Speakers

Please welcome Chris Garner, Executive Director, Sarah Farris, Life Resources Director, and Sarah Burton, Food Resources Coordinator from The Hub—Hearts United for Bristol

Hearts United for Bristol (also known as The HUB), is a non-profit organization that serves the community of Bristol.

Executive Director, Chris Garner, took over as the director of the Bristol Community Food Pantry approximately 5 years ago. After his first couple of years, he recognized the need for a more comprehensive assistance program to be available for the residents of Washington Township. Once his vision was shared with the food pantry board, community leaders, area churches and businesses; The HUB was established. With its new name, Sarah Burton was hired part time to assist with most aspects of the food pantry side. She heads up food resourcing – finding and comparing/ordering food from different locations. She also coordinates food drives as well as pantry volunteers, particularly for non-pantry days and for food deliveries. The first expansion of The HUB, outside of the pantry, was Life Resources. In early 2023, Sarah Farris was hired as the Life Resources Director. Her role is to meet with individuals and families who are in danger of eviction or disconnect of their utilities. Working in partnership with the Washington Township Trustee, she determines eligibility of financial assistance. Once determination is made, she meets with area property managers to pay portions of rent or pays utility companies. She also connects individuals with other area resource offices if their needs do not fall under the parameters of what The HUB provides. Ultimately, a third wing will be established in the future that will be called The Exchange. This expansion will provide assistance to families in need of home and/or appliance repair. Chris and both Sarahs work independently as well as together to continue to spread awareness of The HUB and how local businesses, churches and families can become connected through volunteering and/or financial support. Our ultimate goal is to bring Hope, Healing and Wellness to Bristol.

OUR MISSION:
Bringing hope, healing and wholeness to Bristol.

CORE VALUES: 

• Building a connected community through relationships
• Showing mercy and compassion by caring for people right where they are
• Supporting and walking alongside others by providing resources and guidance to help in all areas of life
• Providing a way to give resources and time through serving and gap - assistance

For more visit: www.thehubbristol.com

Please welcome Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Levon Johnson who will give an update on Downtown Elkhart.

AS President/CEO, Levon oversees research, development, and implementation of strategic planning to address the priorities as identified by the Board of Directors. He directs operations of the Chamber to carry out programs of work to meet the members’ needs and acts as a chief spokesperson for the Greater Elkhart business community in areas that are supported by Board and Council policies. Levon also serves as Secretary to the Board of Directors.

For more about our Chamber visit: https://www.elkhart.org/

Please welcome Greg Conrad, President & CEO and Kristin Hall, Development Director of Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County.

Mission: 
Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

About: 
Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County has been part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seek to put God's love into action by building homes, communities, and hope.  Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.  Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

For more visit: https://www.habitatec.com/

Sandra Chambers Real Services

Mission & Vision
REAL Services assists in establishing a community in which those we serve can maintain their independence to the maximum degree possible and find meaning and satisfaction throughout their lives. We offer services in 12 counties across Northern Indiana, including Elkhart, Fulton, Jasper, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke, and St. Joseph.

REAL Services will be recognized as the trusted and valued community resource for Aging Adults, those striving to become financially self-sufficient, those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia as well as those who care for them.

Their Story:
REAL Services provides programs that promote nutrition, self-sufficiency, education, and protection for 30,000 people in northern Indiana each year. Created in May of 1966 as part of the planning division of United Way, REAL Services was established to develop a service network to meet the needs of older adults in St. Joseph County. 1967, REAL Services received the first federal grant in Indiana from the U.S. Administration on Aging (AOA) for Research and Development. This grant funded the Information, Counseling, and Referral (ICR) program, which originally sent interviewers door-to-door with questionnaires to determine the immediate needs of the elderly in the community. With this information, REAL Services could then refer seniors in need to the appropriate health, welfare, employment, housing, legal aid, and other relevant community services. As a result of the ICR project, a directory of community services for older adults was prepared and distributed, and new programs were developed to meet any unmet needs. In 1968, REAL Services designed the first program in the entire United States to set up nutrition sites to provide meals and socialization for older adults—a program which has served as a model for nutrition assistance across the country. REAL Services has since established itself not only as a state-wide leader, but as a national example in effectively serving the senior community through innovative ideas, competent management, and sound financial guidance. Without REAL Services, more than 5,000 older adults each year would have to move to nursing homes to receive the care they need, and 2,000 people in the community would not have access to food each day. The staff and volunteers at REAL Services work tirelessly to help people of all ages, races, nationalities, and income levels to maintain their integrity and independence, and to achieve satisfaction in their lives. To do this, REAL Services runs more than 20 distinct programs that promote nutrition, self-sufficiency, education, and protection for 30,000 people in northern Indiana each year.

Please welcome Art Bowers, founding member of the OWLS CLUB, Elkhart's active aging center where where Older, Wiser, Life-Loving Seniors Can Play, Learn, and Connect.

OUR MISSION
Owls Club is a private, community organization that exists to help aging adults in Elkhart County and surrounding communities thrive throughout their pre- and post-retirement years.  Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of adults 55 and older through meaningful opportunities for service, lifelong learning, active play, and social connection.

OUR VISION
Our vision is to be an indispensable community asset for older adults as they navigate and embrace the entire aging process.  We envision a community where every adult 55 and older will have access to programs and services in a welcoming environment that fosters wellness, encourages socialization, and promotes active aging.

OUR VALUES - We believe older adults are individuals who:

• have ambition, experience, talent, wisdom, and creative capacity
• are capable of continued growth and development
• can be vital contributors to community life and to the lives of others
• thrive when given opportunities to stay active, curious, and connected

OUR LOCATION
Owls Club is located on the Trinity United Methodist campus at 2715 East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart, Indiana. “Trinity on Jackson” is a 60,000 square-foot facility with a full gymnasium, stage, classrooms, kitchen and dining areas, and a 700-seat sanctuary/auditorium.

Trinity has a long history of opening its doors and modern campus to a number of organizations, including Riverview Adult Day Health Center, Trinity on Jackson Preschool, and Barklee Basketball. They share Owls Clubs’ vision to provide a safe and welcoming space where seniors can socialize, attend classes, and enjoy longer, healthier, happier lives.  

OUR FOUNDERS - In 2021, a small group of seniors in Elkhart recognized a gap in services for the active-aging and committed their time, talents, and treasures toward making this center a reality. 

• Art Bowers
• Connie Fulmer
• Karen Koelsch
• Frank Martin
• Marsha Martin
• Dave Rowley
• Susan Rowley