Mission First outlines veterans recovery campus in northern Warrick County, says it secured nearly $9 million grant

Sean Georges, introduced as a Mission First board vice president, told the Warrick County School Corporation board that his organization is developing a veterans recovery campus in northern Warrick County called the Sanctuary On The Hill.

Georges said the property includes 93 acres and a 6‑acre lake and that the organization plans an activity center, five small overnight cabins and equine therapy facilities. "We received an incredible grant from the Eli Lilly Foundation ... almost a $9,000,000 grant," Georges said, and added that the grant has helped put up buildings but that the organization is still developing programming.

The presentation included a short video featuring Paul Lindbergh, identified as a Marine Raider, who described the mental‑health and family challenges veterans face during transition and praised outdoor, peer‑based activities as an outlet. Georges said Mission First will focus first on a four‑county area (Gibson, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Posey) and will expand programming after refining staffing and approaches.

Georges asked for community assistance and volunteer support and said volunteers and local employers will have opportunities to help at the center. He said the first activity center is under roof, that buildings will be finished and that programming is expected to start in the coming year with all buildings complete by 2027.

Board members asked about volunteer roles and eligibility; Georges said the program will start with the four‑county area and then expand. No formal board action or financial commitment by the district was made during the meeting.