Dove Recovery House for Women Breaks Ground on New Facility in Bartholomew County
COLUMBUS, IN — Dove Recovery House for Women officially broke ground today on a new long-term recovery residence in Columbus, marking the organization’s third location in Indiana and the first of its kind in Bartholomew County. The home, expected to open in 2026, will offer no-cost, trauma-informed recovery services and housing for women overcoming substance use disorder.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the future site on Pavilion Drive near Marr Road and drew local leaders, project partners, and community supporters. Speakers included Wendy Noe, CEO of Dove Recovery House for Women; Mark Teike, Board President of Bridge to Dove; and David Force, Senior Architect at Force Construction Company.
“We are incredibly grateful to the community leaders and partners in Bartholomew County who have worked tirelessly to make this new home a reality,” said Wendy Noe, CEO of Dove House. “This expansion ensures that women here will finally have access to safe housing and high-quality recovery services—close to home and at no cost to them.”
The project is the result of a grassroots effort that began in 2021, when a group of local residents formed Bridge to Dove, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to women’s recovery services in the area. In partnership with Dove House and several key local funders, the group secured funding and rallied support to address the critical gap in services for women facing addiction and housing instability.
“This is more than just a building—it’s a turning point for our community,” said Mark Teike, Board President of Bridge to Dove. “This recovery home will help create a future where women have the support and resources they need to heal, thrive, and contribute to a stronger Bartholomew County.”
The Columbus location will operate as a Level IV recovery residence, as certified by the Indiana Alliance for Recovery Residences (INARR). It will provide comprehensive, evidence-based programming alongside safe housing—modeled after Dove House’s successful campuses in Marion and Dubois counties, which combined serve 150+ women each year.
Additional photos and b-roll from the groundbreaking ceremony are available upon request. Interviews with event speakers or Dove House leadership can also be arranged.
###
About Dove Recovery House for Women: Dove Recovery House for Women empowers women to become substance-free, self-sufficient, and healthy by providing safe, no-cost housing, high-quality programming, and—above all—hope for the future. As the largest recovery residence for women in Marion County and Dubois County, Dove House is certified as a Level IV Recovery Residence through the Indiana Alliance for Recovery Residences. Learn more at doverecoveryhouse.org.
About Bridge to Dove: Bridge to Dove Recovery House, Inc. is a nonprofit organization developing a new NARR Level IV recovery facility for women in Bartholomew County, Indiana. This project will serve as the new flagship location for Dove Recovery House for Women, a respected provider that empowers women to become substance-free, self-sufficient, and healthy through safe, no-cost housing and high-quality, trauma-informed care. In partnership with the United Way of Bartholomew County, Bridge to Dove is advancing a sustainable, community-supported solution to address addiction and homelessness among local women. Learn more at bridgetodove.org.
