County commission to donate to Rooted

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to honor a request for a $15,000 contribution.

Representatives from Rooted of St. Joseph County appeared at last week’s executive committee and again at this week’s board meeting to seek funding toward its goal to build a safe house in the Centreville area.

Rooted Executive Director Tiffany Wagler and Jim Stuck, chairman of Constantine-based Fibre Converters, addressed commissioners, explaining the idea behind the Rooted Safe House is a transition home for children removed from their home by Department of Human Health and Services officials

Rooted assisted 175 children in 2024, providing toiletries and clothing essentials to those who were taken from their home by DHS officials and/or who entered the foster care system.

Wagler said she expects groundbreaking for the Rooted Safe House to take place before the end of March, as the agency anticipates meeting its $500,000 fundraising goal.

Fibre Converters provided a $100,000 donation to the cause.