COLUMBUS, Ind. – Dove Recovery House for Women officially broke ground on Friday 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.
The project is the result of a local grassroots effort that began in 2021, when 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 Indianapolis and Jasper, which combined serve over 150 women annually.
