The afternoon of Sunday, April 23, 28 donors to Rush County Community Foundation’s CIRCLe Fund gathered at the Kenneth L. Earnest Family Conference Room at Rush Memorial Hospital to select the fund’s fourth annual grant recipient.  Congratulations to Rush AIC Recovery Housing, Inc., this year’s recipient of $12,000.

Rush AIC Recovery Housing, Inc. (AIC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation created to address the housing needs of individuals in Rush County’s Drug Court program.  The AIC is amidst renovations of a blighted home at 430 N. Harrison Street that, once completed, will be utilized for temporary housing for Drug Court participants in need of a safe, drug-free home to maintain their sobriety.  Specifically, this home will be available to those involved in the Drug Court that have proven they are ready to change their lives.  The $12,000 CIRCLe Fund grant distribution will assist renovations of the home.

Presenting to the CIRCLe Fund donors, Prosecutor Phil Caviness, Judge Brian Hill, Police Chief Craig Tucker, and current program participant Evan Kennedy, emphasized the importance of providing a safe, drug-free residence for individuals trying to become sober.  Evan, clean for 14 months, touted the Drug Court program and staff as lifesavers.  Since being involved in the program, he has stopped using drugs, obtained his driver’s license, retained custody of his three children, and gained full-time employment.  Without the intensive Drug Court program and 24/7 support available, he isn’t sure he would have been successful.  Now committed to impacting the lives of those striving to become sober, Evan has assisted the Drug Court with making support groups available in Rush County 5 days of the week and he has been actively involved in the beginning phase of renovation to the AIC recovery house.  Upon receipt of the award, Phil Caviness stated, “We are so amazed and grateful to receive the CIRCLe Fund Grant. This grant will make our project a reality, and we believe that the house will help change lives and improve our community for years to come.”

Aside from determining this year’s grant award recipient, the Sunday afternoon CIRCLe Fund gathering provided an opportunity for donors that had given $300 or more to enjoy fellowship, desserts and hear a report from the 2016 grant recipient, the Rush County Historical Society.  The Rush County Historical Society spoke about the impact the grant funds made possible for the Gowdy House Museum and Carriage House.  In addition to the improvements made at the museum, the funding enabled more tours of the facility for Rush County students.

“The CIRCLe Fund”, “Chicks Improving Rush County Life”, was created in 2013 to invite women to be a part of making a positive impact that will substantially enhance various program in Rush County.   The Founding Donors of this Fund are all either current or past members of our Board of Directors who saw a need within our community.   “We wanted to create a welcoming CIRCLe of women who combine their resources to support improving lives in Rush County,” states Founding Donor Betsy Williams. “Powerful giving back to the community starts with an idea and gains momentum with enthusiastic member participation,” stated Founding Donor Shelly King.  Founding Donor Heather Meckes adds that “Together we can make a much bigger impact. We welcome one and all to join the CIRCLe.”  Dawn Netherly, a first-time contributor to the Fund, stated, “I liked getting to know more about what was happening in the community and being a little responsible for making some great projects even better.”

If you would like the opportunity to make an impact on some of the great projects in Rush County, we encourage you to consider a contribution to the CIRCLe Fund!  An annual contribution of $300 provides $240 towards grant funding and $60 towards the endowment, ensuring your dollars not only make an immediate difference, but a difference in the future as well.  Donors contributing $300 are included in events and voting for the grant recipient.

For additional information on the CIRCLe Fund, or any other Fund at the Rush County Community Foundation, contact our office at (765) 938-1177, visit us at 117 N. Main St., Rushville, IN 46173, or online at www.rushcountyfoundation.org.