Brownsburg Magazine May 2021

MAY 2021

MAGAZINE

APRIL SHOWERS REALLY DO BRING MAY FLOWERS IDEAS FOR SPRUCING UP YOUR BACKYARD SPACE

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MAY 2021

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JON S HOULD ER S REAL-TIME ANALYTICS

6 9 17 24 25 28

Ap r il S h owe r s Re ally Do B r in g May Flowers H is O wn Pace : Racin g Le g e n d Al U n se r Jr. Re fle cts on Care e r an d Faith Walkin g th e Walk: Re lay for Life Raise s Aware n e ss an d Fu n d s for Can ce r Re se arch S kin Can ce r Preve n tion : H ow to Prote ct Your S kin an d E n joy You r S u mme r

Id e as for S p r u cin g U p You r B ackyard S pace B r ig h te r Path : S h e lte r in g Win g s Provid es H op e for Th ose Affe cte d by Dome stic Abuse

K E Y CO N TRI BU TO RS AMY PAYNE / CARRIE PETTY / CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING CLAIRE-ANNE AIKMAN / JENFORD PHOTOGRAPHY DR. LAWRENCE MARK

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BROWNSBURG DENTAL GROUP IS PROUD TO INTRODUCE ITS NEWEST ASSOCIATE DENTIST JESSICA MILLER

Kids who spend their summer with Mathnasium sure stand out in a crowd.

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APR I L S H OW ER S R EA L LY DO B RI N G M AY F LOW ERS Writer / Carrie Petty

Oh May, your glorious month. Time to get busy! If April is the time when the garden is emerging from sleep, then May is the time in the garden when she has had two full cups of coffee and ready for high gear, time to bloom!

Where to begin. Let’s talk lawns first. Make sure that mower blade is sharp people, and do not ever mow when it is wet. This is the first step to preventing diseased lawns.

Also, to prevent moles set out multiple traps along the moles trail. An old American Indian trick — it is said that the moles move to the surface on a warm, sunny day at high noon. You can get them with a garden spade if you have the constitution to do so. I call the hubby for that trick.

Now, when it comes to general gardening chores for the month of May, first things first, stretch. Before you head out for a full Saturday worth of mulching and gardening chores, make sure you give the old body a good stretch and warm up a bit. Your back will thank me in the morning. At the age of 54, I have settled for one of those seat thingies that you can flip over and kneel on

too. It has saved my gardeners back from strain.

Visit all your local gardening centers and pick up something new. I suggest every year adding a new tree or bush to the landscape and at least a couple of new perennials to the flower garden. Always, always, try new veritable varieties. So many cool ones come

If you did not get your crab grass preventative down in April, do it as soon as possible. And make sure you cut your lawn to the highest setting on the mower, this way you are shading out weed seeds in the soil and will have a much healthier lawn. The taller the blade, the deeper the root!

6 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 / BrownsburgMagazine.com

out each year. If you have not tried Purple Kohlrabi, then you need to.

When planting any newly purchased pot grown specimen, a good tip is to scrape off the top half inch of soil out of the pot and toss it in the trash, not the compost bin! This is where the weed seeds reside.

Taking that soil off the top of the pot will help prevent the introduction of new weeds in your garden. Particularly, the hard to eradicate Thistle-It is a monster.

Many Indiana landscapes now have Hostas peeking up through the soil, their tall green spikes curled into a cone format, this is the perfect time to divide them and make more plants. Place your spade two inches away from the growth and dig down deep, tip your spade back to unearth the root ball to loosen. Do this all the way around the plant base and pull the entire thing out of the ground. Then divide each green spire into a new plant, making sure you capture a good

rootstock as you go. This is the easiest and cheapest way to increase the size of one’s garden. This is the very act of ‘gardening’ itself! If you do this, I give you permission to call yourself a gardener. Bravo!

Dividing Daffodil bulbs is a great chore to do now, and your garden will reemerge in the spring with a fresh facelift of yellow blooms.

Just dig up a clump of foliage left behind after the blooms fade, and pull apart the bulbs with your hands. Again, be sure to capture a good rootstock with each bulb if you can. If not, they will survive. Replant one-by-one in a new hole elsewhere about six inches deep. This is also a great time to use a granulated fertilizer on

your Tulips and bulbs to strengthen their roots for next year’s bloom.

Gardening is always about looking forward!. It is the most optimistic duty. So get going my friends. And as always, I hope I have helped you “Grow a More Beautiful Life!” Cheers.

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Spring Into Action Stop in to see our great selection of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, trees, shrubs & spring décor!

TOX-AWAY DAY Saturday, May 22 | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Hendricks Co. Fairground (1900 E. Main St., Danville) Hendricks County households only. Regulations prohibit wastes from businesses or other organizations from being accepted at Tox-Away Day. Household Hazardous Waste is Accepted for Free • Oil-Based Paints/Stains

- Latex paint should be dried out & thrown away. Please don’t bring it to Tox-Away Days.

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• Electronics

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MAY 2021

A

As a professional race car driver, Al Unser Jr. has truly lived life in the fast lane, and he’s loved every minute of the competitive nature of the sport. But just as there is no such thing as the perfect race, there is also no such thing as the perfect life.

Through the years, Unser has experienced his share of speed bumps and disappointments along the way - most notably, his battle with alcohol. Though he’s experienced ups and downs, both personally and professionally, it was only when he slowed down, looked up, and connected with Jesus Christ that he found true and lasting peace.

For as far back as he can recall, Unser had

a need for speed - something that ran in his family, as both his father, Al Unser Sr., and his uncle, Bobby Unser, were racing legends. In fact, he, his uncle Bobby, and his dad all won the Indy 500 on May 24.

Between the three of them, the Unser family has won the Indy 500 a record of nine times.

Unser began racing go-karts when he was 9 years old. By 16, he was professionally racing sprint cars.

demanding, but it was so competitive that when you did win races, it was very gratifying.”

He competed in more than 300 races, winning 34 of them, including two-time victories at both the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. Unser credits his team for those triumphs.

“You truly had to work at it and even when we were all prepared, you had to have some luck where things just went your way,” Unser says.

“At a young age, I thought, ‘I love racing and if I’m successful at it, I’ll keep going,’” says Unser, who hit the ground running As every driver knows, on some days early in life and never looked back. luck is on your side, and on other days, “Racing was both physically and mentally not so much. For instance, a driver may MAY 2021

“ At a young age, I thought, ‘I love racing and if I’m successful at it, I’ll keep going. Racing was both physically and mentally demanding, but it was so competitive that when you did win races, it was very gratifying.” ­­— Al Unser Jr.

PA I D A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Enjoying retirement after surgery for back pain Patient describes life after back surgery at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital

have a victory in their line of sight, and then in an instant, their engine blows up or an accident occurs.

There is also human error.

“In every race mistakes are made, whether it’s the pit crew or the driver,” Unser says. “The goal is to make fewer mistakes than anybody else.”

Unser retired from racing in 2007 after a career that includes Indy 500 wins in 1992 and 1994. In 2009, Unser was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Though his first Indy 500 win was nearly three decades ago, he

George Frampton recalls when his back pain started affecting his everyday life. He said he would often walk around with his co-workers during lunch but struggled to keep up. And at his daughter’s wedding, he said he had trouble standing while his family posed for photos.

“Over time, I was walking stooped over. I felt like I was becoming a spectacle,” said George.

At his doctor’s recommendation, and with much thought by himself and his wife, Chris, George underwent spinal reconstruction surgery at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital.

George said he was extremely pleased with the personalized care he received.

“The nurses and doctors interacted so well with both me and my wife, and included her in all conversations,” he said.

George is now able to stand upright and is enjoying retirement with his wife.

“My wife and I drove to Florida,” said George. “I was able to do a lot of things that I probably could never have done before the surgery.”

“When patients have gotten to the point where nothing else is cutting it, including injections, physical therapy and bracing, it may be the right time to have a discussion

George Frampton and his wife, Chris

with your doctor about surgery,” said John DePowell, MD, a neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of complex spinal disorders.

If you are experiencing back or neck pain that prevents you from doing the things you enjoy, now is the time to have a discussion with your doctor. Neurosurgeons at Ascension St. Vincent offer a range of spine surgery options — from minimally invasive to more advanced. Ascension St. Vincent is open for appointments, and their doctors, nurses and care teams are fully prepared for your safety in their care.

Take the next step to living with less pain.

Schedule an appointment and ask about virtual visits.

If you are experiencing back pain, visit ascension.org/StVincentBrainandSpine and talk to your doctor at Ascension St. Vincent. © Ascension 2021. All rights reserved.

MAY 2021

still vividly recalls the feeling of elation that enveloped him.

“It was a dream come true,” he says. “It was life itself.”

More recently, however, Unser has found new life by forging a meaningful relationship with Christ.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Unser moved back to the Indianapolis area in the fall of 2017, when he joined an Indy car team that was just starting up. His mom, also a Hendricks County resident, invited Unser to join her at her church one Sunday. Initially, he agreed to go because he knew it would make her happy, but he had no real interest in learning about God. “During my life, my conversations with God had always gone something like, ‘Please, let me win today’s race,’” Unser says. “That was the extent.”

As he sat in the church pews week after

week listening to the pastor’s messages, however, he had a change of heart. One day, he had a revelation.

“I decided to give my life to Jesus and instantaneously I felt such a good feeling deep down inside me,” Unser says.

As the weeks and months passed, he noticed something profound.

“I didn’t fear death anymore,” Unser says.

“And what’s more, I didn’t fear life.”

Many people who struggle with substance use disorder know what he means. Though Unser had used alcohol as a teen and into his 20s and 30s, his substance use disorder grew over time.

“It’s a subtle disease that progressively got worse,” says Unser, who struggled to admit he had a problem.

Eventually he did reach out for help and started improving, but time and again he suffered slip-ups and backslides, which served to both discourage and humiliate

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him. Once he found Jesus, however, a switch was flipped. He felt that God was always there for him - he had just never taken the time before to be still and listen.

“That quiet time is so important in connecting with God,” Unser says. “He speaks to us when we settle down and are quiet. That can be hard in today’s fast-paced world, when our phones are ringing and binging all the time, but quiet time with Jesus is huge.”

Growing a meaningful relationship with Christ has given him a hope he didn’t know before.

“Being a follower of Jesus and serving others lightens your whole attitude going into the day,” Unser says. “When I was racing and everything was so competitive, I didn’t really serve anybody but myself.”

Following Jesus and studying God’s word helped Unser stay sober, and on May 24, 2021, he will celebrate two years of sobriety. Unser, currently single, has four children, Al, Cody, Shannon and Joe, and one grandchild. In his free time, he likes to watch TV, play racquetball, and hang out with his two miniature schnauzers, Lola and Larry. He’s also currently working for a Sports Car Club of America Formula 4 race team that runs kids, mainly between the ages of 14 and 20.

Last year Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Development started a new Formula 4 United States Championship program with Elliot Cox, 13, behind the wheel. Unser was hired as a driver coach to work directly with Cox as well as Chloe Chambers, 16, who is with Future Star Racing. This is a first step for go-kart racers to determine if they truly want to pursue a professional racing career.

“I’m looking forward to a wonderful summer helping out that team as much as I can,” says Unser, who coached last year with a different race team in the same Formula 4 series. “I truly enjoy helping the kids. When they do well out on the racetrack and they come in smiling, that’s a win for me.”

MAY 2021

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WALKING THE WALK R E L AY FO R L I F E R A I S E S AWA R E N E S S A N D F U N D S FO R C A N C E R R E S E A R C H “It was a drastic hit,” says Renee Mohler, event leader for Brownsburg’s Relay for Life.

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided & JenFord Photography

In the spring of 1985, cancer survivor Gordy Klatt walked for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS). His friends and family came out to support him, and their presence made him realize the healing nature of community. The following year he invited people to create teams, and the annual ACS Relay for Life was born. Now, 36 years later, this popular event has grown to 2,000 relays that take place across the country.

For years, Relay for Life Brownsburg has been held at Brownsburg West Middle School. Because it’s held on school grounds, teams have typically walked from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m., instead of 24 hours.

Last year COVID-19 prompted event leaders and relays around the country to go virtual, which cost the ACS $20 million in donations across the globe.

This local chapter still performed very well, raising $70,000, putting them in the top percentage in the country.

Mary Kintner, a second-grade teacher at Brown Elementary School, is the team captain of Striding with Brown, the highest fundraising team in the area. Her team has raised more than $50,000 in the six years she’s been involved. The event is important to her because her extended family has been riddled with cancer, and she wanted to do her part to help fund research and support programs for cancer patients and their families.

“I love ACS’s motto, ‘Cancer won’t quit, so neither can we,’” says Kintner, whose husband received a cancer diagnosis three years ago.

“So many suffer each day, each week and every year. I know that the work my team does for Relay is a small drop in the bucket, but it

MAY 2021

means something just knowing that we can make a difference.”

Kintner’s two co-captains, Cindy and Nancy, are both survivors and serve to inspire her.

“They are fighters, and I’m honored to partner with them,” says Kintner, who has made numerous friendships with people on the leadership team. “It’s a family of friends serving those who have fought hard.”

During a typical Relay for Life event, while some teammates take turns walking a track, others fundraise by selling food, running silent auctions, or offering fun activities like a dunk tank or mini golf. This year’s Relay for Life, however, will be a drive-through event at Brownsburg High School on May 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“We’re going to ask people to stay in their cars because we don’t want to compromise the health of survivors by encouraging people to be in a close-knit group,” Mohler says.

“We’ve had to switch gears on all protocols to make this safe

for cancer survivors.”

Vehicles will enter on Bulldog Boulevard, stopping at various stations as they make their way around the parking lot.

Luminaria bags, each representing either a cancer patient, cancer survivor or someone who has lost their life to cancer, will be lit by 8 p.m. Supporters can drive the parking lot.

Towards the end of the evening, around 8:30 p.m., survivors will line up near the stage for a luminaria ceremony. Masked volunteers will decorate survivors’ cars, and present them with gift bags and to-go meals.

“It’s really pretty cool,” Mohler says. “We’ll also try to write a message in the stands.”

This year has been harder than normal for many cancer patients.

Some died in hospitals without their families. Others couldn’t get access to treatment because it wasn’t the priority anymore.

Still others neglected treatment or put off diagnoses.

“When cancer patients feel part of a community, it offers hope,” Mohler says.

Lindsay Brown & Family

“While we can’t all be in person this year, I still want them to know that this community is here for them. The survivors who come will be loved on.”

Lindsay Brown, 39, has learned firsthand what it feels like to be part of a community. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2020, near the start of the pandemic. The timing proved to be both good and bad.

“I have a love-hate relationship with COVID,” says Brown, noting that since most doctors’ offices were closed last spring except for emergency situations, she was able to move quickly once she found a lump. “I noticed the lump on Sunday, called on a Tuesday, was in for my mammogram on that Wednesday, and

by Friday I knew I had cancer.”

Brown, who has two boys aged 7 and 11, had a double mastectomy on May 13 - a difficult day, as her husband Chad dropped her at the hospital door and had to sit in the parking lot for the 10-hour surgery since no one was allowed in the waiting room. Thankfully, the day before she started chemotherapy, the hospital lifted restrictions and Chad was able to accompany her.

FIND YOUR STRENGTH AT THE Y We’re Here, with Care.

Your health is our priority, and we take it seriously. We’re taking extra precautions in our Ys and off-site programs, including enhanced cleaning following guidance from state and local health officials.

Programs and activities for all ages & interests.

“I was told if I were to contract COVID-19 during chemo, it would be devastating,” Brown says.

Though her family was a huge support, it was still a lonely time to be a cancer patient. Throughout her cancer journey, Brown documented her highs and lows on social media.

“Sometimes when I shared my feelings online, I felt like I

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was being a baby, but people would tell me, ‘Vent, girl! Do it!’”

Brown says. “They even sent me cookies and bottles of wine with supportive notes.”

a separate kind.

“If there’s a 38-year-old out there who feels a lump and thinks, ‘I’ll wait to deal with it when I’m 40,’ maybe my story will change their mind,” Brown says. “If I’d waited until I was 40 to get that mammogram, my story would have a different ending.”

While some people might not feel comfortable sharing such personal information, Brown did it as a sort of public service announcement, to alert other women to stay vigilant about their health, even if they’re young.

Mohler started following Brown on social media and reached out to tell her about Relay for Life. Brown decided to start her own team, called Lindsay’s Bosom Buddies.

“I never in a million years would have thought I’d get cancer,” Brown says.

Cancer doesn’t run in her family, yet she got it at age 38. Genetic testing concluded that she had a 40% chance of recurrence in the next decade if she didn’t undergo chemotherapy. She opted for four rounds of a chemotherapy combination, followed by 12 rounds of

Even though the event is labeled Relay for Life Brownsburg and is held in Brownsburg, Mohler stresses that event leaders want all Hendricks County residents and businesses to get involved.

“There are cancer survivors throughout the county and we want to

MAY 2021

welcome them all,” Mohler says.

why I love being a part of this.”

The event helps to lift spirits and truly make a difference.

If you or your business would like to donate a basket or become a sponsor, contact Mohler at RelayForLife.BrownsburgIN@gmail. com. For more information on Relay for Life, visit relayforlife.org/ brownsburgin.

“Every year the number of survivors goes up, while the number of those losing the battle to cancer goes down,” Kintner says. “That’s

MAY 2021

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MAY 2021

SKIN CANCER PREVENTION HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN AND ENJOY YOUR SUMMER Writer / Dr. Lawrence Mark, Dermatologist at IU Health West Hospital Photography Provided

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. Sun damage accumulates over time, which is why it’s important to understand how to protect your skin, especially during the summer months when more activities are enjoyed outdoors.

AVOID TANNING.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one indoor tanning session can increase your risk of developing melanoma by 20%, and squamous cell carcinoma by 67%. Both are common types of skin cancer.

Sunless tanning products can help you achieve a summer glow without damaging your skin.

BE AWARE OF UV INDEX. The higher the UV index, the more likely

you are to burn out in the sun. During the sun’s peak hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the UV index ranges from eight to 10, which is very high. During those peak hours, try to stay in the shade and avoid becoming sunburnt.

WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.

When you can, wear clothing that covers your arms and legs to prevent sun exposure.

Protect your head, face, ears and neck by wearing a wide-brim hat. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses.

WEAR SUNSCREEN.

Even on cloudy days, it’s important to wear sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen, with an SPF of 30 or higher, that is water resistant. Apply your sunscreen to any area that is exposed to the sun, 15 to 30 minutes before being in the sun. Don’t forget to protect your lips with a lip balm that has an SPF of at least MAY 2021

30. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially when swimming or sweating.

EXAMINE YOUR SKIN.

Skin cancer, when found early, is very treatable. Each month, examine your skin from head to toe, to check for any abnormalities. When performing your self-exam, look for any growths, moles, birthmarks or brown spots that increase in size, color or texture, or are bigger than a pencil eraser. Keep an eye on any sores that continuously itch, hurt, bleed and do not heal within a few weeks.

If something looks unusual to you, contact your dermatologist to schedule an appointment. See a board-certified dermatologist at least once per year for a professional skin exam, to help detect skin cancer early.

IDEAS FOR SPRUCING UP YOUR BACKYARD SPACE

Writer / Claire-Anne Aikman Photography Provided

Since many of us spent 2020 improving the interior of our homes painting, decluttering and adding creative office spaces, I thought it might be a welcome time to offer some clever, inexpensive, and mostly easy-to-assemble ideas to spruce up your backyard space.

Here are six of my favorites: • Horizontal board privacy screen: Made out of wood slats, this simple piece can be an elegant way to gain a little privacy for your patio. It does require digging, for the posts. Directions and completed pictures can be found at freshmommyblog.com/ horizontal-slat-fence.

• Stock tank: These tank pools can be found at your local feed and farm store, and have been popping up as water features on decks and patios. Create a fountain, a haven for fish, or even a soaking spot for you on a hot day. These tanks can be a bright spot for your outdoor space, and you can also paint them.

easel. Whichever way you choose, this space will be welcomed by little hands looking to get messy - and with hoses nearby, cleanup can be easy. As an added bonus, you can hang the artwork around the yard for everyone to enjoy.

• Garden trellis: If building the horizontal board privacy fence is too intimidating, a garden trellis could be a simpler solution. You will need some posts, hooks and wire, and of course climbing plants. Once grown, this becomes a great seasonal privacy screen.

Full instructions can be found at earthfoodandfire.com/buildinga-diy-wire-trellis.

• Fairy garden in a large pot: This is a great project for little hands, with endless possibilities and no wrong approach. All you need is a large pot, some dollhouse or miniature furniture, and whatever supplies you can find in nature, such as twigs for handmade benches or stones for pathways. Let imagination guide assembly, and placement of furniture, flowers and stones. Need inspiration? Visit simplepracticalbeautiful.com/create-fairygarden-flower-pot.

• Fire pit: With the ready-to-use selection found at your local Have fun! home-improvement store, fire pits no longer require digging holes in the ground. Many are built for patio and deck spaces, and offer charm and coziness with little hassle.

• Outdoor art center: Keep this simple by clipping paper to a fence and keeping paint nearby, or dress it up by building an

Claire-Ann is a West Side Realtor helping people make Hendricks County their home. You can reach her at 317-345-6640 or caikman@encoresothebysrealty.com

BrownsburgMagazine.com / MAY 2021 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 25

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BRIGHTER PATH S H E LT E R I N G W I N G S P R OV I D E S H O P E FO R T H O S E A F F E CT E D

BY D O M E ST I C A B U S E Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photography Provided

economic and emotional resources they need to do that.”

Since Sheltering Wings first opened its doors in 2002, the nonprofit organization has helped scores of individuals who suffer domestic abuse. According to Executive Director Cassie Mecklenburg, the nonprofit helps roughly 250 women, men and children annually through residential services. In addition, they provide prevention and education all across the county in churches, schools and workplaces. The organization also offers a 24/7 helpline, fielding thousands of calls each year. Sheltering Wings aids, in numerous ways, those who suffer domestic abuse, to help them get back on their feet.

The fundamentals of all abuse are control and manipulation, so regardless of how it manifests itself, whether it is physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse, it all boils down to control. As Mecklenburg points out, during the pandemic, because many people have been isolated and quarantined together with spouses or significant others, the opportunities for control and manipulation have increased.

“People are much more hesitant to call a domestic shelter or service provider, or even a friend or family member, for help when their spouse or significant other is sitting right next to them on the couch or in the room next door,” Mecklenburg “We know it’s not enough to just help a says, adding that this unique period of person get out of an abusive relationship,” time has underscored the importance of Mecklenburg says. “We want to help them community, and helping one another in build safety, stability and independence times of crisis. so that they can move forward. Therefore, we work with them to develop all of the For instance, office colleagues might

normally see signs that would prompt them to check in with a co-worker and ask if everything is OK. Teachers might see a change in student behavior at school and inquire if something is going on at home.

During the pandemic, however, with so many individuals working and learning virtually, people haven’t had as many opportunities to be around one another as they would normally. As a result, many individuals have experienced abuse at a much more frequent and dangerous level, since abuse has a tendency to escalate over time.

“Isolation and quarantine created this perfect storm of an environment where abuse is ripe to happen more,” Mecklenburg says. “Unfortunately, it has and it did.”

In addition, the staff has seen a spike in deteriorating mental health in recent months.

“We’re seeing families coming to us with

28 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 / BrownsburgMagazine.com

significant and severe mental health challenges - way more than we were seeing before,” Mecklenburg says. “It’s all interwoven together.”

As a result, families seeking Sheltering Wings’ services are in need of an extra level of care, concern and therapy, to help them not only address abuse, but also residual mental health effects.

The coronavirus has impacted everything, including the need for Sheltering Wings to decrease their daily census. While their full capacity is 80 beds, they had to drop that number to 55 in order to manage social distancing and minimize the risk of spread. Despite having a lower census, they still housed 8% more families than they did the year before.

“When you go from daily census capacity of 80 to 55 yet you still serve more families, what that means is that families are moving in and out at a much quicker rate,” Mecklenburg says. “Families were feeling much more unsettled, and more transient in the process. It pointed to two growing needs - our need to provide aftershelter services and help families find permanent, safe housing even more than before.”

That’s precisely why Haven Homes, an affordable, supportive-housing apartment community being built in Plainfield, is coming at just the right time. In June of 2020, in partnership with developer RealAmerica and Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, Sheltering Wings broke ground on Haven Homes, located across the street from The Shops at Perry Crossing. Sheltering Wings will have access to 13 of the 52 units for residents who move out of the shelter but cannot yet afford rent. Sheltering Wings families will have first right of refusal on the remaining 39 units, but the community at large can also live in the apartments.

The staff is currently taking information from members of the community who are interested in living at the property, and placing them on a wait list. In the fall, those people will be contacted to determine their interest and connect them BrownsburgMagazine.com / MAY 2021 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / 29

with availability.

Mecklenburg describes the clubhouse as much more than the average apartment community clubhouse. In addition to all the typical amenities, Sheltering Wings will staff the clubhouse, and the building is designed with the capacity to host life skills classes and programs onsite. It will be a vital extension to all that happens at the facility in Danville. Cummins Behavioral Health Systems will offer direct access to their therapeutic services.

Despite the pandemic, construction is still on track and the plan is to open in early December of 2021.

“What’s so wonderful about this partnership is that it allows our families

to transition from victim to survivor,” Mecklenburg says. “They won’t be defined by their past because they are living in and amongst members of the general community. We are privileged to partner with RealAmerica to be able to provide this.”

Mecklenburg says one potential hiccup with the move-in date involves acquiring appliances, as appliance shipments have been impacted by COVID-19.

“It’s possible that we could have the entire community built out and ready to open, but we won’t have refrigerators, stoves and microwaves,” she says. “Right now, it’s on a months-long delay, but we’re hoping it all works itself out by December.”

The organization’s priority of providing emergency housing and helping to build stable and independent lives hasn’t changed, but the way they do this has changed throughout the last year.

“In order for us to be responsive to the evolving needs, as well as the growing demand on our services, it takes community support,” Mecklenburg says.

This support comes in all different forms, as the organization needs both financial resources as well as volunteers.

For instance, the staff keeps an ongoing wish list of needed items. Currently, this includes toilet paper, paper towels, bath towels and twin-bed sheets. Linens and towels are always in short supply because whenever a family leaves the shelter,

30 / BROWNSBURG MAGAZINE / MAY 2021 / BrownsburgMagazine.com

Sheltering Wings sends them off with the towels and sheets they used during their stay.

Current construction in process

The organization is also constantly seeking volunteers to help free up staff time to address the ever-changing needs of the families.

“We’ve been unbelievably blessed and so appreciative of the way our community has responded,” Mecklenburg says.

“History shows that our community really cares about our families and wants to take care of them. We are moving forward, adapting our programs and services, and trusting that we will continue to be able to do that based on the phenomenal community support.”

For more information on Sheltering Wings, call 317-718-5460 or visit shelteringwings.org.

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