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.