Ft Wayne Times

June 26, 2024 - Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker announced today that 22 local non-profit organization programs will receive funding from the City of Fort Wayne’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) dollars.

Approximately $400,000 will be allocated to assist low- and moderate-income residents with shelter, basic needs, employment skills, language translation and interpretation, and youth development.

The announcement was made at the Fort Wayne Urban League, a non-profit located at 2135 S Hanna St., which offers Neighborhood Beautification Grants, senior and family programs, youth readiness training, community navigation, and entrepreneurship programs. CDBG dollars will support one-on-one tutoring and after-school programming there while providing students with a safe space.

This year’s grant recipients include:

- A Mother's Hope: Support for intensive case management in their maternity home for expectant mothers.

- Brightpoint - Coordinated Entry: Funding to meet HUD's requirement for a Coordinated Entry system.

- Brightpoint - Covering Kids & Families: Assistance for increasing Hoosiers' access to health coverage.

- Brightpoint: Support for Rapid ReHousing funding to help families maintain or obtain stable housing.

- Blue Jacket, Inc.: Expansion of Blue Jacket Academy's pre-employment and job readiness training.

- Catholic Charities - Coordinated Entry: Collaboration with Brightpoint on Coordinated Entry assessments.

- Catholic Charities - Journey Home: One-on-one case management services for transitioning individuals.

- Center for Nonviolence: Continued free support and advocacy services for victims of violence.

- Euell A. Wilson Center: Support for the Work Ready Youth program aiding teens in employment readiness.

- Early Childhood Alliance: Funding high-quality childcare costs that low-to-moderate-income families cannot afford.

- Fort Wayne Urban League: Youth empowerment services including tutoring and peer support.

- Just Neighbors: Street outreach endeavors with the Same City Food Truck case manager salary support.

- Language Services Network - I&T: Translation and interpretation services including mental health interpreter training.

- Language Services Network – ESL Classes: English Innovations classes to aid immigrants in gaining employment or further education.

- Mustard Seed Furniture Bank: Facilitating the Home Furnishings Distribution Program assisting transitioning families from homelessness.

- The Literacy Alliance: Pre-high school equivalency tutoring and English Language Learners classes aimed at serving 175 individuals.

- Vincent Village Care Car Service: Transportation program expansion to include third-shift employees’ hours.

- The Lutheran Foundation, Inc.: Handing Out Hope project collaboration with Street Outreach funds aiming to serve 1,000 individuals.

- TeenWorks: Paid work-learn experiences along with life skills training for underserved teens in Fort Wayne.

- YWCA NEIN Shelter Operations

YWCA NEIN Emergency Financial Assistance program aiding clients towards stable housing while recovering from domestic violence or addiction.

St. Joseph Missions Women's Shelter operations supporting unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness.

The City receives CDBG and ESG dollars annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Despite federal cuts over the past decade leading many cities to cease funding non-profit services through CDBG allocations, Mayor Tucker remains committed to these services.

"My administration is committed to providing an enhanced quality of life for all residents in Fort Wayne," said Mayor Tucker. "We care about people and want the best for individuals and families in our community. Our partner organizations are making a meaningful difference by providing needed programming and services."

The City employs a competitive application process to award grants. A volunteer committee scores applications based on criteria developed partly through resident input.