About 25 teens gathered to sing at The Landing Place Luau on Thursday at St. Michael’s Catholic School. Some teens also shared their personal stories of how The Landing has impacted their lives on the road to recovery.
Shelley Swift | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — Thursday night’s sleet storm couldn’t cool down the warm spirits at the luau hosted by The Landing inside St. Michael’s Catholic School.
Over 250 people attended the fundraiser, which is The Landing’s biggest event of the year.
It was the first one since 2019 because the luau was canceled the past two years due to COVID.
“We needed this fundraiser, which is why we went ahead and held it in February rather than wait until September like we always have,” said The Landing’s director, Linda Ostewig.
Ostewig was thrilled to see so many gather to celebrate the nonprofit’s mission to support young people and adults in recovery, or those simply facing tough times.
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch served as the keynote speaker and shared her appreciation for organizations like The Landing, which serve those who need a helping hand during some of life’s darkest hours.
Crouch’s speech was raw and personal, sharing a glimpse into the many hardships the state’s second-highest ranking politician has endured in her own life, including losing a younger sister to suicide when Crouch was 23.
Crouch shared that she’s also had close family members face depression, addiction and bipolar disorder.
She said she hoped that by sharing her personal story, she can help fight the stigma of addiction and mental health struggles, and move the state toward better supporting those who need it most.
Educators, scout leaders and others across the state have told Crouch that panic, anxiety, depression, suicide ideation and suicide rates are greater than they’ve ever seen.
Both youth and adults are struggling like they never have before, said Crouch, especially after the isolation, stress and other challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic over the past two years.
“As a result of that, we’re now all aware of how fragile our life is, and how we can all be affected,” she said.
Crouch said she was moved to share her own family’s personal struggles to help normalize addiction and mental health struggles, in an effort to shine a light on what she considers to be an epidemic in the state.
“None of us are perfect…Until we start dealing with the stigma, we’re not going to be able to help those Hoosiers” who need help, she said.
Couch pointed out that while few people hesitate to see a doctor about a physical ailment, many still hesitate to seek out support for mental health or addiction issues.
She went on to praise The Landing and the nonprofit’s efforts to support those who are struggling in Hancock County.
“It warms my soul to see all the people who are here, supporting the journey that people choose to take. I can’t tell you how proud I am of what you are doing to help young people become healthy adults,” she said.
“It is because of you and your efforts here that I gain hope, I gain encouragement, and I know that we’re going to win this fight.”
Ostewig said the lieutenant governor’s speech was the perfect way to highlight the important work The Landing does and the growth the program has undergone in the past two years, despite a drop in financial support due to COVID.
Despite a drop in funding, the nonprofit was able to grow its weekly support programs and also open The Recovery Cafe, which provides free meals and recovery support to anyone who needs it.
The Landing also recently hired a bus driver to transport students to meetings on Wednesday nights, where they benefit from not just recovery support but socialization.
Ostewig said people sometimes ask her what keeps teenagers coming back to The Landing’s gathering space, The Landing Place, week after week, so she asked the kids.
“They said, ‘It’s because this is our home. This is where we feel loved, and we feel safe,’” she said in her opening remarks Thursday.
Ostewig sang the praises of her board directors, staff members and volunteers, who she called the backbone of the organization.
Thinking of how much the nonprofit has grown over the years is an emotional thing for Ostewig, who founded The Landing on her own in 2013.
About 25 teens took center stage at the luau on Thursday night to sing a few songs for the crowd. A few shared their personal stories of how they’ve benefited from coming to The Landing Place.
Ostewig said it’s a privilege to touch the lives of each person who comes through the door.
“The kids each leave a lingering imprint on our hearts,” she said. “Each has a story God wants us to hear. We love them unconditionally.”
