Huntington has “A Heritage of Caring”

Heritage Days 2025, June 11 through June 15, will celebrate the people of Huntington and how they care for one another with the theme, “A Heritage of Caring.” Over the years many individuals, businesses and organizations have united the community in caring for one another. Each week the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce will highlight one of these entities in this column.

Place of Grace cares for individuals exiting incarceration and inpatient substance abuse treatment who need support for their next steps. Located at 540 Guilford Street, the original home of Place of Grace, offers a qualified and compassionate staff that fosters an environment where residents feel safe, and are enabled to focus on their health and recovery.

The structured environment features a faith-based, recovery-focused program for the residents. It is the mission of the staff to help people stop cycles of destructive behavior related to addiction, trauma and poverty. Residents are cared for with a foundation undergirded by prayer, unity in purpose, a spirit of humility and a spirit of collaboration. Two additional transitional homes are available to those completing the Place of Grace program, and two new-build graduate homes have recently been completed.

Place of Grace envisions a Christ-centered community that empowers people to become responsible citizens with hope and purpose for their future. Brittany Renkenberger is the Executive Director and cares for the residents along with Director of Operations Jillian Parsons, Women’s Program House Manager Danielle Brown, Wellness Director Bev Carpenter, Peer Recovery Coach Joy Bir and various volunteers.

A Men’s Residential Recovery Program began in September 2024. Gene Hovis is the Men’s Program Director and Don Shone is the Men’s Recovery Coach. They are passionate about helping individuals transition from incarceration to positive living.

Place of Grace offers a program based on the Social Model outlined by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. Interpersonal aspects of recovery in a home rather than a clinical environment are emphasized. A person-driven, life-long and holistic process along with peer-support is prioritized. Biblical principles are part of the care received, and Place of Grace works with mental health treatment providers, nonprofits, churches, local 12-step fellowships and has the support of team members, some of whom have walked through the same life experiences.

Place of Grace is certified by the Indiana Department of Mental Health as a Level 3 Supervised Recovery Residence. It is also a member of the Indiana Affiliation of Recovery Residences (INARR), and several of the staff are certified recovery support workers.

Every resident is paired with a mentor to provide care, guidance, motivation and emotional support during their stay at Place of Grace. A background check and spiritual references are required to be considered for the volunteer mentor position. If selected, applicants must complete mentor training prior to being matched with a mentee, and agree to a one-year commitment. Previous mentoring experience is desired.

According to Place of Grace, 77% of the people they care for have experienced domestic violence, 75% began using drugs prior to age 18, 75% have at least one parent with a substance use disorder or criminal history, 68% have been diagnosed with a mental disorder prior to joining the program, 51% experienced sexual abuse, 40% experienced rape and 36% experienced child abuse/neglect.

A group of concerned community members who volunteered at the local jail in 2009 were concerned about these numbers, and for the female inmates in the local jail in 2009. These volunteers believed that a solution was needed to help the inmates break free from destructive lifestyles and addictive patterns. A committee formed in 2011 to create a home for women being released from jail and a board of directors was selected.

It was announced in September 2016 that the people in need of recovery from the things they had experienced, would have a home at Place of Grace. Trinity United Methodist Church allowed the home at 540 Guilford Street (the church’s former parsonage) to be a place that would provide Christian based therapeutic long-term recovery services to help women break their cycle of destructive behavior related to addiction, abuse and poverty. Work was begun to prepare the home for women to move in. Many individuals, churches and organizations dedicated time and contributions to make this possible. Place of Grace had its first resident in February 2017 with Sharon Metzger as the original Executive Director. Brittany Renkenberger followed Metzger in May of 2021 and continues in the Executive Director role today.

As a result of a resident’s time spent in the Place of Grace program, 96% of graduates saw an increase in knowledge of available community resources, 84% saw an increase in self-esteem, 76% saw a strengthening in their walk with God and 76% saw an improvement in their mental state of health.

Fundraisers and community partners such as local businesses and nonprofits help to make it possible for Place of Grace to care for the residents that are served. The Annual Red Party is a special gathering of women who support each other and raise awareness of the needs of Place of Grace residents. Food, fellowship and fun help to connect the community through a raffle of self-care baskets and a silent auction.

The Red Party is one of the many ways Place of Grace raises funds to continue caring for people in Huntington and the surrounding areas. Every dollar raised and every item donated directly impacts residents on their journey to freedom.

Each year a special evening is dedicated to the Place of Grace annual dinner. Those participating in the evening share the ministry’s past achievements and explain future goals. The annual dinner highlights the achievements of the recovery residents, shares updates about building projects, documents the success of social enterprise ventures and provides an opportunity for attendees to partner with Place of Grace to support the life-changing recovery programs.

The recovery ministry of Place of Grace’s social enterprise program, Gracefully Gourmet, began as a sales venture in popcorn. Beginning in March 2025, Bear & Beak Bakery in downtown Huntington, 37 E. Washington Street, became a part of the recovery ministry and was renamed Gracefully Gourmet.

As a social enterprise of Place of Grace, Gracefully Gourmet is a recovery-friendly workplace that offers employment readiness training for residents of the faith-based residential recovery program. Every purchase at Gracefully Gourmet supports the programs of Place of Grace. The bakery offers cookies, pastries, pretzels, bagels, breads and gourmet popcorn. It also has lunch features such as soups and salads. Orders can be placed at (260) 388-0001.

A benefit for the new men’s recovery program will take place Saturday, May 31 at Heritage Hall at 5 p.m. Called Ribs 4 Recovery, it is a barbecue cook-off event that will feature good food, music and community support. Tender ribs, juicy chicken or savory pulled pork will be offered. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for a chance to win items. Proceeds from this event will help to fund the men’s program. Tickets are $30 per person which includes a sampling of meats, two sides, dessert and drink.

Event sponsors are also welcome, and local businesses and individuals are encouraged to partner with Place of Grace at various sponsorship levels. The Ribs 4 Recovery event is a way to show support for the men’s program at Place of Grace.

For more information, to contribute or become a sponsor, email Place of Grace at info@myplaceofgrace.org, call (260) 358-7529 or visit the website at myplaceofgrace.org/give-now/. The mailing address is Place of Grace, P.O. Box 5172, Huntington, Indiana 46750.