Josiah White's

05/08/2026

“When I was a child, I had a very rocky childhood. Several people came along and helped me beat the odds"

For foster parent Tiffany McKnatt, those early experiences shape the way she shows up for the children in her home today.

Since 2012, Tiffany has welcomed youth into her home and helped them see themselves for who they are, beyond their challenges.

Her story reminds us why second chances matter. Young people in foster care need adults who believe in them, speak hope into them, and give them the space they need to heal and try again.

We are grateful for Tiffany — and for every foster parent who helps the youth in their care rewrite the next chapter of their life, one second chance at a time.

Interested in becoming a foster parent? Reach out to us with any questions at josiahwhites.org/foster-a-child

05/06/2026

May is , and we’re taking time to highlight one of our most valuable resources: our people.💙

In roles that pour so much into others, caring for your own mental health isn’t just important, it’s essential. That’s why we’re creating space for real conversations about what it looks like to recharge, reset, and show up at your best.

Listen as our Director of Executive Operations, Shari Smith, shares why taking care of her mental health matters, how it impacts the way she shows up each day, and how it helps her continue to lead with strength and compassion.

05/06/2026

Hallelujah is more than a trend. In foster care, it’s how you learn to see every hard and holy moment. 💙

05/04/2026

Our hearts are so full! 💙 The Hooked on Hope Co****le Tournament was an incredible success, and we couldn't be more grateful.

A huge thank you to Bailey Winget, Rachel Manes, Carli Henderson, Beau Shenefield, and Trevor McNutt from Leadership Development Grow Wabash County. These amazing individuals poured their time, energy, and creativity into organizing this entire event—and thanks to their hard work, we're able to restock our fishing ponds for the kids and staff on our residential campus to enjoy for years to come. Your dedication to our community doesn't go unnoticed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 🎣

To everyone who donated or sponsored, played, and came out to support us on Wabash First Friday—you showed up in a BIG way.

Congratulations to the champions:
🏆 1st place: Dustin Rutledge & Michael Swope (enjoying those Traeger grills!)
🥈 2nd place: David Menefee & Ryan Hines (rocking their new Josiah White's Co****le boards!)

Thank you to the event sponsors:
Schlemmer's Fire & Outdoor, Schlemmer Brothers Metalworks, Ford Meter Box Foundation, Agro-Chem Inc., Ken Perkins, Wabash Hardware and Rental, Baldwin Electric, Andrew and Brittany Bain, Jennifer Meyer-Ruoff Mortgage, Evive Healthcare, Oswalt Thomas, Tyler Guenin, Cameron Estelle-Federated Insurance, Crossroads Bank

05/04/2026

👋 Meet some new faces on the team!

We’re excited to welcome Shelly Rife, Mike King, James Blair, and Rochelle Dysart to the Josiah White’s family.💙

From campus roles to regional offices, our newest team members are stepping in with excitement, and we’re grateful for the heart and perspective each of them brings as they begin this new chapter.

Join us in giving them a warm welcome in the comments! 👇

👉 Looking for work that truly makes a difference? Explore opportunities at JosiahWhites.org/Careers

05/01/2026

You come for the food… but you stay for them. 💙

Today, on , we’re celebrating the team who faithfully keeps our staff and students nourished day in and day out.

From a calm, quiet lunch line to the full rush in a matter of minutes, they don’t just fill plates; they create a space where people feel seen, cared for, and welcomed.

Nikki, Traci, Teresa, Misty, Tina, Betty, Beth, Mary, Karen, Miranda, Honi (& student intern Maddie*)—your work matters more than you know, and it helps keep our mission moving forward every single day.

We appreciate you today and every day. 💙 And yes… thank you for your participation in this highly accurate reenactment of what lunch can feel like.😉

*name changed to protect confidentiality

05/01/2026

As we recognize Foster Care Awareness Month, we invite you to join us in prayer for every child and family in foster care, that God would bring comfort, stability, and lasting hope.💙

May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize and honor everyone touched by foster care.

That means the children in care, the foster and kinship families who love them, the caseworkers and advocates who show up every day, and anyone whose life has intersected with the foster care space in any way: this month is for you.

There are so many ways to be part of this community:

🏡 Become a foster parent — if you've ever considered it, this is a great time to learn more and take the first step.

🤝 Support a foster family near you — a meal, an offer to help, or just checking in can mean more than you know.

🙏 Pray — for the kids in care, the families loving them, the biological families navigating hard circumstances, the workers serving them all, and for more people to answer the call.

📣 Spread the word — share this post and help others understand the need in Indiana.

💙

04/30/2026

💙💚April was a full month from start to finish on campus for our staff and students! Before the month comes to an end, we wanted to share a few moments you may not have seen yet.

Easter celebrations were in full swing within the cottages. Some of our students received Easter baskets from their Family Teachers, while another group took part in a “Sugar Showdown” bracket challenge to determine the ultimate favorite flavor… spoiler alert: citrus Peeps came out on top!

March Madness also wrapped up with three of our staff members winning prizes for having the top picks (congrats Nick, Jenna, and Sara!). Students in one of our cottages joined in the fun with a bracket-style challenge of their own, with winners earning trophies and medals.

Moments like these are a reminder of how important it is to create space for our students to just be teens; having fun, building connections, and making memories along the way.

It’s been quite a month, and as we look back with gratitude, we’re just as excited for the moments still to come. May, we’re ready for you and can’t wait to see how God keeps moving! 🙏

04/29/2026

💙🌱Today we had the privilege of welcoming our friend and supporter, Chuck Wray, to campus as we dedicated the new girls’ recreation area made possible through his generous support.

This space will include garden beds for our female students to grow their own vegetables, a multi-use basketball court (that can also be used for pickleball and other games), and a swingset to create a place for both recreation and connection.

While the benches serve as a small token of gratitude and a way to dedicate this space in honor of Chuck’s gift, the heart of his support is in the opportunities this area will provide for our students to learn, play, and grow. When designing the benches, Chuck shared two scriptures, Proverbs 3:5–6 and Ephesians 2:8–9, and we feel these verses offer a lasting encouragement for all who spend time in this space.

It may not look like much right now, but we believe it will become something truly meaningful and life-giving as it’s used, cared for, and shaped by our students over time.

We are deeply grateful for Chuck’s humble heart and his desire to point all credit back to God. We look forward to all that will continue to grow here; both in this new outdoor space and in the lives of our students, thanks to faithful supporters like him.

04/28/2026

💙"They're kids that deserve to learn what being put first and being a kid is." - Raenah Haynes, Josiah White's Family Teacher

In our field of work, there can sometimes be a perception that the students we serve are “bad kids.” In reality, many are carrying experiences that others may not see or fully understand.

Life can be hard, and healing isn’t always straightforward. Our students are navigating real challenges, and who they are is so much more than what they’ve been through.

We’re grateful for the consistency and care team members like Raenah bring, creating space for students to be seen, supported, and reminded of their worth.

04/27/2026

Last week, we had the privilege of welcoming Hoosiers for Good Government (HGG) Leadership to our Wabash campus.

The group arrived on Trolley No. 85 and spent the morning touring campus with our CEO, Matthew Purkey, getting a firsthand look at how our mission comes to life each day—and how that work is strengthening communities across Indiana.

After the tour, we gathered in the Hodson building to enjoy lunch from 50 East Garden Center & Café and hear from a panel of local leaders:

• Alex Downard, Community Foundation of Wabash County
• Matthew Purkey, Josiah White’s
• Tod Minnich, Honeywell Arts & Entertainment

Together, they shared insight on leading with purpose, investing in people, and creating meaningful impact within their organizations and communities.

We’re grateful to HGG Leadership for spending part of their day with us, and to Alex Downard for helping create such a meaningful experience here in Wabash County.💚