Article submitted by Jamie Fleury The Pilot News Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — At long last members of the community and partners celebrated the Plymouth Garden Court Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Saint Katharina Serenity Place, a permanent supportive housing project, Thursday afternoon.
Senior Managing Director of Bradley Company Rod Ludwig thanked everyone who made the project possible, including Garden Court staff Senior Property Manager Holly Richwalski, Chief Operating Officer Kara McGuire, Regional Property Manager Alonda Jenkins, and Maintenance Supervisor Bill Duff. “It’s more than a building. It’s going to be a home for a lot of people and we are just thrilled.” General Manager of R. Yoder Construction Steven Clark said, “This day is exciting for all of us. It’s interesting because when we got this project over a year ago it was more to us than a set of plans. This is more than just a building. It was an answer to prayer for so many in our community. So many that need our prayers the most.”
He noted the team work involved in making that plan a reality which involved multiple partnerships, including the community.
President of Garden Court Board of Directors Jim Causey recognized the City of Plymouth, Marshall County Community Foundation, the Bowen Center, Bradley Company, Plymouth Community School Corporation Adult Education, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, and the Saint Joseph Health System. He also thanked the Board of Directors for approving the project in 2016 and the work they dedicated themselves to bringing the project to completion. He added thanks to Marshall County Community Corrections, the New Song Church in Plymouth and the First United Methodist Church for much needed contributions used for furniture. “Thanks again for a red letter day!”
Executive Director of Indiana Housing Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Jacob Sipe noted that the last couple of years have made it clear that housing, healthcare, education and infrastructure are all connected. He emphasized the importance of identifying opportunities to serve those facing challenges and to ensure that housing is available. IHCDA not only supports housing, but supportive housing with services in place to provide opportunities for residents and their families to be successful.
City of Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter thanked Prosecutor E. Nelson Chipman, Director of Community Corrections and Bourbon Town Council President Ward Byers, Plymouth Councilman Don Ecker, City of Plymouth Sean Surrisi, City of Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski, and Member of Plymouth Board of Public Works Bill Walters. “This has been a long time coming. On September 19, 2015 Serenity Wilson was taken from this world at the age of two. Such a tragedy for someone so young, so beautiful, so vibrant, so full of life.”
It was in the Spring of 2016 that several community members attended a presentation put on by the IHCDA to begin the process for bringing permanent supportive housing to Plymouth. It was decided that it would be named in honor of Serenity Wilson. December 16, 2020 ground was broken on Jefferson St. “After six years of dreaming we are finally seeing the reality by cutting this ribbon today.”
The goal is to save the lives of those individuals who don’t have the same resources and opportunities that many people do. He thanked Serenity’s grandmothers for granting permission for the use of her name and thanked all the supporters of the project who made the completion possible.
The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ presented a plaque and prayed a blessing. Sister Margaret Anne Henss PHJC held the plaque and Sister Joetta Huelsmann PHJC offered the prayer. PHJC will be celebrating 100 years in Marshall County this year. An open house with cake and refreshments followed the celebration. Loretta Peters said, “This is an absolutely wonderful day. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work of a lot of people.”
Serenity’s Grandmother Gina Williams and aunt Jenna Williams were there. Jenna devoted herself to take care of her niece Serenity as often as possible. Jenna was only 12 years old and a student at Riverside Intermediate school when Serenity went to heaven.
Serenity is missed and will never be forgotten by her family or the community.
