify and then manage those traumas — with every avenue of help available from Dove House staff. Dana Woods is the clinical manager who will help with counseling and use a plethora of other evidence-based programs to help the whole woman heal.
“We are fortunate to be able to hire professionals,” Noe explains.
“There are lots of misunderstandings concerning substance abuse disorder,” she continues. “It is a disease but something comes before that [to prompt the substance use]. They will continue to isolate [if the cycle is not broken]. The brain is taken over by chemicals.”
The average age to begin drug use? This one’s a shocker — 13.
So what exactly are these evidence-based programs designed to do?
“Teach life skills, conflict resolution, it’s a total rehabilitation program.”
Noe has worked in the non-profit world her entire career. “I have a drive and passion to serve women,” she shared during a recent visit to Jasper. “We work hard to make sure these women have access to care.”
Building relationships has been a huge factor in the success of Dove House in Indianapolis and Noe said similar relationships are already being established in Dubois County. The Sisters of St. Benedict, Tri-Cap and Dubois County Community Meals have already volunteered ongoing support. Both the Sisters and Community Meals agreed to supply a warm meal once a week for clients. Both indoor and outdoor items have been donated, including some things one wouldn’t necessary think of like mulch from Werner Sawmill. Some of the donations came via a capstone project from one of the Dubois County Leadership Academy’s 2022 classes, including patio chairs, picnic tables and an outdoor play set.
That last item will be welcome when children visit. While the children of clients cannot live at Dove House with their mothers, they can occasionally spend a night and definitely visit during the day.
Megan Durlauf, who is also on the Dubois County Dove Recovery House team, will help coordinate donations.
Those wishing to donate useful items to this effort can go about it a couple of ways. There is a very detailed lists of needs on Amazon which can be found at https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/3CNIFEL08OB5P?ref_=smi_cl_lol_lls1_ls1. Items purchased will be delivered directly to Dove House.
Since everyone is not an online shopper, boxes have been placed to accept donations at all five Dubois County Libraries (Jasper, Huntingburg, Ferdinand, Dubois and Birdseye).
The most immediate needs are for twin XL bedding (dorm length), twin comforters, pillows and pillowcases, non-perishable food items, toilet paper and paper towels. However, everything someone needs to set up housekeeping is on the list like laundry detergent, dish soap, coffee, instant oatmeal, trash bags — pretty much name it and it’s probably on the want list. Please note, items should be new, not used, in the original package.
With questions about making a monetary donations, contact Clayton or Nicole at the Dubois County Community Foundation, 812-482-5295 or Megan Durlauf at 812-661-7218 (cell) or email [email protected].
Understanding the mission and supporting the vision will be essential to Dubois County Dove House’s success, according to Lampert.
One staff member is more than ready.
Clinician Dana Wood can hardly wait. “I’m super excited to get started. I know when treatment is an hour or hours away it can be such a huge barrier. Knowing they can stay in the community is important! To be able to build their lives back here, it’s beyond words to me, really special.”
Story by Kathy Tretter, Photos by Sierra Bruggeman
