THE ASPIRE BLOG

Aspire Indiana Health recently announced a $4 million capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of Progress House, the largest and oldest recovery residence in Indiana.

Progress House began in 1961 with a small group home on North New Jersey Street; it has been at its current location on Shelby Avenue since 2000. It serves approximately 300 Hoosiers annually. However, the need for recovery beds and support outpaces capacity in Central Indiana and beyond.

“Progress House has transformed thousands of lives through the miracle of recovery over the last several decades,” says Aspire Vice President of Recovery Capital Darrell Mitchell. “It is exciting to see the upgrade of our facility and the expansion of our footprint through this campaign.”

The public launch of the capital campaign follows the successful efforts of the campaign cabinet, who have assisted in securing $3.6 million toward the project goal.

“Our capital campaign cabinet is made up of well-connected, highly-passionate individuals who are invested in the work of Progress House and the impact this campaign will have, which is already showing really incredible outcomes,” says Aspire Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Kevin Sheward. 

Last month, Lilly Endowment Inc. committed $1 million to the Progress House capital project. Additional lead gifts have been secured from Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Nicholas H. Noyes Memorial Foundation and Merchants Bank of Indiana. Several private Central Indiana philanthropists have also generously participated, including Bryan Brenner, Ted Sherfick, Gregory and Appel Insurance, and Elizabeth and John Demaree.

“We know there is significant interest in the work we do, whether it’s recovery services or mental health or serving unhoused populations throughout Central Indiana, and people are looking for opportunities to give and demonstrate that interest,” Sheward says. “For Aspire to expand in the future, we’re going to need our communities’ support; this is a first step in the right direction of creating those pathways and opportunities for people to give where their hearts are calling them to.”

Renovations at Progress House began earlier this year and include improvements that will bring the facility up to National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and enhance quality of life and programming for residents. The project also includes the acquisition of two single-family homes that will add 20 new beds and serve an additional 50 men annually.

“These improvements will not only enhance our services but also contribute to the betterment of our community,” Mitchell says. “The quality of our facilities will mirror the quality of our programming and outcomes. We are incredibly humbled and grateful for the support being offered.”

In 2019, Progress House merged with Aspire Indiana Health, together creating a Whole Health Recovery Continuum as an innovative approach to providing services to combat substance use disorder. Approximately 70 percent of Progress House residents successfully complete programming, well above industry benchmarks.

“The work being done at Progress House is critical, and it’s a need that’s not going to go away,” says Aspire Director of Philanthropy Kasey Davis. “As we’ve seen the landscape of recovery and addiction change, Progress House is going to continue to be a substantial need in Central Indiana.”

“We want everyone who walks into Progress House to know they matter,” Sheward says. “We also want incredible people to want to work at Progress House and be a part of a world-class facility — which in itself is going to be an incredible recruitment and retention tool.”

“You’re not going to heal if you don’t feel safe in your physical space,” Davis adds. “I think that’s an important and very meaningful part of this project — making sure people feel welcome and at home.”

Aspire’s recovery continuum provides a powerful array of medical, behavioral health and support services onsite. Currently the continuum includes Progress House, Mockingbird Hill Recovery Center in Anderson, Ind., and Next Step transition apartments in Indianapolis. The organization’s model has received national recognition from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) for its creative programming and successful outcomes.

“I’m thrilled we’ll be able to communicate and demonstrate to the market that this model is groundbreaking, and it saves and changes lives,” Mitchell says. “The work we can do through this capital campaign project allows us to get our facility to a level appropriate for the model and our work. It will be a wonderful environment for our staff, which pleases me. But most of all, Progress House will be a place where the integrity of the stay and the pride the residents will have from going through the program will be unmatched.”