Community Resources

If there is an emergency, call 911. Otherwise the phone number to contact the Van Buren Fire District is 812-331-1906. Their Facebook page is linked below.

Project Lifesaver is an invaluable program for individuals at risk of wandering or "eloping" with memory loss or impaired judgment. The Project Lifesaver program consists of tracking equipment and trained personnel for the fire department and a lightweight, non-removable wrist or ankle transmitter for the individual at-risk of elopement. Each wristband emits a unique radio frequency that enables tracking from the air or ground. Project Lifesaver programs are in place in surrounding communities and across the United States with great success--currently there are 1,200 programs in 45 states with a 100% rate of success in finding lost individuals alive.

Residents of Monroe County stand to greatly benefit from the Project Lifesaver program being implemented by the firefighters of Van Buren Township Fire Department. Currently there is no active program in place for the families and caregivers in need of tracking equipment. It is speculated that hundreds of Monroe County residents will benefit from this program, and many families are desperately awaiting the life-saving program. The program will be available to participating Monroe County residents AT NO COST with the help of donations and grants.

For more information about Project Lifesaver, you can visit Project Lifesaver International Headquarters at www.projectlifesaver.org.

The Facebook Page for the Monroe County program is linked below.

Community Kitchen provides free nutritious meals, nutrition education, referrals to other agencies, and a clean, comfortable social environment for patrons, staff and volunteers.

Through daily operations and educational outreach, Community Kitchen works to educate the public about the extent of hunger in Monroe County, explain probable causes of hunger, and provide ways to respond to hunger needs.

The agency's ultimate goal is for individuals to achieve regular access to an adequate diet through normal means. A soup kitchen is not considered "normal" means, but rather a "safety net" for people who have not yet achieved food security on their own.

New Hope for Families is a place for a family to call home while transitioning from homelessness to safe, stable housing. New Hope is the only shelter in Monroe County where families with children can find shelter together.  We serve families with respect and compassion, providing them with life-changing social services and a safe place to stay together when they need each other most.

New Hope also provides excellent early childhood care and education programs that help parents get back to work and prepare children to succeed in school and in life. Research shows that access to high-quality education is key to making a positive, long-term impact on children and the communities where they live.

MHC exists to ensure that all people have access to healthy, whole foods. When visiting the Hub, community members can find groceries in our food pantry, a space for shared learning in the garden and kitchen, resources to help grow and prepare food at home, and opportunities to build community and address the root causes of hunger.

The Salvation Army Indiana Division operates 28 Worship and Service Centers in addition to many Salvation Army thrift stores throughout the state of Indiana. The Salvation Army throughout Indiana is centrally managed by the Salvation Army Indiana Division headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Each year, thanks to generous donations, The Salvation Army serves more than 25 million Americans – or one person every second – from a variety of backgrounds. People who come to us for assistance will be served according to their need and our capacity to help – regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food assistance to low and no income people and families living in the United States. It is a federal aid program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, however, distribution of benefits occurs at the state level. In Indiana, the Family and Social Services Administration is responsible for ensuring federal regulations are initially implemented and consistently applied in each county.

The Shalom Center is Beacon’s day shelter and our main location, where Phil’s Kitchen, Rapid Re-housing, and Street Outreach all work from.

Shalom strives to be all-inclusive, creating as few barriers as possible between the guest and our services.