OC Bridge to Stability Housing Collaborative

08/31/2026

Moving From Conversation to Action: The Next Step for Orange County

We are excited to announce an important next step in our work surrounding housing, economic stability, and the long-term health and well-being of Orange County.

We have officially engaged Dr. Nathan A. Schaumleffel and Driven Strategic LLC to help guide this next phase of the work—bringing experience in community development, nonprofit leadership, public administration, strategic planning, and community engagement to the table.

Dr. Schaumleffel who is based in Terre Haute Indiana, is the Proprietor and Senior Consultant of Driven Strategic LLC, a consulting firm specializing in nonprofit and public organizations, youth and human services, parks and recreation, foundations, and community engagement. He also serves as a Consulting Partner to the Indiana Youth Institute and a Technical Assistance Provider to MENTOR Indiana.

In addition to his consulting work, Dr. Schaumleffel serves as an Associate Professor at Indiana State University, where his work includes nonprofit leadership, public administration, and community engagement. He holds a Ph.D. focused on Youth and Community Development, Nonprofit Leadership, and Public Administration, along with extensive experience working with organizations and communities to move complex ideas from conversation toward action.

That experience matters because the challenges before our community are complex.

As Christian Blome, President of Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation, recently shared, philanthropy cannot solve these challenges alone—and neither can government, developers, healthcare, or the nonprofit sector. But together, we can convene, invest, remove barriers, challenge assumptions, and create the conditions where new solutions become possible.

That is exactly what this next phase is designed to do.

October 8: Bringing Orange County to the Table

Our first major step with Driven Strategic LLC will take place October 8, with a full day of meetings involving key partners who have walked beside of us thus far from throughout Orange County.

Dr. Schaumleffel will facilitate conversations with representatives from our faith-based community, workforce and employers, healthcare, nonprofits, and other community partners. Rather than beginning with a predetermined answer, we want to begin by listening—understanding what each sector is seeing, where the barriers exist, what resources we already have, and where opportunities for collaboration may be waiting.

Our work will have a particular focus on families seeking greater stability and our growing aging population. We want to better understand what it will take for younger families to build a future here while also creating opportunities for older adults to remain safely, independently, and connected to the community they have helped build.

Housing is an important piece, but this work reaches much further. Housing, workforce, healthcare, transportation, financial stability, aging in place, and access to opportunity are interconnected—and all ultimately influence the health of a community.

We don’t expect one organization, one meeting, or one idea to solve these challenges. We do believe Orange County has the people, partnerships, and willingness to think differently about what is possible.

We are incredibly grateful to Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation for investing in this work and believing alongside us that meaningful change begins when communities are willing to bring people together, ask difficult questions, and explore new solutions.

October 8 will be another important step—not toward someone else’s plan for Orange County, but toward a plan built with Orange County.

And we are excited to get to work.

Priscilla Woodrum
Executive Director Team OC

08/20/2026

TOGETHER is when change happens! Exciting times for Orange County.🥰

08/18/2026

OC Bridge to Stability — The Path Is Becoming Clearer

Today, after yet another conversation I found myself reflecting on just how far we have already come with the OC Bridge to Stability Housing Initiative—and we haven’t even reached the starting line of the work that lies ahead.

For many weeks, we have been searching for the right consulting group to walk beside us—one that can help us navigate difficult conversations, listen through surveys and community meetings, bring the right people to the table, and ultimately help us build the strongest plan possible not only for Orange County, but one that could inspire possibilities beyond our county lines.

To say this journey has been emotionally overwhelming would be an understatement.

Since the day we received this grant, there has rarely been a day when someone hasn’t reached out and said:

“How can I help?”
“Can I be included?”
“Let me be part of the conversation.”
“This has been a dream of mine and I want to help.”

Some days, there have been several.

And every single time, I am reminded that this dream belongs to far more people than any one or even multiple organizations.

There have been a few obstacles along the way. That comes with taking on something this significant. But those obstacles have been far outweighed by the doors that continue to open, the partnerships forming, and a path that becomes clearer with every conversation.

Next week, we anticipate signing with the consulting group that will help guide us through this process.

Once the contract is signed, we will begin by meeting with those who have walked beside us from day one. From there, we will continue expanding the table—bringing together faith leaders, employers, community organizations, service providers, families, and others whose voices and experiences need to help shape what comes next.

At every step, we will keep our community informed about what we are learning, where we are going, and how people can become part of the work.

The table is getting bigger.
The vision is becoming clearer.
And the work is just beginning.

07/17/2026

The foundation is being built… one conversation at a time.

One of the most exciting parts of the Orange County Collaborative for Housing & Economic Stability, made possible through the generous investment of the Being for Others Health & Wellness Foundation, is that while the work has not officially begun, the momentum already has.

We are currently in the final stages of selecting the consulting group that will guide this community-driven initiative. Although no formal work has started, the conversations taking place today are laying the foundation for what we believe will become lasting change for Orange County.

This week alone, we had the opportunity to connect with several incredible individuals who are excited about the opportunity the future holds.

-Mike Myers, representing Congressman Mark Messmer, scheduled a meeting this week with us after hearing about Team OC and the work we have done with our community partners and volunteers over the last several years.. It was exciting to share the forward-thinking approach our community is taking today to strengthen housing and economic stability for local families.

-Thanks to an introduction from Skylar Whiteman, we met with Kevin Keith from Ivy Tech Community College. Earlier this year, Skylar helped create an opportunity for 12 community members to earn a free CCMA certification, valued at nearly $2,500 per participant. She assisted in making the connection for Team OC with Ivy Tech and after a wonderful conversation this week about what we could do together , Kevin reached back out with an exciting opportunity. If they can identify an instructor and secure funding, Ivy Tech is prepared to offer another CCMA cohort, creating a pathway to careers paying $16–$20 per hour and helping families move toward long-term financial stability creating the pathway to home ownership and stability.

-We also met with Julia Kathary and Leslie James-Whilhite from the Albion Center, thanks to an introduction from Christian Blome. Their organization serves individuals and families impacted by abusive relationships, and they have expressed a genuine desire to partner with Orange County. We look forward to exploring how this collaboration can strengthen the support network available to some of our community’s most vulnerable residents and including them in the collaborative conversations as we move forward.

These meetings aren’t the project.

They’re the foundation.

Before plans are written, before strategies are implemented, and before initiatives are launched, strong relationships must exist. That’s exactly what is happening.

The Orange County Collaborative is not about Team OC. It’s about bringing together education, healthcare, employers, government, nonprofits, faith leaders, and community members around one shared vision: creating lasting pathways to housing stability, economic opportunity, and stronger families.

07/10/2026

Today, we welcomed partners from IU to the table as we continued building the foundation for the OC Bridge to Stability Housing Collaborative.

Our discussion centered on creating long-term pathways to financial stability that ultimately lead to housing stability. We explored what it looks like when someone first seeks support, how financial education can become part of that journey, and the important role our local banking partners can play in helping individuals and families build financial confidence, increase savings, and create lasting wealth.

This collaborative is about more than addressing today’s needs—it’s about creating a sustainable pathway toward long-term success for Orange County families.

Looking ahead, we hope to finalize our partnership with a consulting group next week. From there, leaders in Human Resources from some of our area’s largest employers will join the conversation as the next group at the table, sharing their vision and helping shape workforce solutions that strengthen both economic opportunity and housing stability.

Every conversation, every partnership, and every shared vision brings us one step closer to building a stronger, more resilient Orange County. We are grateful to everyone who continues to invest their time, expertise, and heart into this work.

07/01/2026

A special thank you to Skylar Whiteman and the Orange County Economic Development for connecting us with Uplands Regional Land Bank and then we brought in Orange County Habitat for Humanity for the conversation.

These are the kinds of collaborative discussions that create lasting change.

Even though we are just getting started with this initiative, these introductions and this meeting today turned into a gift of land to OC Habit for Humanity…that will allow an additional home to be built in 2027 in Orange County.

A new home, a new family…a chance at a better tomorrow!

As we continue the work of the OC Bridge to Stability Housing Collaborative, we are reminded that no single organization can solve our housing challenges alone. Real, sustainable solutions happen when nonprofit organizations, local government, businesses, and community partners come together with a shared vision and have a voice at the table.

Having different voices at the table brings different perspectives, stronger ideas, and greater opportunities for the families we serve. Every partnership strengthens our ability to create pathways toward safe, stable, and affordable housing throughout Orange County. We look forward to Bobbie Abel with the Upland Regional Land Bank joining us in the conversation as we work to strengthen housing and economic stability today, tomorrow and for the future of Orange County.

This is what “Better Together” looks like—and it is exactly how we will build a stronger Orange County for generations to come.

Thank you again to our new partners at the Upland Regional Land Bank for all the work they are doing to grow a stronger tomorrow in the work they are doing today.

Tom Motsinger
Alyssa Lawson
Team OC
Being for Others Health & Wellness Foundation
Orange County Habitat for Humanity
Uplands Regional Land Bank
Bobbie Abel

06/22/2026

Today was set aside for even more conversations with individuals who want to help this work and have a voice at the table. The excitement surrounding this initiative to be honest, brings a lot of emotion. People continue to raise their hands—not because all the answers have been decided, but because they believe we can build them together.

As we move forward, this work will not belong to one organization or one group of people. It will belong to a community willing to listen, collaborate, and create pathways toward stability for families working hard to build a better future.

Attached are four letters from amazing community members who were the first to raise their hand in the beginning to help navigate what the next year can look like as we work alongside our consulting group to build the Orange County Bridge to Stability Housing Collaborative. Three of the four also serve on the Team OC Board, but what stood out to me wasn’t their titles—it was that each message carried the same theme.

Housing stability matters.

Assitant Chief Christopher Cook spoke from the perspective of public safety, sharing how often law enforcement encounters families facing crisis with nowhere safe to turn. Dr. Thomas Bostic reflected on 30 years of ministry and counseling, reminding us that shelter is one of our most basic human needs and the foundation from which hope can grow. Brandon Query highlighted what can happen when a community rallies around a shared purpose and believes in what is possible. Jamey Sullivan connected the dots between housing, education, financial stability, and long-term community success through both his professional and volunteer experiences.

Different voices. Different experiences. The same message.

Thank you to every person who has stepped forward to be part of the conversation.

We’re just getting started, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be on this mission together.

06/19/2026

The past two days have been filled with interviews and conversations with consulting firms across Indiana as we search for the right partner to help launch the OC Bridge to Stability Housing Collaborative. Next week brings even more conversations as we continue looking for the team that can help us build a thoughtful plan designed to create long-term impact for Orange County.

Our vision once the consulting firm is hired is to bring every voice to the table. We will begin by listening to our faith leaders who are walking beside of us on this journey , who often know the stories of need before anyone else and are among the first to offer support. We will also engage our largest employers to better understand workforce challenges, starting wages, qualifications, benefits, and the realities families face as they work toward stability. Additional groups and community members will follow, because lasting solutions are built when everyone has a seat at the table.

I have never seen a community come together quite like Orange County, and I am overwhelmed by the compassion and commitment of the people who call this place home.

As we move forward, I want to recognize some of the individuals who continue to support this initiative. Raegan Wampler and her team who stepped in late last year to provide financial education to a single mother facing eviction, helping equip her with tools to better manage her finances during a difficult season. It was one piece of a larger community effort that helped restore stability and hope for a mother and son and a piece that no doubt will be added to our long term planning.

I am also grateful for Sheriff Davey Henderson, who sees firsthand the impact that financial stress, job loss, and unexpected hardships can have on families. His perspective and willingness to walk alongside others bring valuable insight to this work.

These are just two examples among many. Orange County is filled with people who consistently raise their hands and ask, “How can I help?” It is hard not to be emotional when you witness the love so many have for this community and the belief that, together, we can build a stronger future for all.

06/19/2026

We are incredibly grateful to the Being for Others Health & Wellness Foundation for believing in Orange County and in the power of community-led solutions. We are equally thankful to the many partners, organizations, and residents who have already stepped to the table, because meaningful change only happens when we work together.

As we move forward, our commitment remains rooted in honesty, integrity, and listening first. No predetermined decisions have been made. This initiative is about engaging our community, understanding the challenges families face, and building solutions together that strengthen housing stability and create opportunities for a healthier future.

We are honored to serve as stewards of this investment and will continue to approach this work with transparency, collaboration, and a deep respect for the people of Orange County. The best ideas come from the community itself, and we look forward to building this bridge to stability—together.

🌟 Grant Spotlight 🌟

Team OC and members of the Orange County, Indiana community were presented with an initial $50,000 investment to support their new community-led collaboration effort: the OC Bridge to Stability Housing Collaborative

Team OC will receive up to $250,000 for this effort over a three-year period through BFO's Community Collaboration grant program.

The Orange County Bridge to Stability Housing Collaborative will address the issue of housing instability and homelessness by fostering a coordinated, community-wide approach that helps individuals and families access safe, stable housing as a foundation for long-term health and well-being.

06/15/2026

Since the announcement of Team OC receiving the community collaborative grant from Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation grant on June 4, we have been humbled by the number of organizations, businesses, and community members who have reached out asking how they can be involved.

We want anyone and everyone who cares about the future of Orange County to have a seat at the table because we know we are better together, and no one can do this work alone.

The next three years will look different than anything our community has experienced before because no decisions have been made. This grant is not about one plan and asking others to follow it. It is about collaborating with our community to build the plan together.

Over the next 30 days, we will hire a consulting group to help guide this process. Following that, we will begin hosting community conversations to identify the strengths, needs, and opportunities that will move Orange County and its families forward.

We are deeply grateful for the many letters of support written on behalf of Team OC and this vision as well as letters speaking to the work Team OC has done thus far in the community.

Hoosier Uplands was among the first to stand beside us. SICHC, through the support of CEO Nancy Radcliff, shared her belief in this work. Mr. Jimmy Ellis reminded us through words just how much love exists for Orange County. So many others have also raised their hands and said, “How can I help?” and because of that I am once again left speechless at just how special Orange County is.

In the past week alone, conversations have continued with community leaders including Kristina Allen, Tonya Slone and Cyndi Longest, to name a few and several additional meetings are already scheduled as more partners step forward wanting to be part of this effort.

We’ve also received questions about whether this grant is connected to the housing repair grant awarded previously to the county....It is not. This funding is also not intended to create shelters.

Instead, it focuses on long-term stability and improving the lives of families throughout Orange County.

Together, we will explore solutions around stable housing, employment opportunities that attract and retain families, healthier communities, and other priorities identified by the people who call Orange County home.

This is Orange County’s plan that TOGETHER we will build.

As community meetings are scheduled, everyone will be welcome. We invite you to bring your voice, your ideas, your expertise, and your heart for this community. The future of Orange County will be strongest when we build it together.

If you have questions or want to be a part of this amazing journey feel free to reach out to me.

[email protected]