Our Story
Wabash Center comes from humble beginnings. The origin of the organization can be traced to a core group of families with children who had special needs. Discouraged by the lack of resources and options available to them and others like them they placed an ad in the Journal and Courier in 1952 seeking other families dealing with the same challenges. It was an attempt to find strength in numbers and to create services where none existed before. Today, Wabash Center has grown into a comprehensive service provider for those with disabilities or special needs that is leading the way to supporting individuals in their pursuit of quality of life for them and their families.
Our leadership boils down to three foundational pillars:
We have an established history of providing quality care for those with a disability or special needs. We love what we do. We’ve been doing this for a long time and we’re not going to stop any time soon.
We offer dozens of programs and services. These services span numerous age groups and are designed to meet the needs of those we serve wherever they are in life.
Our progressive approach leads to us continually pursuing new methods to better serve individuals. Programs and services may change, but their purpose and the level of care will always remain constant.
Leadership
Jason McManus
Chief Executive Officer
Jill Blumhoff
Chief Financial Officer
Colleen Rhoades
Chief Program Officer
JEN MORELAND
Chief Strategy Officer and Chief of Staff
Stacia Bernard
Director of Day Service and Family Supports
Erin Hallett
Director of Development
Ann Martin
Associate Director of Employment Services
Courtney Janssen
Director of Training and Professional Development
Phillipe Sallade
Director of ABA Services
MISSION
To optimize the quality of life for people with disabilities or special needs
Whatever the age, whatever the circumstance, Wabash Center strives to meet the needs of those we serve and help them navigate their own unique paths – we consider this our greatest privilege. We aid individuals so that they can reach their ultimate potential. Whether it’s a child in need of additional summer education opportunities or an adult seeking independent living, Wabash Center will work with individuals and their caregivers to provide the optimal solution.
Board of Directors
Melissa Strong (Chair)
Wabash National
Brent Mithoefer
1st Source Bank
Jeanne Boyd
JMB Consulting Services
Nate McPherson
Caterpillar
Theresa Bowers
Stuart and Branigin
Brittany Jones
Girardot Strauch and Co. CPAs
Dr. Troy Janes (Treasurer)
Purdue University, Krannert School of Management
Jay House
Entrepreneur
Jim Freeland (Vice Chair)
Purdue University
Joe Seaman
Dr. John Gipson (Chief of Staff to the Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Operations)
Purdue University