DANVILLE — Since 1994, The Sanctuary in Danville has been providing services to residents of eastern Knox County to improve the quality of life by providing and coordinating health, education and social services.
Plans were announced on Saturday that will shake up the Sanctuary Community Action and change the landscape on Market Street.
The meeting was hosted by Sanctuary board member Denny Rawson who gave an overview to a group of about 60 people on The Sanctuary’s needs and plans.
“For the last two years, maybe three, we have been working on an exciting concept to expand The Sanctuary,” Rawson said. “We are here today to ask for your help to continue to provide our services to the residents of eastern Knox County.”
Rawson said the needs of the area have increased over the years and that the vision of The Sanctuary has grown.
“The new facilities are needed in order to continue and expand the services in our community,” he explained.
Barb Mickley, The Sanctuary’s director of programs, explained some of the programs offered under the umbrella of The Sanctuary.
“Our first project will be to upgrade the house on Market Street, which people call the yellow house,” she said. “When we get done rehabilitating the house it will become handicap accessible. I would also like to tell you about some of the services currently going on to give you an idea of how broad our mission is.
“The (Knox County) health department is here twice a month for WIC, which is a women’s, infant’s and children’s nutrition program. They also coordinate the immunization program each winter with St. Luke Community Center and The Sanctuary. We also cooperate with the health department in developing the Safety Town program. We also cooperate with the health department in holding the Amish Safety Day program. We also have family medical services twice a month. This is a new service.”
The project will begin with the renovation of the yellow house to make it handicap accessible, as noted and bring the medical services areas up to state code. The changes will allow The Sanctuary to provide services to more people for extended hours.
