Donations Needed for New Home in Jacob’s Village

In 2012, Karla Ficker moved into a house at Jacob’s Village, an independent, non-profit service provider in Evansville, Ind. Jacob’s Village partners with Bethesda Lutheran Communities to provide residential supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her parents, Paul and Susie, are thrilled Karla has responded positively to her new home and Bethesda staff. The opportunity Karla received is about to open up for four more people. However, it will require support from donors to make that house a home.

Jacob’s Village is building a four-bedroom home for men, adjacent to their other properties, with an estimated completion date of June 2014. Bethesda will be providing in-home supports at the location. Jacob’s Village will maintain the lease. Similar arrangements between the two agencies have already taken place at six other properties in Evansville.

Rudy Winderlich, Bethesda’s area director for Indiana South, loves the partnership which has helped families. “Because of the cooperative relationship, each of us can follow up with these families and assist them as they are searching for homes and providers,” he said.

Non-profit organizations, like Bethesda and Jacob’s Village, rely on funds from supporters to transition people from waiting lists into their own homes. Items still needed for the new home include: kitchen furniture, living room furniture, dishes, pots and pans, silverware and utensils, and a vacuum.

Karla Ficker has personally benefitted from donations from caring individuals towards her new life. “It’s just been a blessing,” Susie Ficker said. “Karla was in another group home for several years but we wanted her closer to family. We have another daughter in Evansville and we had heard a lot of good things about Jacob’s Village. She loves to come home and visit us, but she always looks forward to going back to her own home now.”