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Lexington House of Elkhart describes clubhouse services; board takes testimony on exemption request
Summary
Lexington House of Elkhart, an accredited mental‑health clubhouse, presented testimony on Aug. 19 about its Clubhouse International model, employment supports and community partnerships as it seeks a property tax exemption for 2025; the board heard evidence and will decide later.
Representatives of Lexington House of Elkhart told the Elkhart County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals on Aug. 19, 2025, that the nonprofit clubhouse provides day‑program services, employment supports and community integration for people with serious mental illness and asked for a charitable property tax exemption for a parcel in Elkhart.
Audra Mark (board president) and Francis Dizon (executive director) described the clubhouse’s structure and activities, emphasizing voluntary participation, “work‑ordered day” activities (units such as phone answering, QuickBooks, kitchen planning), education and three tiers of employment support: transitional employment (TE), supportive employment and independent employment. They said the site operates Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., and that staff and members support members in job applications, mock interviews and on‑the‑job coaching; for some TE placements, staff will cover a shift if a member cannot attend so employer partners are not left short.
Impact metrics and funding: presenters said the clubhouse tracks “We Are Not Alone” (WANO) episodes — instances where members choose to come to the club rather than isolate — and reported about 4,300 such visits in 2024. Average daily attendance was stated as roughly 16.5 members, with projected growth to 25–35 daily users as kitchen and program units scale up. Funding sources described included a signature annual fundraiser (Monarch Gala, described as generating roughly $100,000), grants (roughly another third of revenue), private donations and local philanthropic partnerships including the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and United Way.
No decision at hearing: the board accepted documentary evidence (newsletter, ledger) and sworn testimony and adjourned for later deliberation and written determination; Settles said petitioners would be notified by mail and could appeal to the Indiana Board of Tax Review.
