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New Wings truly a community project
Renovated facility will assist women and children in transition from victimization to self-sufficiency
Herald-Times Editorial - November 18, 2007

When Middle Way House of Bloomington launches a new project, the community can’t help but notice.

The New Wings Community Partnership, to be housed in the former Coca-Cola building at 318 S. Washington St., is a comprehensive plan for facilities and programs intended to help women who have experienced domestic violence develop sustainable alternatives. The “new wings” are the many tools the partnership will offer to assist women in transition from victimization to self-sufficiency: employment opportunities, child care, legal advocacy, counseling, independent living, and of course, emergency shelter.

At Thursday’s open house, Middle Way House director Toby Strout beamed while describing the plans for every square foot of the building, from converting the worms in the basement to a vermiculture operation to planting rooftop gardens with edible landscaping. Those herbs and flowering plants will support both the shelter and Food Works, Middle Way’s in-house business enterprise that provides opportunities to develop marketable work skills.

Eight donors have already assumed a leadership role as “Cornerstones,” contributing $25,000 each — an amazing gesture — toward the $5 million renovation needed to convert the building for New Wings. Many, many others have contributed smaller amounts to the fundraising campaign headed by Laurie Burns McRobbie. The gifts received so far will help get the renovations started. But much more is needed if the long-term goals of New Wings are to be realized — goals that extend far beyond the intended positive impact on the many women and children who will pass through its new facilities.

Once completed, New Wings will truly be a “community partnership.” By providing a facility that offers affordable housing, quality child care and programs for youth, employment and training for low-income women, green construction methods and sustainable systems, and historic preservation in the downtown area, the New Wings project will be a major enhancement to the community at large.

Here is information regarding our plans with the old Coca-cola building that was published in the Indiana Daily Student, as well as the history of Middle Way House.