BLOG

Aspire Indiana Health has announced a $4 million capital campaign for the renovation and expansion of Progress House, the largest and oldest recovery residence in Indiana. 

To date, the capital campaign cabinet, led by co-chairs Bryan Brenner and Ted Sherfick, have assisted in securing $3.6 million toward the project goal. “I am proud of our team and the clients at Progress House,” said Brenner. “The work they do is difficult and important, and we are thrilled to announce the partnerships to make Progress House a continued place of recovery and healing.” 

Earlier this month, Lilly Endowment Inc. committed $1 million to the capital project. Additional lead gifts have been secured from Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Nicholas H. Noyes Jr. Memorial Foundation, and Merchants Bank of Indiana.  Several generous Central Indiana philanthropists have also participated including Bryan Brenner, Elizabeth and John Demaree, Ted Sherfick, and Gregory and Appel Insurance. 

“The Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation is pleased to award $500,000 to Aspire Indiana Health to support the renovation and expansion of Progress House's facilities," said Claire Fiddian-Green, president & CEO of the Fairbanks Foundation. "We know residential treatment and recovery programs play a critical role in supporting individuals with substance use disorder, and expanding Progress House's footprint will enable more Hoosiers to access effective treatment options as they work toward recovery."

Renovations at Progress House began earlier this year and include improvements that will bring the facility up to National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards and enhance quality of life and programming for residents. The project includes acquisition of two single-family homes that will add 20 new beds and serve an additional 50 men annually. 

“Progress House has transformed thousands of lives through the miracle of recovery over the last several decades,” said Darrell Mitchell, Aspire Vice President of Recovery Capital. “It is exciting to see the upgrade of our facility and the expansion of our footprint through this campaign. These improvements will not only enhance our services but also contribute to the betterment of our community. The quality of our facilities will mirror the quality of our programming and outcomes. We are incredibly humbled and grateful for the support being offered.”

Progress House currently serves approximately 300 Hoosiers annually. However, the need for recovery beds and support outpaces capacity in Central Indiana and beyond. Approximately 70 percent of Progress House residents successfully complete programming, well above industry benchmarks.

“I have watched lives change,” said Sherfick. “People who have been cast off are reconnecting with families, holding down jobs, living healthy and active lives serving others.  Progress House is a special place for sure.”

Progress House began in 1961 with a small group home on North New Jersey Street, and has been at its current location on Shelby Avenue since 2000. In 2019 Progress House merged with Aspire Indiana Health, creating a Whole Health Recovery Continuum as an innovative approach to providing services to combat substance use disorder.

Aspire’s recovery continuum provides a powerful array of medical, behavioral health and support services onsite. Currently the continuum includes Progress House, Mockingbird Hill Recovery Center in Anderson, Ind., and Next Step transition apartments in Indianapolis. The organization’s model has received national recognition from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) for its creative programming and successful outcomes.

More information about the campaign can be found at AspireIndiana.org/Give.