Dubois County nonprofit Living For God announces leadership transition

Living For God, a faith-based nonprofit serving Dubois County, announced a leadership change on Jan. 15 that took effect Jan. 1, 2026. Founder Amilcar "Mo" Peraza stepped down as president and will move into an advisory role, while local business owner Alex Zehr assumed day-to-day leadership of the organization.

Leaders framed the transition as planned and intentional, emphasizing continuity of the agency’s core mission to provide clothing, meals and other essentials to community members in need. Zehr, who brings mission-work experience alongside his local business ties, has said he intends to maintain the service-focused work without major changes. Peraza will remain available in an advisory capacity to help preserve institutional memory and relationships built over years of community service.

For residents who rely on Living For God’s programs, the change is likely to feel more like a passing of the torch than a sharp break. Stability at the top matters for small, volunteer-driven operations that deliver basic needs: it affects volunteer coordination, donor confidence and partnerships with county social services and other local agencies. By keeping Peraza involved in an advisory role, the organization is signaling its intent to protect those operational ties and avoid disruptions to service delivery.

The transition also highlights broader challenges and opportunities for faith-based providers that fill gaps in the county’s social safety net. Organizations like Living For God often serve people who face housing instability, food insecurity and limited access to other supports. Leadership shifts can either interrupt or strengthen those lifelines, depending on how transitions are managed, how quickly new leadership is able to mobilize resources, and how well volunteers and funders are engaged.

Zehr’s background as a local business owner may open doors for expanded community partnerships and donor engagement, while Peraza’s continued advisory role aims to preserve the volunteer networks and trust built with clients. For county leaders and service providers, the change underscores the ongoing need to coordinate across public, private and nonprofit sectors to ensure consistent access to essentials.

Residents should expect Living For God’s clothing distributions, meal services and basic assistance to continue as the new leadership settles in. The organization’s planned transition offers a measure of continuity for those who depend on its services and a reminder of the vital role local nonprofits play in the county’s health and social safety net.