MAYOR TUCKER ANNOUNCES AWARDING OF 22 GRANTS TO NON-PROFIT PROGRAMS

June 26, 2024 - Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker today announced 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 available to help low- and moderate-income residents with shelter, basic needs, employment skills, language translation and interpretation, and youth development.

Today's 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 help support one-on-one tutoring and after-school programming there while offering students a safe and welcoming space.

This year, the following non-profits will receive grants:

• A Mother's Hope

Support intensive case management to all residents in the maternity home (a homeless shelter for expectant mothers) and those in their after-care program.

• Brightpoint - Coordinated Entry

Support HUD's requirement to have a Coordinated Entry system in our region (an unfunded mandate). Brightpoint serves as the lead agency and will use this funding to pay for the positions that address the requirement.

• Brightpoint - Covering Kids & Families

Support the program to increase Hoosiers' access to health coverage through enrollment assistance, education, and advocacy.

• Brightpoint

Support Brightpoint's efforts to help families maintain or obtain stable housing with Rapid ReHousing funding.

• Blue Jacket, Inc.

Support the Academy Facilitator and the Career Manager in expanding Blue Jacket Academy, which includes pre-employment and job readiness training, personal development, and job placement services.

• Catholic Charities - Coordinated Entry

Support Catholic Charities will collaborate 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

Support the Journey Home program, which provides one-on-one case management services for individuals as they overcome any underlying barriers and support their journey of transitioning from shelter to community life.

• Center for Nonviolence

Funding will support staff to meet the rise in demand and continue providing free support and advocacy services to victims and survivors, particularly for members of communities that are most vulnerable to risk factors for violence.

• Euell A. Wilson Center

Support the Work Ready Youth program that assists teens of color and low-income teens in obtaining and maintaining employment, including job placement, workshops, personalized career and life coaching for the youth.

• Early Childhood Alliance

Funding will support all aspects of the true cost of high-quality childcare that low-to-moderate-income families cannot afford (staff, curricula, supplies, etc.)

• Fort Wayne Urban League

Support youth empowerment services, including one-on-one tutoring and peer support, while offering students a safe and welcoming space.

• Just Neighbors

Support the street outreach endeavors with the Same City Food Truck. All funding will go toward the case manager's salary.

• Language Services Network - I&T

Translation and interpretation services, including two pieces of training for interpreters in the mental health field, support Language Access Plan, and Language Help Here! The campaign provides two part-time coordinators to assist with intake, scheduling, and other needed support services.

• Language Services Network - ESL Classes

Funding will support LSN's English Innovations classes - to help immigrants attain the reading, writing, and communication skills they want and need to gain employment and/or pursue further education.

• Mustard Seed Furniture Bank

Funding will support staff facilitating the Home Furnishings Distribution Program, assist with transition support for families moving away from homelessness, and connect them to other community resources.

• The Literacy Alliance

Support the instructors for the Literacy Alliance's Pre-High School Equivalency one-to-one tutoring for adults and the English Language Learners classes for adults to help individuals needing improved English language skills. The goal is to serve 175 individuals.

• Vincent Village Care Car Service

The Care Car program provides residents transportation to medical, educational, and employment appointments. The program is expanding to include hours for third-shift employees.

• The Lutheran Foundation, Inc.

Funding will support the Handing Out Hope project collaboration with Street Outreach dollars. The goal is to serve 1,000 individuals.

• TeenWorks

Funding for this program will provide paid work-learn experiences, life skills training, and career/college exploration to under-served teens in Fort Wayne.

• YWCA NEIN

The funding will support YWCA shelter operations.

• YWCA NEIN

YWCA's Emergency Financial Assistance program helps remove critical barriers to self-sufficiency and stable housing by providing short-term financial intervention that 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

Support shelter operations at St. Joseph Missions Women's Shelter, the only emergency shelter that serves explicitly unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness

The City receives CDBG and ESG dollars annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Many cities have stopped funding non-profit services because of federal cuts to CDBG allocations over the past decade. Mayor Tucker, however, will continue to commit to these services.

"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," said Mayor Tucker. "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 City uses a competitive application process to award the grants. A volunteer committee helps score the applications and makes recommendations on funding. Criteria are based on goals for the use of federal funds that are developed in part with input from residents.