FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) — Twenty-two is the lucky number for Fort Wayne non-profits.
Mayor Sharon Tucker announced the list of 22 local non-profit organization programs receiving funding from the City of Fort Wayne’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).
CDBG and ESG dollars are distributed annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The organizations were revealed Wednesday at the Fort Wayne Urban League.
The following non-profits will receive grants:
A Mother’s Hope, a homeless shelter for pregnant women, is using the funding to support intensive case management to all residents and those in their after-care program.
Brightpoint is applying the money to their efforts in helping families maintain or obtain stable housing with Rapid ReHousing funding.
Brightpoint Coordinated Entry is able to support HUD’s requirement to have a coordinated entry system in the region. Brightpoint serves as the lead agency and is paying for the positions that address the requirement.
Brightpoint Covering Kids & Families is using the grant to increase Hoosiers’ access to health coverage through enrollment assistance, education and advocacy.
Blue Jacket, Inc. is putting the money toward supporting the academy facilitator and career manager in expanding Blue Jacket Academy. This includes pre-employment and job readiness training, personal development and job placement services.
Catholic Charities Coordinated Entry is applying the funding toward a collaboration with Brightpoint to conduct coordinated entry assessments to determine housing options and provide resources to families and individuals currently experiencing homelessness.
Catholic Charities Journey Home is providing one-on-one case management services for individuals overcoming any underlying barriers to support their journey of transitioning from shelter to community life.
Center for Nonviolence is supporting staff in order to meet the continuing needs of providing free support and advocacy services to victims and survivors. Specifically, the services are to be utilized by members of communities that are most vulnerable to risk factors for violence.
Euell A. Wilson Center is applying the money toward their Work Ready Youth program that assists teens of color and low-income teens in obtaining and maintaining employment. These include job placement, workshops, personalized career and life coaching for the youth.
Early Childhood Alliance is funding their mission of making high-quality child care accessible to low- to moderate-income families. This includes focusing on staff, curricula and supplies.
Fort Wayne Urban League is enhancing youth empowerment services such as one-on-one tutoring and peer support while providing students with a safe and welcoming space.
Just Neighbors is putting their funding toward supporting street outreach endeavors with the Same City Food Truck, all money will go toward the case manager’s salary.
Language Services Network I&T is uplifting translation and interpretation services through training for interpreters in the mental health field, supporting the Language Access Plan and the Language Help Here! The campaign provides two part-time coordinators to assist with intake, scheduling and other needed services.
Language Services Network ESL Classes is funding LSN’s English Innovations classes. This helps immigrants attain the reading, writing and communication skills needed to gain employment and/or pursue further education.
Mustard Seed Furniture Bank is using the money toward helping staff facilitating the Home Furnishings Distribution Program, which assists with transition support for families moving away from homelessness by connecting them to other community resources.
The Literacy Alliance is focusing on their Pre-High School Equivalency one-on-one tutoring for adults and the English Language Learners classes for adults through supporting their instructors. Both programs help individuals needing improved English language skills with a goal of serving 175 people.
The Lutheran Foundation, Inc. is providing support for their Handing Out Hope project collaboration with Street Outreach dollars. Their goal is to serve 1,000 individuals.
Vincent Village Care Car Service is funding their Care Car program which provides residents with transportation to medical, education and employment appointments. The program is expanding its hours to include third-shift employees.
TeenWorks is uplifting their program providing paid work-learn experiences, life skills training and career/college exploration to under-served teens in Fort Wayne.
YWCA NEIN is aiding in funding YWCA shelter operations.
YWCA NEIN is focusing on YWCA’s Emergency Financial Assistance program that helps remove critical barriers to self-sufficiency and stable housing by providing short-term financial intervention. This allows many clients to attain or maintain stable housing as they work to build back stability while recovering from domestic violence or addiction.
St. Joseph Missions Women’s Shelter, the only emergency shelter that serves explicitly unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness, is supporting shelter operations.
To identify and award local non-profits, the city utilizes a competitive application process. Upon submission, a volunteer committee scores each application and makes a recommendation on funding. Criteria are based on exploring organization goals and hopes for the federal funding.
“My administration is committed to providing an enhanced quality of life for all residents in Fort Wayne. We care about people and want the best for individuals and families in our community,” Tucker said. “Our partner organizations are making a meaningful difference to provide needed programming and services. By working together we’re able to accomplish so much more and impact many lives in a positive way.”
The late Mayor Tom Henry announced the list of 27 non-profit recipients last year in June.