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A Safe Step Forward for Women in Transition
Meena’s Place is a collaborative project between ECHO Housing & Community Development and the JD Sheth Foundation, created to provide transitional housing for women exiting the House of Bread and Peace Emergency Shelter. Designed for women who are not yet fully stabilized to move into permanent housing, Meena’s Place offers a safe, structured environment to continue their journey toward independence and stability.
The property is currently located across the street from the House of Bread and Peace. Access to the House of Bread and Peace as part of the transition is an additional resource provided to the residents of Meena’s Place.
Who Meena’s Place Serves
Meena’s Place serves single adult women who have completed their emergency shelter stay but continue to face barriers to permanent housing—such as health concerns, lack of sustainable income, trauma recovery, or limited support systems. The program offers a dignified alternative to returning to homelessness or unsafe environments.
What Meena’s Place Offers
- Safe, fully furnished transitional housing in a supportive, shared-living setting
- Stay for up to 24 months
- A trauma-informed approach that promotes healing, self-sufficiency, and long-term success
- A calm, structured space where women can focus on rebuilding stability and confidence
Why Meena’s Place Matters
Too often, women leaving emergency shelters fall through the cracks due to a lack of stable, short-term options. Meena’s Place is designed to bridge that critical gap, offering a safe environment where women can rebuild trust, strengthen life skills, and prepare for long-term success. This project reflects a shared commitment by ECHO and the JD Sheth Foundation to empower women, prevent homelessness, and invest in brighter futures.
Goal: $250,000
Funding will help offset costs associated with the rehabilitation and remodel of an existing ECHO single family home. With the aged infrastructure, funding will go to rehabilitating the foundation and remodeling the existing floorplan to accommodate shared living space for up to four women.
A Powerful Partnership: JD Sheth Foundation & ECHO Housing & Community Development
The partnership between the JD Sheth Foundation and ECHO Housing & Community Development began in 2016. It started with a shared vision: to create lasting pathways out of homelessness and poverty for Evansville’s most vulnerable people.
What began as a simple collaboration quickly evolved. Over time, it became a strong alliance built on mutual respect, generosity, and a shared mission to uplift the entire community.
Since then, the JD Sheth Foundation has played a key role in supporting ECHO’s veteran housing programs. Their early funding helped renovate the Gresham House. This included installing egress windows for safety and building an outdoor storage shed to improve residents’ daily lives.
They didn’t stop there.
The Foundation also supported Lucas Place II, where they helped fund a state-of-the-art technology center and a welcoming pocket park. These spaces now support connection, learning, and growth among residents.
Later, when ECHO launched the Promise Home project, JD Sheth stepped in again. Their funding was essential in completing this vital housing initiative.
But the partnership goes both ways.
ECHO has also stood firmly beside the JD Sheth Foundation. They donated land for the Home of the Brave project, which honors and supports veterans in need. In addition, ECHO regularly participates in JD Sheth events, promoting their mission and projects that transform lives.
A shared passion drives both organizations—especially for women’s empowerment.
At the center of this is Meena’s Place, a transitional housing project for women. It’s a bold, women-led vision created by two women CEOs who understand the unique barriers women face. Together, they are building a safe and empowering place where women can heal, grow, and reclaim stability.
Meena’s Place is more than shelter. It’s a symbol of hope, strength, and the power of women supporting women.
In the end, this partnership proves a simple truth: we are stronger together. Through shared values, trust, and action, the JD Sheth Foundation and ECHO Housing & Community Development are breaking the cycle of homelessness. They are lifting up veterans, women, and families—and creating a brighter, more connected future for all.
