05/20/2026
It has been an extraordinary month for justice in our community. On Monday, May 11th, CAJE gathered in strength and unity for the 2026 Nehemiah Action — a night where our collective voice rang out with clarity: our counties must invest in real solutions for the mental health crisis affecting our neighbors. The turnout was strong, the energy was focused, and the message was unmistakable.
Rev. Samuel Buehrer of Bethel United Church of Christ - Evansville, Indiana opened the evening with a powerful reflection on justice, reminding everyone that our work is not optional — it is essential to the health and dignity of our community. His words set the tone for a night rooted in moral urgency.
Steering Committee Leader Deb Wrye of St. John the Baptist then delivered a compelling Problem Statement, laying out the stark reality: mental health needs in Warrick, Vanderburgh, and Posey Counties are growing rapidly, while services remain deeply underfunded and overstretched. Organizations like United Caring Services and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare are carrying enormous burdens with limited resources. UCS, which diverts people with mental illness away from jail and emergency rooms, is operating with one case manager for up to 200 people a day — and receives no county funding, despite serving residents from all three counties. With new state legislation criminalizing homelessness and rising jail costs, Deb made it clear: the need for proper mental health diversion is urgent, and counties must act.
CAJE then received a powerful Ally Statement from United Caring Services Executive Director Ryan Rigg. He described how the Diversion Center reopened just a year ago and is already transforming lives — keeping people experiencing mental health crises or intoxication out of jail and ERs, giving them a safe place to stabilize, and connecting them to long‑term care. The center expanded from four to five beds, added recliners, and has already served many guests since July 2025. Ryan shared stories of real people helped through the program, including a man with early‑onset dementia who was placed in assisted living, and others who were kept safe, fed, and treated with dignity even when they weren’t ready for treatment. His message was clear: this work saves lives, and it must be funded.
Deacon Joe Patterson of Mt. Olive Galilee then brought forward Vanderburgh County Commissioners Mike Goebel and Amy Canterbury to answer two direct questions:
Will you support and recommend a $50,000 allocation in the 2027 County Budget for UCS’s mental health initiative?
Will you commit to notifying CAJE when the allocation goes before the County Council so the community can show up in support?
Two of the three commissioners were present — and both said YES to both questions. Their public commitment represents a major step forward in securing the resources needed to keep vulnerable people out of jail and connected to real care.
CAJE celebrates this significant win and moves forward with renewed determination to bring Warrick and Posey Counties into this vital work. The momentum is real, the need is urgent, and our people power is making a measurable impact.
