Speranza Cinco de Mayo dinner is a success

Bill Rethlake, Greensburg Daily News, Ind.
·2 min read

May 10—GREENSBURG — Residents, staff and board members of Speranza House treated guests and donors to a Cinco de Mayo-themed dinner at the Hitchin' Post event venue Sunday.

Sponsors for the evening were Decatur County Commissioner Tony Blodgett, O'Mara Foods, the Decatur County United Fund and Phase Financial LLC. Speranza House volunteer Liz Owens was the emcee.

Following a taco bar dinner, the focus was the purchase and remodel of Speranza's second house at 728 E. Broadway Street.

Speranza Vice President Danette Kennedy told the assemblage of her experiences in the home as a child and of the process through which Speranza House bought the home.

After her speech, recent program graduate Tabitha Jobe and aftercare participant Deanna White shared their testimonies.

Perhaps the most compelling moment was when Jobe talked about her first OWI and how she descended into full-blown alcoholism.

"I'm so glad that I made it to Speranza," she said in wrapping up her comments. "With their help and encouragement, I am 10 months sober. If you do what they say and you give it your all, your life will change for the better."

Speranza Co-Directors Brittany Steward and Jeanne Wiseman fielded questions from the guests, and then shared a thank you letter from current resident Shannon Henchon.

Speranza House is a faith-based 501c (3) not-for profit recovery house. Their board of directors include President Dorene Greiwe, Vice-President Danette Kennedy, Secretary Janet Hodson and Treasurer Jim Stewart along with board members Jennifer Sturges, Courtney Schroeder, Jamie Bridges, Jeff Porter, Stuart Reed, Tammy Sidell, Tony Blodgett and Sarah Hamer.

The Speranza House is open to women 18 and older and offers a structured 9 to 12-month program of training in life skills, financial literacy, parenting, healthy relations and 12-step protocols, to name a few.

To learn more about Speranza House, call 812-222-0079 or visit www.speranzahouse.org.

Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com.