A Place to Belong: How Jasper, Indiana, Gave One Family a Fresh Start

When Sam and his wife began exploring new places to raise their family, Southern Indiana wasn’t initially on their radar. With two young daughters, including one with autism, and a 16-year-old stepson, Sam knew this move needed to be the right fit for the entire family. Thanks to the support of MakeMyMove, the family found not just a new home, but a community where they felt supported in Jasper, IN.

A Move Sparked by Concern—and Hope

Sam and his family were living outside Memphis, Tennessee, on ten acres of peaceful country land. But as the area rapidly developed, the schools their daughters attended began to change—and not for the better.

Riley, their older daughter, started to withdraw. Once expressive and imaginative, she became quiet and disconnected. Though the school district promoted a strong support system, the reality was far less inclusive. Riley was often isolated on the playground, struggled to make friends, and gradually shut down both socially and emotionally.

“She’s artistic and sensitive. We thought she was just more introverted,” Sam said. “But it got worse and worse. It was just a tough environment, and we knew we had to make a change.”

Meanwhile, their youngest daughter, Corey—who is autistic—was also facing challenges in a setting that didn’t fully meet her needs. For Sam and his wife, it became clear that their girls needed more than what their current school environment could provide. What followed was a multi-year search across several states, hoping to find a place that offered both structure and empathy. That’s when they discovered Jasper, Indiana through the MakeMyMove platform—and everything started to shift.

How MakeMyMove Helped Make It Happen

At first, Sam admits he thought MakeMyMove was too good to be true. “I honestly thought it was a scam,” he laughed. “But I figured I’d apply just in case.”

When Sam connected with the team and realized the program was legitimate, everything started to fall into place. “The process was straightforward, the communication was great, and it honestly gave us the confidence to take the leap.”

He and his wife began researching schools in Southern Indiana and found themselves drawn to Jasper for one big reason: the care and compassion they saw in the local school system. “It wasn’t just lip service. The teachers at Ireland Elementary were ready to meet Corey and Riley,” Sam said. “We felt like we finally had support that centered around our daughter’s needs.” The difference was night and day.

With the relocation incentive helping to smooth the transition, the family was able to move sooner than expected—just in time to let the girls finish a few weeks of the school year and prepare for the next. “That early start gave Corey a softer landing,” Sam said. “It gave the teachers time to prepare and her time to adjust.”

From Exclusion to Belonging

Back in Tennessee,Riley's birthday party only had two guests—and both were children of family friends. But after just a few weeks at Ireland Elementary, things were already different. “By the second or third day, she had friends. Real friends,” Sam said. “At her birthday party here, 13 kids showed up.”

For a child who had once felt invisible, the transformation was remarkable. And it wasn’t just social. With encouragement from peers and a supportive environment, Riley began to explore new interests. “She used to shy away from sports completely,” Sam explained. “Now she plays soccer, basketball, does cheerleading and she’s even in softball—she’s 14-22 at bat!”

Sam says the confidence boost has been life-changing. “We always knew she was capable of so much. Now she knows it too.”

A Place to Grow—for Everyone

Today, Sam’s entire family is thriving in Jasper. Even his 16-year-old stepson, who initially stayed behind in Tennessee, plans to make the move this summer after spending last year working for a local farmer. “He got a full-time job at 15, loved it, and saw what this place had to offer,” Sam said.

Sam himself found a new career path in the community. After starting as a remote worker, he was eventually hired at Kimball Electronics, where he now manages quality engineering in their medical division. “It was the right opportunity at the right time,” he said. “There’s real industry here—Toyota, MasterBrand Cabinets, Kimball—and they need skilled workers.”

Looking Ahead

The family is currently renting a home in the area, but they’re already dreaming bigger—exploring land options and planning to put down permanent roots. Sam has even launched a small side business, planting seeds for the future in more ways than one.

But the biggest transformation? Their daughters.

“They have friends. They have confidence. They smile,” Sam said. “This move didn’t just change their environment—it changed their future.”