Dubois County Veterans Group Seeks $100,000 for Two-Year Recovery Pilot

Operation Mind, Body, and Soul asked Dubois County officials for $60,000 in year one and $40,000 in year two to fund a two-year pilot program aimed at strengthening mental health and opioid recovery support for veterans, law enforcement, and first responders. The group says the targeted population faces increased risk of misuse, trauma, exposure, and suicide and that the pilot will provide behavioral health services, peer support, recovery and trauma support, and informed wellness intervention.

The request was submitted to the county on January 27 and will be considered alongside other applicants; a decision is expected in early February. Dubois County’s opioid settlement restricted fund had slightly more than $94,000 unexpended for 2026, meaning the application would use most of the current available balance if approved.

Operation Mind, Body, and Soul has converted a 7,000-square-foot warehouse at 611 East 6th Street (by the Riverwalk) into a gym and community space. The organization moved fitness equipment from the River Center location to the new site and plans to retain the River Center as a classroom for instruction and counseling while using the gym for fitness and recovery programming. A boxing ring will be installed at the 6th Street site with a grant from Jasper Engines; organizers described the ring as a symbolic and practical centerpiece to "ring in recovery" through structured exercise and peer gatherings.

County building officials inspected the facility and found it up to code. A donated handicapped ramp is already in place, but Operation Mind, Body, and Soul noted that additional Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades would be needed if program traffic increases. The organization is coordinating with Evansville Vet Center, VA outreach, and other veterans’ groups and is pursuing additional grants to expand services and cover operational costs beyond the two-year pilot.

For Dubois County residents, the proposal means potentially closer, tailored support for people who often travel outside the county for specialized care. Veterans and first responders would gain local access to peer support and trauma-informed wellness interventions that combine physical exercise, behavioral health services, and community connection. For taxpayers and county officials, the request also raises questions about long-term sustainability, facility accessibility, and how the county prioritizes limited settlement dollars among competing projects.

County officials will weigh the Operation Mind, Body, and Soul proposal with other funding requests in the coming weeks. If the allocation is approved, organizers plan to begin rolling out programming at the 611 East 6th Street site while continuing to use River Center classroom space; residents should expect to see updates on programming schedules and potential ADA improvements after the funding decision in early February.