Indiana has countless kids who are abused, neglected or living in extreme poverty. Bob Schloss said the Lord laid on his heart to create a home for kids who have had a rough time in life. He calls his sanctuary New Song Mission.
The Recorder spoke with Schloss, founder and executive director of the mission, and discussed what New Song Mission is all about and its goals to help kids thrive.
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: What is New Song Mission all about?
Schloss: The goal of New Song is to rebuild children’s lives through the love of Christ Jesus so they’ll be equipped to live a Godly, productive life. We are an alternative to the foster care system for Indiana kids. Children’s parents or grandparents who are in crisis or are struggling can directly place children in our care. Those kids can stay with us and grow up on our campus or transition back to their home. We accept kids from ages 5 to 15, and they can stay until age 18. We haven’t gotten there yet, but when kids get to 18, we want to help them go to college or some sort of post-secondary education.
Why were you compelled to found New Song Mission?
Having graduated from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, I went on to serve as deputy prosecuting attorney in northern Indiana. I was a part of our county’s child protection team that at times reviewed cases of abuse and neglect. At the same time, my wife Lisa, who is the co-founder of New Song, is a licensed clinical social worker. She was working in the public school system learning about kids who’ve been abused or living in chaotic environments. We began fostering kids, and through a process, the Lord put it on our hearts to create a children’s home unlike any other in our state.
Talk more about God’s calling to begin this mission.
When I came to know Christ as my personal Lord and savior after my first year of law school, my vision for my life changed from one of seeking to have success materially to hopefully having a much more caring disposition toward others. Having grown up fatherless and learning about our heavenly father, who’s a father to the fatherless, it was clear the Lord had directed both my and my wife’s hearts toward pursuing this vision. It was by His grace He replaced the fear of building something so comprehensive and so significant with faith. The level of dependency on the Lord and our understanding of the greatness of God is much more than where we started. We’ve seen His faithfulness and have come to understand His heart for the fatherless. We became incorporated in 2003, broke ground on the campus in 2008 and completed our first home of three homes in the last three years. Our goal was to always start off with three homes at once. These three homes can accommodate more than 20 kids.
Talk about your programs.
We offer on-ground education and have a low student-to-teacher ratio — eight students to one teacher. We also are planning to incorporate music and the arts into the curriculum. With Brown County being an arts community, (it) has a lot of folks gifted in those areas. Then we have opportunities to go off campus to do things like equine therapy programs, 4-H programs and sports. The counseling we provide is primarily given through the house parents we train. We bring in independent counselors for the kids when needed.
New Song Mission is located in Brown County, Indiana. Why not Indianapolis or another heavily populated area?
Having gone to school at IU in Bloomington and taken trips to Brown County in my college days, I knew how attractive the terrain was. With its hills, creeks and ponds, I thought, ‘what a great place for children.’ You have natural recreation opportunities as a result of the terrain. Aesthetically, it’s just so beautiful. It’s peaceful and tranquil. I think the environment in itself is healing.
How do you acquire funding?
We are completely funded through the generosity of donors. We don’t receive any government funding or court placements. So our kids are free to stay as long as they need.
What does New Song Mission do for kids who have a troubled life?
I think kids who come from struggling backgrounds more readily accept kids from similar situations. They can be there for each other, and I think the setting itself where you have missionary house parents who love the kids and excel with empathy and who are trained to work with the kids we care for, the Christian foundation for our ministry, all that works for the good of the kids and the Lord is working.
What’s next for New Song Mission?
We are looking for more house parents and kids who need a good place to live. We want to build relationships with referral sources. We’re also trying to get the word out all over the State of Indiana that New Song Mission is ready to serve.
Is there anything else you want Recorder readers to know?
We’re so thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness and provision. We trust God gives us more kids and that they live successful, God-honoring lives.
For more information, call New Song Mission at (812) 372-1004 or visit NewSongMission.org.
