Child Welfare Agency Buys Former AgriSompo Office for Expansion

Hobby Horse House, a licensed nonprofit child welfare agency based in Jacksonville, completed the purchase of the former AgriSompo office at 1608 W. Lafayette Ave. on Dec. 19 for $535,000 and announced plans to finish its move by the end of January. The acquisition brings a significant portion of the agency’s operations under one roof and aims to strengthen service delivery for Morgan County families.

The new facility will house 50–75 staff who had previously been spread across smaller sites or working in community settings. Agency leaders plan three dedicated visitation rooms to provide private, secure spaces for supervised visits and counseling that are not always possible in clients’ homes or in public locations. The building also includes space for a training room and for community events such as resource fairs, which the agency intends to host to connect residents with local services.

Consolidating staff and services has immediate operational benefits. Centralization typically improves scheduling efficiency, reduces travel time for employees, and allows for more consistent case management, all of which can translate into higher-quality care for children and families. For clients, dedicated visitation rooms and counseling spaces can enhance privacy and reduce stress during sensitive interactions, making it easier for social workers and therapists to conduct assessments and provide interventions.

There are local economic implications as well. The purchase represents a direct investment of $535,000 into Morgan County real estate and repurposes an existing office building, a pattern seen across many communities as nonprofits and public services convert commercial space for community uses. Bringing dozens of staff to a single location may increase daytime foot traffic for nearby businesses and simplify coordination with county agencies, schools, and health providers.

The move also reflects longer-term pressures on child welfare systems to balance limited resources with rising demand for services. By creating on-site training space, Hobby Horse House can expand professional development and host community resource events that bolster preventive supports. Centralized facilities can help agencies meet regulatory and confidentiality requirements more consistently, which is critical in sensitive child welfare work.

For residents who rely on Hobby Horse House services, the new location promises clearer points of access and improved privacy for visitations and counseling. The agency’s consolidation of its workforce and program space at 1608 W. Lafayette Ave. will be a visible change in Jacksonville’s service landscape as the move completes later this month.