Six months ago, Do Something Inc. announced plans to open a Launch House where people struggling with addiction could connect with services.
The house they were looking to convert into that center is now for sale while Do Something Inc. looks for a funding stream.
However, the group now has a phone number which anyone can call 24/7.
Melissa Tatman, the volunteer communications director for Do Something Inc., has the phone with her always. Tatman herself is a recovering addict who has now been certified as a peer recovery coach.
“People in crisis can call, and people have called,” Michelle Joy said.
“The purpose is to connect all of the resources and people to the resources,” said Cory Joy. “She knows who to talk to and how to make it happen.”
Michelle and Cory lost their oldest son, Caleb, to a heroin overdose over Labor Day weekend 2017. After his death, the couple left the county for a few days, but they still tuned into their church’s livestream of Sunday service. New Life Community Church Pastor Tim Conboy said the phrase, “Do something,” and Michelle wrote it down. At that time, Do Something Inc. was born.
Nearly two years later, the phrase has grown into a Facebook group where more than 1,500 members share messages of hope, meeting information and recovery successes, and requests for help. Opening a Launch House was one goal to meet those requests.
“We’ve never done this before, so in my mind it was like, ‘Oh this will go really fast,’” Michelle said. “But there’s just so many steps in the process.
“We’re still pushing forward and still looking to open the Launch House; we’re just not exactly sure where it’s going to be.”
The plan had been to open it in the same home where the Joys were living when Caleb passed, but the house has now been put up for sale. It belongs to Michelle’s mother. “She went ahead and put it on the market just to see what would happen,” Michelle said.
“We don’t have a good solid funding foundation, so we weren’t able to sign a lease.”
Do Something Inc.’s board is looking to secure monthly donors. In addition to opening and supporting operations at the Launch House, they would like to be able to pay Tatman a stipend for the work she has done for free so far in the movement.
They’re also considering putting the Launch House in Nashville instead. That could enable more people to get there by walking, compared to the house they had been considering on State Road 135 North in Fruitdale.
“If she (my mom) hasn’t sold the building, and that’s where we’re supposed to be then maybe we can purchase the building from her (if we secure funding),” Michelle said.
The Joys predict this will be a “big year” for Do Something Inc.
The group has a 10-person board that meets once a month. They are currently working on strategic planning led by treasurer Chuck Yeager. His wife, Stephanie, is also a member of the board. Other members include Pam Gould, the Joys, Sherri Rice, Terri Whitcomb, Cindy Stinson, Brenda Ely and Tatman.
The group’s mission statement is: “Partner with individuals, families and the community to link people in need to resources that encourage, equip and empower them to live a life of wholeness and freedom filled with joy and hope.”
The board also came up with three areas they wish to target this year: Prevention, connections and restoration.
“Once you’ve been connected to a resource so that you can even get into rehabilitation, then we want to help people get jobs, find housing, (teach them) how to get your license back. … How can we help prevent, connect and restore?” Michelle said.
However, every member of the board has a full-time job. “It’s just taking time,” she said.
Tatman will be the director of the Launch House when it opens. “They can walk in the door and there’s an intake process: ‘Fill this out; we’ve got somebody that can meet with you.’ … It’s just, ‘What do you need?’” Michelle said.
With the phone number now active, Cory said it’s almost like the Launch House is “unofficially opened.”
“We don’t have a physical building, but if she (Tatman) needs to meet with someone, she does,” he said.
On April 26, Do Something Inc. will be the recipient of the Brown County Community Foundation’s first Giving Dinner of the year.
Do Something Inc. also has been talking with the community foundation about applying for other grants.
Do Something Inc. also would like to help provide awareness to Brown County School students next school year, such as convocations. The Brown County Sheriff’s Department and the schools have brought in jail inmates and parents who lost their children to overdoses to speak with students.
The Joys attended a convocation last school year. “It really made an impact on those students,” Michelle said. “I got feedback from parents, when their kids came home and just the things the kids were saying.”
Michelle, a teacher, said Do Something Inc. is open to other ideas to help make students aware of the dangers of drug use as well.
They are also speaking with Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground about having a Do Something Inc. night during their holiday light show this winter to raise awareness and money.
Other plans including having a resource booth at the Brown County 4-H Fair and hosting Hope Fest again.
“Those are just some of our goals. … We’re really looking to open something this year … but until then, we are still working on connecting people to resources and networking,” Michelle said.
“Being a presence in the community: That’s our goal.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Give, receive help” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Do Something Inc. now has a phone number for people in need of help or resources when dealing with addiction in Brown County. The number is 812-308-3188. Do Something Inc.’s communication director, Melissa Tatman, has the phone on her all the time.
Do Something Inc. is also looking for donations to help pay Tatman for her work with the nonprofit and to fund the opening of a Launch House in Brown County. The nonprofit would like to find donors who are willing to donate monthly, which would help them sign a lease or buy a building for the Launch House.
Donations can be made by visiting the New Life Community Church website, newlifecc.org, and clicking on the “give” tab. Checks also can be sent to New Life at 1450 State Road 135 North, Nashville, IN 47448 with “Do Something” written in the memo line.
Once the Launch House is open, Do Something Inc. will need volunteers to help. If interested in volunteering, or with questions, visit the Facebook page “Do Something, BC” or call the number above to speak with Tatman.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
