Vickie Lootens, executive director of Cardinal Services, left, and Eric Lane, director of Fellowship Missions, sign the official paperwork marking the gifting of the Jomac building from Cardinal Services to Fellowship Missions. Photo provided by Cardinal Services.

News Release

WARSAW — Cardinal Services announced Tuesday, June 27, that they have officially gifted the old Jomac building at 1624 E. Winona Ave. to Fellowship Missions.

Cardinal engaged in numerous discussions with Fellowship Missions, which conveyed a hope to broaden and enhance its range of services. The discussions culminated in a partnership and an agreement between the two local nonprofits to enhance the Winona Avenue corridor by undertaking a cleanup project.

According to Eric Lane, director of Fellowship Missions, the group’s plans to expand include family housing and employment assistance.

“Currently, if Dad comes in with his family, he must stay in another location, which has a negative long-term impact on the family,” said Lane. “By keeping them together, we hope to strengthen that family going forward.”

“Cardinal Services is happy that we have been able to create this wonderful partnership with Fellowship Missions and make this happen,” said Vickie Lootens, executive director of Cardinal Services. “We have a strong and growing relationship with Fellowship Missions. In fact, several people who participate in our programs also volunteer at Fellowship Missions. This is a highly valued partnership.”

Lootens added that Cardinal and Fellowship Missions will grow their collaborative efforts in the employment arena, where Cardinal already has a robust workforce development program that assists individuals with disabilities in finding gainful employment in the community.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Services continues the renovation of its building across the street from Jomac and Fellowship Missions, at 504 N. Bay Drive. This week, long-awaited steel beams arrived for the new addition, meaning the new construction part of the renovation will now begin. Renovations inside the building have been ongoing for nearly a year, with services continuing uninterrupted. The project is on schedule for completion next summer.