The Middle Way House

HISTORY 

  Back in 1970, the Middle Way House was a grassroot organization that ran a crisis line, plus a lifeline for victims of violence. Four years later, Sarah Cochran became the director in which she ended up running a 24/7 walk-in clinic, a drug rescue, and venereal disease clinic. Then in 1977 David Foster took up the role of Executive director, but he only lasted a year before Karen Blicher took over. In the early 1980s they switched their focus to women and children who experienced domestic violence.  

Toby Strout came in 1987, who later helped make The RISE! which is a transitional housing program that helps those who experience domestic violence. Toby and her team also helped lead the annual Wrapped in Love where tree sweaters were made by Bloomington residents that spread awareness of uncomfortable topics in a safe way. In 2005 to 2009, they renovated the old Coca-Cola bottling plant. Toby has since passed away but her legacy of helping others continues. 

This leads us to Debra Morrow in 2015. Debra was once a resident in the Middle Way house before becoming an Executive Director. She made the Mortgage Payoff Campaign that was started to pay off the debt of the mortgage of the New Wings building. Actor Jesse Eisenberg pledged to match donations up to $100,000. It was a huge success and they managed to pay the mortgage off in 2017.  

Now the role is filled by Carrie Stillions who was appointed in 2023 and is still there. The Middle Way House also ran ‘Food Works’, a non profit, that opened in 2002 but later closed in 2015. As of today, it now serves as a place for them to meet. Across the courtyard from the bottling plant are their admin offices and shelter that was once a rental company's garage.