An ENCOURAGING word from Dana Jones, Wheeler Mission—Bloomington’s Director of Community Engagement and Services this Easter Sunday:

Hope is a word we hear everywhere, often used to describe a desire for a changed circumstance or a wish for something better. Whether it’s hoping for a... new job, hoping for good weather, or hoping for things to improve in life, it’s a term thrown around frequently in everyday conversations. But in many of these cases, the hope being expressed is fragile, uncertain, and based on circumstances that can easily shift.

For us as Christians, hope is not just a wish or longing for things to change. It is an eager, confident expectation grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope doesn’t depend on our circumstances but on the unshakable promises of God.

At Wheeler Mission--Bloomington, we witness this living hope every day—transforming lives, renewing spirits, and restoring dignity to those who have experienced hardship. It’s a hope that is real and certain, a confident trust that God is always at work, bringing renewal and redemption.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” — 1 Peter 1:3

This Easter, we celebrate a hope that is sure, eternal, and life-changing. And this hope is available to you as well. No matter where you are or what you’re facing, the resurrection of Jesus offers a living hope that can transform your life, heal your heart, and bring peace that surpasses understanding.

He is risen—He is risen indeed!

Wheeler Mission—Bloomington’s leadership just launched a new initiative this past week to encourage our guests—a quarterly alumni chat. Chris (pictured center top right) shared his story where he visited our Westplex Avenue campus several years ago as an emergency shelter services guest and ...was faced with very difficult physical challenges.

Over time, Chris chose to enroll in our addictions recovery program at Wheeler’s Hunt Training Center in northern Monroe County. Chris was disciplined and completed the program, ultimately choosing to stay connected to our Bloomington operations as a Servant Leadership Trainee (SLT), serving in a variety of capacities alongside our team.

Upon completing our SLT program, Chris, through the help of case management, was able to secure a steady income and permanent housing here in Bloomington, along with rebuilding his relationship with his children. So great to see and hear from Chris.

With Indiana University’s School of Optometry’s second visit to our campus the last couple of months, nearly 30 guests experiencing homelessness, including women, have received onsite eye care services and referrals to Atwater Eye Care Center for treatment plans. Grateful to the School of ...Optometry for giving Wheeler Mission—Bloomington’s guests grace and dignity as we fulfill our daily mission.

In celebration of National Volunteer Month, Wheeler Mission—Bloomington will be highlighting individuals and groups in April who work behind the scenes to ensure our mission is fulfilled and vision is realized of equipping our guests to experience success.

Today, we honor Carlie Davis ...(pictured). For nearly seven years, Carlie has donated her time, compassion and organizational skills to champion our Donation Center basement. Most weeks, you’ll find Carlie sorting through a variety of clothing, toiletries, and miscellaneous items within our Donation Center basement, so our guests’ basic needs are met.

From Carlie, “After moving here from San Diego in 2018, the 'retired' me needed to find a good volunteer 'job'. I loved Wheeler's faith-based mission for helping those experiencing homelessness and I could see they needed help with the donations. While it has taken a while, we are organized and able to make it easy for the staff to find the clothing needed for our guests. Thankful for how Wheeler Mission—Bloomington is meeting the needs of those experiencing homeless in our community!”

We are so thankful for you, Carlie!!

As a member of the The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Wheeler Mission—Bloomington is grateful for our local business community’s support of our cause and mission, especially for our special events, such as our annual 5K run/walk, Dash 4 Shelter. Event sponsors; specifically, Bill C. ...Brown Associates, Master Rental, and Pizza X allowed our team to provide our Dash 4 Shelter race participants with a fun and memorable experience.

Wheeler Mission—Bloomington’s team met this week for our quarterly check-in. After an encouraging devotion, led by Pastor Philip McCollum from Bloomington Reformed Presbyterian Church, our staff discussed a variety of topics ranging from welcoming/walking alongside/wishing our guests well, our... emergency shelter services plans for this spring and summer, how we’re observing our mission and vision statements manifested within our assigned posts, and what events and activities we’re anticipating these upcoming months. #TeamWheelerMissionBloomington

Today, on Saint Patrick’s Day, Wheeler Mission—Bloomington would like to recognize one of our Case Managers, Nicole Thomas (who just celebrated her birthday this weekend). Case Management is one of many services we provide each of our guests experiencing homelessness, yet in of itself, case ...management is comprehensive in nature.

Each week, on average, Nicole meets individually with 10-15 of our guests each week assessing their respective needs and creating action steps to address barriers impeding personal success.

Additionally, Nicole participates in biweekly case conferencing meetings with other local community agencies to house veterans in South Central Indiana through VA housing programs.

Moreover, Nicole attends biweekly Coordinated Entry meetings with local agencies that seek to house the vulnerable population those experiencing homelessness.

When appropriate, Nicole coordinates with other case managers, including Healthnet, Centerstone, and Beacon to help our guests reach personal goals and connect to services they need.

This past year, Nicole, along with Wheeler Mission—Bloomington’s Case Management team, has walked alongside 93 individuals to secure stable housing and 81 individuals to find employment/steady income.

With a 24/7, 365 day mission to serve any guest seeking assistance, Wheeler Mission—Bloomington always welcomes community volunteers willing to donate their time, passion, and skill toward our cause. Please consider the following opportunities to partner with us, just like the IU African Student... Association (pictured), and sign up individually or as a group here: https://www.wheelervolunteer.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=131969

• Front Desk Support
• Deep Cleaning
• Housekeeping
• Meal Service
• Share A Meal (Prepare/Deliver A Meal or Order Catering)
• Assemble/Deliver Sack Meals
• Barber/Stylist
• Service Projects
• Donation Sorting

IMPORTANT: Wheeler Mission—Bloomington is in need of boxes of disposable gloves for our daily meal service program and toilet paper for our guests. Please reference our Bloomington Amazon Wish List at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/LBJV05AAY2CT?&sort=default when considering ...purchasing and shipping these items to our Westplex Avenue campus (215 S. Westplex Ave., Bloomington, IN 47404). Thank you for your support!