Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Broke Ground on New Homeownership Training Center and Main Office

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Broke Ground on New Homeownership Training Center and Main Office

by | Oct 18, 2024 | ANCON News

Pictured left to right: Andy Place Sr., Place Builders President; Matt Krause, Ancon Construction Superintendent; Matthew VanSoest, Ancon Construction Lead Project Designer; Jim Williams, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity; Doug VonGunten, Ancon Construction President; Mayor Dave Wood, City of Mishawaka; Jeff Rea, South Bend Area Chamber of Commerce President; Tim Schrock, Ancon Construction Project Manager.

 

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Broke Ground on New Homeownership Training Center and Main Office

Ancon Construction is proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County on its new Homeownership Training Center and Main Office, located at 524 E. McKinley Ave, Mishawaka. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday, October 17.

The project involves an 11,500-square-foot adaptive reuse of a former medical office building, featuring a complete interior overhaul and a transformative exterior renovation. The redesign aims to restore the building’s original 1961 architectural features while modernizing its exterior with new entrance canopies. Inside, the two-story facility will include offices, open workspaces, conference rooms, lounge areas, a board room, an outdoor patio space, and a 60-person training room.

“Ensuring all interior work and communal spaces have access to natural daylight is achieved through the building’s ribbon window features on both the north and south facades,” explained lead project designer Matthew VanSoest. Habitat for Humanity’s national branding and color palette will be incorporated into the interior, alongside unique wood screen walls and feature walls that symbolize the non-profit’s work in building homes.

Doug VonGunten, President of Ancon Construction, which is leading the renovation, expressed the company’s appreciation for the opportunity to partner with Habitat for Humanity: “On behalf of all the Employee Owners at Ancon Construction, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with Habitat of Humanity of St. Joseph County to design and renovate their new corporate office. Habitat’s mission closely aligns with our core values here at Ancon, and it has been a true privilege to be entrusted with this project. We look forward to transforming this building so that Habitat can continue to transform St. Joseph County.”

The new Training Center is expected to serve 750 to 1,000 community members annually, offering educational programs on budgeting, credit improvement, fire and home safety, estate planning, and home maintenance. “This 75-person Training Center reflects our commitment to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for successful homeownership,” said Jim Williams, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County. “With the generous support of donors like Key Bank and the Judd Leighton Foundation, this debt-free facility will allow us to focus on building more attainable workforce housing.”

The building is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2025 and is strategically located adjacent to the new fire station, making it a prominent addition to the ongoing improvements along the McKinley Corridor, which will include the widening of McKinley Avenue.

For more information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

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About Ancon Construction: 
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s construction and architectural landscape since 1975.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

The Ground Has Been Broken on Ryan’s Place “Home for Healing Hearts” Project.

The Ground Has Been Broken on Ryan’s Place “Home for Healing Hearts” Project.

by | Oct 16, 2024 | ANCON News

Pictured Left to Right: Lindsey Diener-Locke, Ryan’s Place Program Director; Mathew VanSoest, Ancon Construction Lead Project Designer; Doug VonGunten, Ancon Construction President; Eunice Munn; Rex and Nancy Gleim; Aileac Deegan, Ryan’s Place President and CEO; Bill Purcell, President of Crossroads United Way; State Rep. Joanna King, Glen Kauffmann, Ancon Construction Project Manager.

The Ground Has Been Broken on Ryan’s Place “Home for Healing Hearts” Project.

Ancon Construction is proud to announce the groundbreaking of Ryan’s Place “Home for Healing Hearts” project. This 18,000-square-foot facility on Regent Street in Goshen will serve as the new home for Ryan’s Place, a vital organization dedicated to supporting grieving families. The building will provide a safe, nurturing space for children, teens, and families, offering grief support programs in a purpose-built environment.

“On behalf of the Ancon Employee-owners, I am both proud and grateful to partner with Ryan’s Place in designing and constructing their new building, “Home for Healing Hearts,” shares the President of Ancon Construction, Doug VonGunten. Breaking ground on this project marks a significant milestone for Ryan’s Place to have their own building to continue their mission of supporting grieving children and their families.”

Aileać Deegan, President and CEO of Ryan’s Place, expressed her excitement about the project: “This is a promise to the community—a dedicated space for grieving families to heal and ensure we can continue offering our vital services for years to come. Every child, teen, and family who walks through our doors feels seen, supported, and empowered in their grief journey.”

Key features of the “Home for Healing Hearts” include specialized rooms for art, high-energy activities, music therapy, and theater, all designed to meet the diverse needs of grieving families. The building will maximize natural light and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels more like a home than an office, fostering a sense of community and connection.

“Throughout the design process and through case study research of other successful centers around the country, we acknowledged that the built environment has a direct relationship to the variety of ways people grieve. Sensory design, lighting, material use, and color are all direct variables we had to consider,” stated Ancon Construction’s lead project designer Matthew VanSoest.

“The ‘Home for Healing Hearts’ will be a lasting symbol of our commitment to the community,” said Deegan. “It allows us to reach even more grieving children and families, ensuring no one has to navigate their grief journey alone.”

For more information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

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About Ryan’s Place: Ryan’s Place was founded in 2002 to fill the gap in grief support for children, teens, and families after the loss of a loved one. Named in honor of Ryan Gleim, who died in 1992, the center was inspired by the need identified by Ryan’s family and local therapists. Today, Ryan’s Place offers a safe and supportive environment for over 1,000 individuals each year through various grief support programs.

About Ancon Construction: 
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s construction and architectural landscape since 1975.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Our People, Their Stories: Meet Our Employee Owners

Our People, Their Stories: Meet Our Employee Owners

by | Sep 28, 2024 | ANCON News

OUR PEOPLE, THEIR STORIES: MEET OUR EMPLOYEE OWNERS

Click on each picture or name below to read the story of the Ancon Construction Employee Owner.

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Our People, Their Story: Meet Dave, a Concrete Finisher at Ancon Construction

Our People, Their Story: Meet Dave, a Concrete Finisher at Ancon Construction

by | Sep 11, 2024 | ANCON News

 

Our People, Their Story: Meet Dave, a Concrete Finisher at Ancon Construction

 

Meet Dave, a dedicated Concrete Finisher who has been with Ancon Construction for over 30 years. With vast experience, he holds certifications in Green Construction, OSHA 10-Hour Training, and a CDL license. Dave is an invaluable member of our concrete crew.

Don Carrico, Director of Safety and Operations, shares, “Dave is an integral part of our concrete crew and company. His experience is irreplaceable. He is always willing to help and goes above and beyond.”

Outside of work, Dave enjoys spending time with his family, which includes 2 children and 6 grandchildren. Every year, he looks forward to vacationing in Pensacola, Florida. A true handyman, Dave loves working on anything mechanical. His green thumb is also impressive—he enjoys the challenges of growing banana trees, palm trees, and pineapple plants in a climate you don’t normally try growing tropical plants in!

Dave’s dedication to his craft makes him a valued employee-owner of the Ancon family.

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

From Laborer to Project Leader: Mitch’s Journey at Ancon Construction

From Laborer to Project Leader: Mitch’s Journey at Ancon Construction

by | Aug 13, 2024 | ANCON News

 

From Laborer to Project Leader: Mitch’s Journey at Ancon Construction

 

Mitch embarked on his journey with Ancon Construction at the young age of 18, starting as a laborer. For the first couple of years, Mitch honed his carpentry skills before transitioning to the steel crew, where he spent four years helping to build steel buildings. His versatility and dedication eventually led him to the service side of Ancon called Ancon Building Services (ABS), where he has been for the past nine years. He enjoys the variety that comes with working for ABS, where each day brings new challenges and opportunities.

Interestingly, construction wasn’t Mitch’s initial career choice. During his junior year of high school, he enrolled in Career Training education with plans to pursue automotive work. However, when the automotive program was full, Mitch was placed in Building Trades. This unexpected turn of events sparked his interest in construction, and he found himself enjoying the field so much that he joined Ancon shortly after graduating high school.

“The knowledge and patience Mitch has with steel buildings enhanced his career at Ancon as he has become the “go to” for miscellaneous steel building and roof repairs.” shared Drew Buss, the director of Ancon’s Building Services division. 

Mitch speaks highly of Ancon, describing it as a fun and rewarding place to work. He appreciates the camaraderie and the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals. “There are a lot of good people here who will teach you if you don’t know a lot about construction,” Mitch shares.

One of Mitch’s most memorable projects was the first Universal Bearings building in Bremen, Indiana. On his first day, he was tasked with “walking steel,” a thrilling and challenging job that involved walking across steel beams, sometimes 30 feet off the ground, wearing a safety harness. “It was an adrenaline rush and something I really enjoyed doing over the next three years,” he recalls. “It’s something I honestly really miss doing.”

Mitch’s sense of ownership and pride in his work has kept him motivated and engaged at Ancon for nearly 17 years. As an employee-owner, he takes great pride in contributing to the company’s success. “It’s more than just a paycheck. It’s knowing that I’m helping this company succeed and being an employee-owner is really rewarding.”

Mitch’s proudest accomplishment at Ancon is the recent completion of the Sacred Heart Parish Center project. This was the first major project he managed entirely, overseeing all subcontractors and Ancon team members. “It was definitely something that I really enjoyed, and I look forward to doing more jobs like that in the future,” he says.

When asked for advice for newcomers to the company, Mitch emphasizes the importance of learning from others, working hard, and maintaining a positive attitude. He also highlights the critical role of communication in his job. “Being able to properly communicate with customers and mesh well with other employees to work as a team is vital,” he notes.

Mitch attributes his success to living life to the fullest and always being honest. He considers himself easy to get along with, a quality that has served him well in the construction industry. “These values have helped me through my journey at Ancon,” he concludes.

Mitch Kelley’s story is a testament to the opportunities and growth that Ancon Construction offers its employees. His journey from a young laborer to leading projects with Ancon Building Services (ABS) showcases the rewarding career path that dedication, hard work, and a positive attitude can forge in the construction industry.

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.