About Sacred Ground
Our Mission:
Cultivating an environment of belonging and purpose for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
Our Vision:
We are a faith-based, not-for-profit program that strives to provide services to individuals with IDD and their families. We strive to provide support and resources to individuals and families so that each person can experience joy and live life well.
Core Values
Relationships
We believe in the power of connection with God, family, community members, and self to bring about a true sense of belonging. The strongest relationships are mutual and trusting, and start with listening.
Empowerment
We believe God gifts each person uniquely and when those gifts are realized and utilized, the individual can best live with meaning and purpose. Each person's gifts and creativity are celebrated because they are vital to the health of the body.
Justice
We believe God is working to bring about the kingdom of heaven on earth. Our desire is to join God in this work, being mindful of and compassionate toward the needs of each person with IDD and their families. We will be good stewards of the resources we are given to support our work.
Thriving
We believe God cares about people's physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs, and when those needs are honored and attended to, people can experience true well-being. We believe individuals with IDD and their families are the best teachers in helping us understand how to provide relevant services that enhance the capacity for all to thrive.
How did Sacred Ground come to be?
In 2017, Sacred Ground’s founding group formed after realizing a common desire for more faith-based, holistic support and care for individuals and families impacted by disabilities in Holmes County, Ohio. Griffin and Rachel Long, Karen Keim, Annie Slabach, and Kathy Dickson committed to learn from others and tailor services for individuals, families, and the community. After a couple years of learning, visiting providers around the United States, and assessing the needs of the community, we recruited a board of directors and named Griffin as the executive director. We are excited to start offering services to the community in 2021.
Griffin Long
Executive Director
Griffin has been blessed by relationships throughout much of his life with people who have special needs. While he has had the vision for Sacred Ground for over a decade, Griffin can see the need for quality supports for individuals and families first hand as two of his three young children have special needs. Griffin and his wife, Rachel, live in Canton where they both attended Malone University for undergraduate studies. Griffin also has a Master’s Degree from Youngstown State University in Social Work. He has worked as a therapist and the Woodside Rest Clinical Program Administrator at Springhaven Counseling Center since 2014. Prior to Springhaven, Griffin worked in community mental health, specializing in serving individuals who have a dual diagnosis of mental illness and intellectual/developmental disabilities (MI/IDD). He also worked in a residential setting with people who have IDD for Amore Services as a direct support staff person. Griffin is thrilled to continue building relationships with special families in Holmes County as he leads Sacred Ground.
Board of Directors
Rhoda Mast
Interim President
Rhoda’s career has spanned over 35 years in education as teacher, preschool director, Mt Eaton Elementary Principal, and most recently retired as Holmes County Board of DD School Principal. She has served on various community boards and is pleased to join Sacred Ground with a passion to help expand the possibilities for individuals with disabilities. She and her husband, Jon live in Benton.
Matt Troyer
Treasurer
Matt enjoys connecting with people, and helping them to improve their lives. His educational background is in accounting and business, and he has held various financial and management roles throughout his career. In his time outside of work settings, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children as they take on life together - learning, growing, and celebrating victories!
Michelle Mishler
Secretary
Michelle is an educator passionate about helping young adults with special needs succeed. She currently works in the East Holmes School District with students displaying moderate to significant disabilities in junior high and high school. She finds great joy in partnering with her students and their families, and cherishes these special relationships. At home, Michelle and her husband, Jason, have four children, Perryn, Jalen, Jase, and Josey.
Rick Rottman
Rick Rottman was born and raised in Wayne County with familial roots in Holmes County. He worked as a general contractor for 40+ years, ending his career working with his dad, Bill as owner of CCM Corporation. Rick raised four children of his own and spent many years coaching and mentoring children of all ages. He has served on numerous boards over the years including Triway Local School Board, Contractors Associations at the local, state, and national levels and Fryburg Cemetery among others. He has a passion to serve and cares deeply about the community and helping others.
Roger Herschberger
Roger has a daughter with special needs and he recognizes and appreciates the need for a facility like Sacred Ground. He was employed in RV manufacturing for 25 years and is currently employed at Holmes Siding Contractors. Roger and his wife Vi have five children and have a growing number of grandchildren and they reside in Millersburg. Making a positive difference in young people’s lives with special needs is very important to Roger.