We are making steady progress toward opening the Living Water Residence and welcoming women into a safe, supportive, and restorative environment. Before we can accept our first residents, several final preparations are needed, including minor home repairs, deep cleaning, and setting up the bedrooms and kitchen. We are currently in need of volunteers to help with cleaning, organizing, and preparing the home, and we would love for you to consider serving in this hands-on way. If you are interested, please contact Nicole Schmenk as soon as possible by calling 260-277-0475, as we hope to complete this work within the next two weeks.
We also need to furnish some remaining items for the home, including furniture such as dressers, a coffee table, a kitchen table with chairs that seat at least eight, and nightstands. In addition, we need kitchen items, which can be found on our Amazon wish list.
On the program side, we are working to secure reliable transportation so women can attend medical and dental appointments, recovery meetings, work, and church, as none of our residents will have personal vehicles. We are also identifying safe recovery meetings for women with substance use disorders.
We have an increased need for volunteers to help run this program effectively. There are many ways to serve with the Living Water Residence Program. As mentioned above, we urgently need drivers to help transport residents to appointments and meetings. Drivers are needed on weekdays and weekends, during both daytime and evening hours. Mileage will be reimbursed at $0.50 per mile.
Mentors are also needed to walk alongside women throughout their time in the program, which may last up to two years. Mentors provide encouragement through weekly check-ins and twice-monthly in-person meetings. Mentors serve as trusted friends and supporters, not counselors. Those who are interested will be trained and equipped before being matched with a resident.
Additional volunteer opportunities include leading morning devotions on a scheduled or one-time basis and providing encouragement through handwritten notes or small, approved gifts. If you love to teach, we also need individuals to help teach curriculum during Phase Two of the program. Every act of service helps create a stable foundation where women can heal, grow, and move toward lasting freedom and independence.