from across the justice ecosystem formed a Discovery Team
A More Thriving and Vibrant Allen County
Through Prevention, Justice, Restoration, and System Support
What would it look like if our courts and jail were so empty that the employees were bored? Not because needs were ignored, but because fewer people entered the criminal justice system. That’s the vision of Restore Allen.
55 Individuals
5 Focus Areas
covering Employment, Housing & Homelessness, Mental Health, Substance Use, and Youth
17 Recommendations
across Prevention, Justice, Restoration, and System Support
The Vision
Restore Allen began with a shared commitment: as Allen County considered investments in justice system infrastructure—including a new jail—community members, criminal justice professionals, and service providers came together to ensure we were also investing comprehensively in supporting individuals and families feeling stuck in patterns of system involvement toward stability and success.
The Path Forward
Implementing these recommendations will require the same collaborative commitment that produced them.
Each recommendation includes specific calls to action, concrete steps that can begin immediately while building toward long-term transformation. The Discovery Team has invested five months of intensive work to create this foundation, and its members endorsed these recommendations and want to champion and support their implementation.
The work now extends beyond the Discovery Team to all of Allen County.
We invite county and city leadership, community organizations, funders, businesses, faith communities, neighborhoods, and individual citizens to engage with these recommendations, to read them, discuss them, and identify where your organization or expertise can contribute.
To be successful, these efforts will require significant collaboration, co-execution, and funding, and will present a unique opportunity to create value for Allen County.
Prevention
A proactive, coordinated community where crisis is averted through early intervention.
Justice
Strengthen how the Allen County Criminal Justice System serves justice-involved individuals.
Restoration
Establish practices that support successful community reintegration and stable pathways.
System Support
Establish structures where agencies operate as an ecosystem with shared accountability.
Why This Matters
Mental health needs, substance use, and housing instability strain our criminal justice system. Addressing these challenges is key to building a safer, more thriving Allen County. While prevention and justice budgets face increasing pressure, the cost of inaction is not zero.
Restore Allen outlines a credible, collaborative path forward.
Strategic Advisory Team
Kim Churchward
Allen County Community Corrections
William Curry
The Chaplaincy
Troy Hershberger
Allen County Sheriff
Michael McAlexander
Allen County Prosecutor’s Office
Angie Moellering
Lutheran Social Services
Ron Turpin
Allen County Commissioner
David Zent
Allen Superior Court
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Restore Allen, and why was it launched?
Restore Allen began as Allen County considered investments in justice system infrastructure, including a new jail. It brought together a 55-person Discovery Team to take a broader look at how people move through the justice ecosystem and how we can better support individuals and families toward stability and success.
How does Restore Allen view the role of the new jail?
The new jail is a necessary part of our county’s infrastructure. Our goal is to ensure it is used exactly as intended—by providing earlier, community-based support so that fewer people ever reach the point of needing incarceration.
How does this initiative support public safety?
True safety comes from balancing firm accountability with meaningful support. By actively addressing root causes like mental health and substance use, we can break cycles of re-offending and build a safer, stronger Allen County.
How does this benefit our local police and justice professionals?
By strengthening community resources, we relieve the immense pressure currently placed on our justice system. This allows our dedicated officers, judges, and jail staff to focus their time and resources where they are truly needed most.
Who sponsored the initial research and discovery work?
We are deeply grateful to Ambassador Enterprises, who catalyzed this vision by generously serving as the sole financial supporter for the comprehensive, five-month Discovery phase.
Who is leading the implementation of these recommendations?
Restore Allen isn’t owned by a single agency; it’s a shared ecosystem. Implementation relies on the continued dedication of our Strategic Advisory Team, our 42 endorsing partners, and engaged community members like you.
How can I learn more about the details of Restore Allen?
The report provides the most detailed account of Restore Allen, including its history, process, and recommendations to the broader community.
What happens next?
Now the work turns to implementation. Each recommendation includes concrete calls to action that can begin right away while also laying the groundwork for long-term change. This next chapter will take sustained collaboration across Allen County to move from ideas to action.
Stay Informed
The release of these recommendations marks a significant milestone in this work. What comes next will require continued collaboration, coordination, and commitment across Allen County as implementation moves forward. Please check back for updates on progress and milestone announcements.
Questions? Send them to connect@restoreallen.com