ECHO Housing & House of Bread and Peace Consolidating

 It is with great excitement that the leadership teams of ECHO Housing & Community Development and the House of Bread and Peace (The House) announce that the two nonprofit organizations will be consolidating to strengthen the work of The House and to ensure its continued operations for generations to come. 

Both ECHO Housing and the House of Bread and Peace share the mission of serving the most vulnerable individuals and families in the Evansville community. 

Therefore, the House of Bread and Peace entered an Interim Management Agreement with ECHO Housing, effective January 8, 2024. During this Interim Agreement, both parties will take the appropriate steps to combine the agencies under the umbrella of ECHO Housing. The purpose of this agreement is to allow The House to continue operating as it has been, in the spirit of Sister Joanna Trainer’s legacy, while being supported by ECHO Housing’s leadership and infrastructure. 

ECHO Housing’s Social Services Director, Sarah Wolf, previously served as the Executive Director of the House of Bread and Peace for 18 years. Sarah reflects on her time at The House and how her work there shaped her career: “I first met Sister Joanna at the House of Bread and Peace as a young Social Work intern in 1994. Not only am I grateful for the opportunity to call Sister my friend for many years, what I learned about uncondition 

caring for those in need has been woven into the framework of my entire career. It is truly a blessing to have a role once again in Sister’s mission by overseeing the services the residents receive while staying at the House.” 

House of Bread and Peace Board President, Lawanda Kirsch states, “The Board of Directors appreciates the importance of The House in our community. The intent of our decision is to avoid a negative impact on those we serve in Evansville. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of our shared mission to end homelessness within the community. The union of the House of Bread and Peace to ECHO Housing combines our strengths resources, and expertise to maximize the impact of service to women and children. This merger is a testament to Sister Joanna’s legacy and her vision of service to those in need. We look forward to embarking on this new chapter, creating a stronger, more impactful program in service to the community.” 

ECHO Housing’s CEO, Savannah Wood, comments, “We are honored that the House of Bread and Peace is entrusting this critical service to our agency. This occasion signifies a pivotal step forward in our commitment to serving our community and advancing our mission. By providing services through the entire housing continuum – from emergency shelter to permanent housing placement – ECHO Housing will be able to deliver more comprehensive and effective services to our community, allowing us to foster innovation and creativity in our approach to tackling the challenges of homelessness. Our agency will continue to work closely with the House of Bread and Peace Board of Directors to ensure the administrative transition takes place without any hindrance or changes to The House’s role in the community.” 

The House’s deep-rooted legacy of providing emergency shelter to women and children who are experiencing homelessness will remain unchanged in its current location, 250 E. Chandler, and will maintain staffing 24/7. Any women and children seeking emergency shelter placement can contact 812-423-8422 or email info@echohousing.org. 

The House of Bread and Peace is a designated non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to provide for the basic needs of homeless women and children while assisting the women in becoming independent and self-sufficient. We help them build a strong foundation for a more successful life by identifying and addressing their individual needs and goals. Since it’s opening in 1985, House of Bread and Peace and the legacy of Sister Joanna Trainer have been providing a warm bed, hot food, and the opportunity for a new life to women and children in the Evansville area. 

ECHO Housing Corporation is a designated non-profit 501(c)(3) Community Development Corporation (CDC) with a mission to improve lives by reducing barriers to housing, social wellbeing, and economic opportunity. Since its founding, ECHO Housing and Community Development has been a leading provider of homeless services, including permanent supportive housing, for individuals experiencing homelessness in the community. ECHO has continued to grow, now encompassing seven homeless service programs, all dedicated to serving those experiencing homelessness or housing instability. In 2024, ECHO will add an 8th homeless service program – the Promise Home, a permanent supportive housing program dedicated to serving the chronically homeless in Region 12. 

Additional Media Contacts: 

Kim Armstrong 

ECHO Housing Marketing and Communications Manager 

Kim.armstrong