The LITE team celebrate the opening of the LITEhouse Women’s Recovery Home in Milford. In front, from left: Staci York, Tammy Cotton, Rev. Dr. Marti Lundy, House Manager Desiree England, Pastor Mike Beezley, Bishop Julius Trimble and Martha Stolting. In middle row, Angelika Weidenbenner, Rochelle Taylor, Kelly Bradley and Hope Beezley. In back row: Ryan Austin, Dan Brown, Pat Park, Chris Cotton and Tom Van Meter. Photo by Ian Brown.

By Ian Brown
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — Over 50 people gathered for the ribbon cutting and open house of Milford’s LITEhouse Women’s Recovery Home held Saturday, April 22. The facility is a result of the efforts of Living In Transition Effectively, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources for former inmates as they reintegrate into society after incarceration. The initiative was founded by Chris and Tammy Cotton, whose own daughter’s experience in jail inspired them to take action.

Pastor Mike Beezley, of Atwood Aldersgate United Methodist Church, serves as the director of ministry and outreach at the Milford Methodist Meeting House. Speaking at the event, he explained, “MMMH has developed out of the facilities of the former Milford United Methodist Church and the parsonage behind me. The church closed in June 2021, but since then, something new has been born, and we’re very grateful to God for what he’s been doing in this place.”

The grand opening also featured a blessing from the esteemed Bishop Julius Trimble of the Indiana Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Highlighting the importance of community support, he concluded his speech by stating, “I intend to make a commitment because this ministry can’t go on unless people are willing to support it.”

With the launch of the LITEhouse Women’s Recovery Home, LITE aims to create a positive impact on the lives of former inmates, offering them a chance to rebuild their lives.

Starting in 2017, the Cottons initially tried to collaborate with existing jail ministries and leadership classes, but faced challenges in finding a program that matched their vision. They spent a year looking for someone to develop a reentry program similar to the Elkhart County Jail Ministry, which provides reentry training, GED assistance, and help with finding housing after release.

In 2019, newly-elected Sheriff Dukes supported the Cottons’ vision, granting them access to the Kosciusko County Jail. However, the pandemic forced them to postpone their plans. “They shut us down, but it turned out to be a blessing because we got our board in order. We got our nonprofit status solidified,” said Chris.

The only thing they could do during the pandemic, was set up a library in the jail. Today, the library contains around 4,000 titles, with a team of volunteers distributing books throughout the jail every Tuesday.

LITE has since evolved into more than just a connection point for former inmates. In addition to offering classes, meetings, health insurance enrollment, and transportation services, LITE has now established a women’s recovery home.

Cotton revealed there are currently two residents staying in the house and they have 14 applications for the program, all of which come from those charged in Kosciusko County.

The LITEhouse Women’s Recovery Home, LITE aims to create a positive impact on the lives of former inmates. For more information, or if interested in volunteering, they encourage following their Facebook page at facebook.com/LITEinKCJ.