Volunteers of America - The Richard Lugar Safe Haven

Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization and ministry of service dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives and reach their full potential, with a mission to offer hope, restore dignity, and transform lives.

Established locally in 1896 as an affiliate of the broader Volunteers of America founded by Ballington and Maud Booth, it has a rich history of addressing community needs from poverty relief and halfway houses in the early 1900s to modern evidence-based programs serving nearly 11,000 individuals across 65 locations in 16 communities in Ohio and Indiana, supported by nearly 1,000 professional employees.

Guided by core values of Respect & Trust, Integrity, Ministry of Service, and Creativity & Innovation, the organization employs a trauma-informed, holistic approach combining physical, behavioral, and spiritual care to promote health, housing, and human services under its Horizon 2026 strategic plan, boldly aiming to improve the health, happiness, and stability of communities.

It primarily serves vulnerable populations including veterans facing homelessness, unemployment, and suicide risk through programs like Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), employment training, rapid rehousing, and the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Program; pregnant women and mothers with substance use disorders via family-focused residential treatment at Fresh Start Recovery Centers that allow mothers and children to stay together, offering medication-assisted treatment, parenting skills, and aftercare; men involved in the criminal justice system with Turning Point Recovery Center's residential substance abuse programs; ex-offenders through reentry services with case management, job-readiness training, and counseling; homeless individuals and families via transitional and permanent supportive housing, emergency shelters, and Welcome Home Kits; youth and families experiencing housing crises or needing early intervention with prevention, education, and life skills programs like Operation Backpack; and those with mental health needs through outpatient and residential behavioral health services, all accredited by CARF and focused on whole-person recovery to foster self-sufficiency, family reunification, and community reintegration.

What we treat

Treatment & Programs

Levels of Care

The Richard Lugar Safe Haven operates uniquely on a "Housing First" model for veterans experiencing homelessness. Rather than requiring an initial commitment to substance-free living, residents work with case managers toward stable, independent housing while accessing outpatient recovery support.

Therapies

Clinical professionals utilize a deeply trauma-informed approach across all therapeutic interventions. Counselors frequently draw on motivational interviewing and peer support models, while facilitating access to medication-assisted treatment for individuals ready to address physical dependency.

Addictions

Case managers and clinical staff help residents actively dealing with drug addiction navigate practical paths to recovery. The broader organization provides extensive support for opioid use and other persistent dependencies, utilizing evidence-based methods to break the cycle of active addiction.

Conditions

The clinical team is highly trained in trauma-informed care to support those who have experienced intense emotional trauma. Through their veteran-focused initiatives, staff frequently help individuals navigate co-occurring mental health challenges and severe suicide risk.

Issues

A core part of this ministry involves tackling the intense life stressors that accompany addiction, including chronic homelessness and unemployment. Case managers offer robust support for overcoming legal hurdles, navigating the criminal justice system, and pursuing family reunification.

Programs

Volunteers of America - The Richard Lugar Safe Haven champions a low-barrier Housing First philosophy tailored specifically to regional veterans. Functioning as a faith-based ministry of service, the organization also coordinates specialized tracks across Indiana for mothers, children, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

On-site

Amenities

As a transitional living environment, this Fort Wayne space offers a safe haven for veterans to rebuild their lives. The facility provides a home-like setting equipped to support daily living needs while residents focus on gaining independence and securing permanent arrangements.

Coverage

Payment

To ensure vital care remains accessible to vulnerable populations, Volunteers of America - The Richard Lugar Safe Haven embraces a variety of public and private funding avenues. They readily coordinate with Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE, alongside commercial insurance plans like Anthem and Aetna.

Please contact the facility directly to verify insurance coverage and payment options. Many facilities offer free insurance verification.

Call to Verify Coverage

Eligibility

Who We Serve

This specific Fort Wayne location is uniquely dedicated to serving military veterans facing housing crises and mental health struggles. The broader faith-based nonprofit organization extends their compass to support pregnant women, diverse families, and men involved in the justice system.

Populations Served

Veterans

Additional Services

Wraparound support forms the backbone of the recovery process here, spearheaded by intensive case management and job-readiness training. Veterans benefit from specialized interventions like the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention initiative and rapid rehousing assistance to ensure long-term community reintegration.

About

Facility Info

Situated in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Volunteers of America - The Richard Lugar Safe Haven operates as a vital community outpost for a historic nonprofit organization. The local setting provides accessible connections to community resources essential for comprehensive job training and social support.

Credentials

Accreditations

Volunteers of America Ohio and Indiana maintains prestigious accreditation from CARF across its clinical and community employment programs. Their behavioral health services are also fully certified by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction.