Our History
In 2012, Helping Hands was founded as a result of a vision brought to life by our Founding Executive Director, Brandy Aschliman. In partnership with a dedicated Board of Directors, the organization was named and a location in Bluffton was secured in June of that year. Over the following six months, the space was thoughtfully remodeled to serve as a crisis pregnancy clinic, and in January 2013, Helping Hands officially opened its doors.
As the organization grew, so did the needs of the surrounding communities. In response, Helping Hands expanded into Blackford County after recognizing a clear gap in services. In November 2015, the organization was generously granted a building and gifted an ultrasound machine, allowing for the opening of a second center in Montpelier in May 2016.
In the years that followed, Helping Hands experienced steady growth, expanding both its programming and services. As the organization deepened its understanding of community needs, it became clear that support must extend beyond pregnancy and birth. This led to the adoption of a “whole-family approach,” intentionally serving fathers, mothers, and children through a comprehensive range of programs and services.
In 2023, founder and Executive Director Brandy Aschliman stepped down from her leadership role. While her impact on the organization and community is immeasurable, her investment of time, vision, and leadership positioned Helping Hands for continued success. Following her transition, Kylie Tomlin - who has been on staff since 2020 - stepped into the role of Executive Director and now leads the organization into its next chapter.
Shortly thereafter, a strategic decision was made to centralize operations into one primary location in Bluffton, while continuing to serve families across Adams, Allen, Blackford, Huntington, Wells County, and surrounding areas. This transition was accompanied by significant growth. From 2023 to 2024, Helping Hands experienced a 49% increase in visits, further demonstrating the increasing demand for services.
As this growth accelerated, the organization’s current facility on Dustman Road - despite multiple renovations - began to fall short of capacity needs. In early 2024, Helping Hands moved all evening programming offsite to a local church to accommodate demand. While this provided a temporary solution, it also prompted an important question that continues to shape our future: What’s next?
In February 2024, Helping Hands received a generous donation of land that would become the future home of the organization. Building on that momentum, Helping Hands launched a capital campaign in 2025, leveraging a $1.25 million matching grant to invest in a facility that will expand its impact on families for generations to come.
