Lighthouse Mission Breaking Ground on Future Downtown Location

Wabash County, IN __Grow Wabash County and Wabash Marketplace, Inc., are proud to welcome the Lighthouse Mission of Wabash as it takes the first steps toward establishing its new downtown Wabash location within the former Plain Dealer building at 123 W. Canal Street.

A ground-breaking ceremony will be hosted on Friday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. at this downtown location, and the community is invited to join the Mission in the celebration of this exciting milestone.

The West Canal Street building was previously home to the Wabash Plain Dealer. When the newspaper relocated to 99 West Canal Street, the building was donated to the City of Wabash to be used as they see fit. Possession of the building was, in turn, taken by the Wabash County Redevelopment Commission in November 2019. The Commission has worked alongside the Lighthouse Mission and other local organizations over the past several months to develop a “hub” of social services for the Wabash County community.

“We are excited about the new opportunities we have at the former Plain Dealer building to provide important social services to Wabash County citizens,” Brian Haupert, President of Wabash County Commissioners, said. “By making these resources easily accessible at a single location, we hope Wabash County residents will be able to find the supports they need to lead fulfilling, productive lives. We are proud to see Lighthouse Mission taking the lead and becoming one of the first of these organizations to relocate downtown.”

Lighthouse Mission will be the first of these social service organization to set up shop at 123 West Canal Street. In this new location, the Mission will continue its services which include providing free clothing for job interviews, transportation to area shelters, and offering vocational/developmental opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged residents.

Other organizations that plan to relocate to 123 West Canal Street include F.I.SH. of Wabash, 85 Hope Free Medical Clinic and Advantage Housing.

“We are blessed by our community investing in our project,” Kristi Clark, Board President for Lighthouse Mission of Wabash County, said. “We have raised $130,000 of our $200,000 goal in just a month. Thank you to all of those who have given. The project will start on time, and if anyone would like to continue giving, please send to Lighthouse Missions 806 N. Cass Street, Wabash or to our account at the Community Foundation, cfwabash.org.”

Construction and remodeling of the former Plain Dealer building will begin in October 2020 with plans to open in May 2021. In the meantime, the Mission will continue to serve people out of its current location at 806 North Cass Street in Wabash.

Their ground-breaking ceremony will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, as part of First Friday festivities. The community is encouraged to attend and celebrate these exciting new plans for the future of The Lighthouse Mission and downtown Wabash.