Indiana couple opens residential facility for women in need

CLAY CITY, Ind. (AP) - An Indiana couple has opened a residential care facility for homeless female veterans and women facing addiction.

Dan and Gloria Chassie, with the help of others, renovated a two-story home in Clay City in preparation of A Place Called Hope's grand opening earlier this month, the Tribune-Star reported. The home can serve up to 12 full-time residents.

'œWe started with two gallons of paint,'ť Dan Chassie told 100 guests at the event. 'œAnd by faith, everything else you see today God has provided.'ť

The couple sees the home as a long-term residential setting for drug, alcohol and abuse counseling, where parenting skills, job skills and financial management can be taught. It also will address healthcare issues, foster care issues, employment opportunities and transitional housing.

'œWe have a desire to see this home filled,'ť Dan Chassie said.

U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Newburgh, said the facility is an asset to the community.

'œSeeing local communities like this doing things like this to combat addiction is really critical,'ť Bucshon said. 'œAnd at the end of the day facilities like this - not the federal government over there in Washington - by communities and faith-based organizations and others are part of the solution.

Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch attended the event and joined the couple in cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

'œWhat you are doing by providing hope to female veterans, there is no greater calling or cause more noble,'ť Crouch said.

The Chassies hope the facility is successful enough to start a children's home nearby. Dan Chassie said women will be more likely to seek help if they know their children will be in a similar home.

The couple began their first rehabilitation program to address female drug abuse in 1981 and later pioneered a men's program in Florida.