When BCEF set out to help Batesville High School (BHS) build a new wellness/mental health section of the school counseling area to address anxiety and other emotional regulation issues, we never thought it would challenge our own emotions. It’s been a long process from last summer when we first embraced the concept. After a very successful Annual Campaign, we ended up with a total of $125,000 to use toward the project, including $75,000 from donors and an additional $50,000 from a donor via the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

Working closely with BCSC Wellness Coordinator Lisa Tuveson, who secured an additional $105,000 in grants as well (the John A. Hillenbrand Foundation, the William A. and Martha H. Hillenbrand Foundation, the Franklin County Community Foundation and the Ripley County Community Foundation’s Hillenbrand Partner with Possibility Grant), we’ve had to learn to be patient since there are so many steps to making our dream a reality. Numerous meetings with the school administration, the school corporation’s architecture firm, Fanning Howey (who donated the design work on the space), Bruns-Gutzwiller (who will be doing the remodeling), and furnishings vendors The Office Shop and LOTH were needed to square everything away.

We’re pleased to announce that as of the end of April, the furnishings for all of the student spaces, the outdoor patio, and the counselors’ offices have been ordered. Once school is out, the plan is for the remodeling to begin. We are still hopeful that the new space will be open when schools starts in August.

Watch soon for an announcement about our 2025 Annual Campaign project!