Representatives from Milford Methodist Meeting House and Living In Transition Effectively addressed Milford Town Council May 9 regarding plans to turn the MMMH parsonage building into a women’s recovery home. From left are Pastor Mike Beezley, LITE Program Director Tammy Cotton, Becky Alles (seated), Dan Brown and April Harrison. InkFreeNews photo by David Hazledine.

By David Hazledine
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — At the Monday, May 9, meeting of Milford Town Council, representatives of the Milford Methodist Meeting House, formerly Milford Methodist Church, located at the corner of Catherine and West streets, were on hand to inform the council of efforts to convert the property’s parsonage building into a recovery home for up to five women in the Living in Transition Effectively program.

During public input, the council first heard from Pastor Mike Beezley, who was appointed by United Methodist Church North District of Indiana to oversee use of the building after the church was shuttered in June 2021 due to declining attendance.

Beezley explained being approached by Milford Redevelopment Commission President Dan Brown and Van Buren Township Trustee Becky Alles, both former MMC members, who believed a need still existed for “services beneficial to the town and community.” In particular, there was a lack of resources for those with substance abuse issues, the nearest being in Warsaw or Goshen.

Beezley and others have since organized outdoor movie nights, Christian music events, weekly Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Brightpoint health insurance navigation programs, weekly Bible study and more. “The target is broad,” he said. “It’s not just for people in recovery … the family needs support.”

LITE Program Director Tammy Cotton described her work with incarcerated addicts trying to reenter society, including her daughter. “These inmates need help getting back on their feet,” she stated.

Cotton, a former director of Rose Home, had been looking for a recovery home for women, and the parsonage at MMMH was ideal. “God keeps opening doors,” she said.

Five women would occupy three bedrooms in the parsonage, and an emergency bed would be available for a woman unable to get into a mission. This is a need Cotton noted during her work in the county jail.

April Harrison, a former Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program and Rose Home graduate would run the home, living onsite in a studio apartment. Harrison and volunteers would be onsite at all times, Cotton stated.

Planned renovation of the property will be presented to Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals at a June hearing.

Council President Doug Ruch asked Cotton if Milford was “truly the best location for what you are trying to provide.”

Cotton answered yes, reiterating the need for recovery homes in the area and the fact the church is already providing resources the women will need during their stay.

Ruch also expressed concern about elements of the women’s criminal past finding them again in a residential area, threatening the safety for “the individual and townspeople.”

“The risk is higher out on the street,” Harrison explained, adding the women will have “no communication” with anyone related to their substance abuse or other criminal behavior. She described a “rigorous intake process,” including background checks of every person in and out of their families. The intake process, Harrison added, ensures the women “really want help … We’re not allowing any monkey business.”

The women will also be randomly drug screened and breathalyzed throughout the 12-step process, which involves constant meetings with mentors and leaders.

During the first 60 days, the women will work on preparing for basic job skills or schooling, getting “basic life skills to be productive in society.”

Harrison also said the women’s families, including children, would not be allowed in the home. After three months, they may earn an overnight pass to leave the home.

“Five is very manageable … no bigger than a family,” added Beezley.

Council member Ken Long opined the program’s recidivism rate is likely “much lower than no help whatsoever.”

He also asked about remodeling the garage and whether wastewater utilities would be added and confirmed the group had talked with Area Planning Commission. He also expressed concern about having only 1.5 bathrooms. Cotton said a contractor has been obtained for the work and recalled Rose Home had three bathrooms for 12 women. “I believe it will work,” she said.

Brown noted the work is “not easy,” but he emphasized the support provided by North Indiana United Methodist Church, Beezley’s pastoral leadership, Cotton’s experience as a Rose Home executive and the qualified staff. “People kept walking through the door to say we could do this.”