Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Despite a devastating fire and the looming death of a co-founder, a unique animal rescue shelter that also counsels children hopes to continue its mission.
The Isaiah 11 Ministry had held counseling sessions in the same building where animals were housed, but the building was destroyed by fire in May.
The group has struggled to rebuild and now faces more difficult issues after Ron Ozier, 77, who co-founded the organization with his wife, Linda, is in hospice care with an aortic aneurysm, stage 5 kidney disease and dementia, according to Kim?Silveus, a member of the group’s governing board.
Ron and Linda have been running the operation west of Warsaw for almost seven years.
The farm has several cats roaming outside, a fenced area with pigs and goats, and a barn where horses and a miniature donkey are kept.
The donkey is the only animal purchased for the ministry.
Linda said she plans to continue the operation.
“I will do this as long as I can,” Linda said. She said she is relying on her faith and God to get the ministry through its recent hardships.
“I know God has it all figured out,” she said.
Linda founded the organization in order to provide healing to animals and children.
One of the children says Ron had a huge impact on her life.
“I’m going miss his sense of humor ... He is very caring. He loves everyone no matter their past,” said Layla Silveus, 13, who has been volunteering at the ministry since she was 5.
As she got older, Layla began to experience depression and anxiety.?She began to particate in the counseling sessions at the ministry.
She said it helped her get over her depression, and Ron and Linda could always make her feel better.
Kim said she is grateful they put the organization together and have become such a force for good in the community.
Kim Silveus said the counseling helps children who have been abused or neglected.
“Some of them have unique needs that Linda is very good at dealing with,” Kim said.
Anywhere from 5 to 40 youth show up for the group counseling sessions held on Tuesday nights.
Prior to the Ron’s illness the ministry faced another challenge when its counseling building burned down in May.
The fire claimed the lives of 20 animals.
Layla’s therapy animal, a dove, was lost in the fire.
“After the fire, I couldn’t leave my room,” Layla said. “I knew each and every one of those animals.”
Counseling groups now meet outside or in the barn.
They still accepts animals.
The cats they accept are often brought in by people, most of them have been abused or neglected.
All of the cats are available for adoption for $5 and donation to the ministry.
Attempts to raise money to rebuild have not gone well.
The group estimates it would cost about $10,000 to build a new building. They have raised about $2,000 so far.
“Fundraising has been hard,” Kim said. “There’s so many people crowdfunding and trying to fund raise for different things and I think that makes it difficult for little places like this to get the funds they need.”
“We appreciate every thing we’ve got so far,” Kim said.
Layla said she is planning a fundraising event toward the end of the month. The event is in early planning stages and details will be forthcoming.
“The donation can be anything, food, money, whatever you want to give,” Layla said.
Anyone wanting to donate can call 574-549-8071.
