Beyond Homeless, Inc.
Putnam County's Homeless
Shelter and Resource Center
Beyond Homeless, Inc.
At Beyond Homeless Inc., Putnam County's Homeless Shelter and Resource Center, we believe that safe, decent, affordable housing, adequate food, education, and quality social services are fundamental rights.
Incorporated in 2012 following community conversations regarding how to respond to homelessness and homeless prevention in Putnam County, Indiana, the Beyond Homeless Shelter opened in 2014.
Over the past few years, Beyond Homeless has worked to educate the community about the causes and repercussions of homelessness on the overall community. Research tells us that homelessness is not just a social problem that disproportionately affects young children, but an economic development issue as well. That's why, for us, it's not enough to provide stop-gap measures, but to prepare our clients for life and work outside of our shelter and support system at the same time, we know that people's lives must be stabilized before self-sufficiency can be realized.
Who We Serve
Individuals and families experiencing, or at risk of homelessness in Putnam, Clay, Hendricks, Montgomery, Owen, and Parke counties.
Residential Program
For women and women with children under the age of 18
Homeless Prevention
Services
Resources, education, and assistance
EVENTS
Variety of events hosted throughout the year to raise awareness and funds to
support programs and services
Testimonials
Meet Chasity:
Before finding stability, I came to BHI three different times—first in 2017, again in 2020 during the uncertainty of the pandemic, and finally in January 2022 with my four young children. For nearly eleven months, Beyond Homeless was our home. Then, on November 23, 2022, we experienced something I had fought so hard for: we moved into a place of our own.
During our stay, I volunteered in the thrift store and began the difficult but life-changing process of rebuilding my confidence and believing in myself again. What started as a season of healing led to something I never imagined. In October 2024, I returned to Beyond Homeless—not as a participant, but as an employee.
Today, 2 years later, I am still part of the Beyond Homeless family. In January of 2026, I was promoted into a Peer Support Specialist role. I now get to provide the participants in the shelter program with the support needed to strengthen their sobriety and mental health. The people here have become more than coworkers to me and more than staff to my children—they have become family.
BHI gave us far more than a safe place to sleep. They gave us hope when we had little left, encouragement when we needed it most, and opportunities that changed the trajectory of our lives. Because of BHI, my children and I found not just housing, but a future.
For that, I will be forever grateful.
Meet Brandi:
While attempting to leave a bad relationship, Brandi arrived at Beyond Homeless in early 2021. She developed her plans to get back on her feet and was progressing when she slipped in her recovery and entered an intensive rehab program that treated the source of her addiction, providing her with the tools and techniques she needed to be successful in all areas of her life, not just recovery. Six months later, she came back to Beyond Homeless. After working as a resident volunteer, she was brought onto the Beyond Homeless Team as a Shift Monitor in November of 2021, obtained housing, and is now making plans to spend time with her son, and advance her career by working with individuals who suffer with substance abuse and addiction.
Meet Dustyn:
In late October 2021, Beyond Homeless was contacted by the Director of Education at South Putnam High School about a young man who had aged out of foster care, has special needs and was couch surfing with friends, but determined to finish his last year of high school. Initially refusing assistance from Beyond Homeless, Dustyn was persuaded by his teachers and assistant principal at South Putnam High School to go to the newly opened Beyond Homeless Men’s Shelter where he wouldn’t have to worry about suddenly being homeless on the streets, and could focus on graduating with his classmates. Over the remaining school year, Dustyn worked diligently to overcome the challenges of e-learning days caused by COVID and a snowstorm; receiving support and encouragement from the Beyond Homeless team that allowed him to focus on graduating with his friends at school. In April 2022 he received notification that his hard work was paying off. He was accepted to Ivy Tech in the fall. In May 2022, Dustyn graduated with the rest of the South Putnam High School Class of 2022. He plans to study Criminal Justice and Cyber Security at Ivy Tech.
IMPACT
NUMBERS
Since opening
in 2014
women and children received shelter services equivalent to
45,843 bed nights or
125.60 “years” of service
1501
men received assistance
288
neighbors received assistance with rent, utilities, and food
610
Since 2014 Beyond Homeless has provided more than $165,466.50 in rent, mortgage, utility, food, and clothing assistance.
