A new elevator is now operating at the Carriage House, thanks in part to City of Fort Wayne Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars. The elevator allows the Carriage House to expand its operations to the second floor of its building, located at 3327 Lake Avenue.

The Carriage House has more than 1,500 current members and the expansion will allow the non-profit to serve any individual, regardless of mobility challenges. The Carriage House adds more than 100 new members each year. Founded in 1997, the Carriage House is a certified "Clubhouse Model" program with the singular mission of assisting people in their recovery from mental illness and reintegration into the community. The Carriage House works with local businesses to provide employment placements for people looking to return to work in the community.

"We are proud to help Carriage House install a new elevator and serve more people in our community," said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. "This is just one way the City uses CDBG funds to help local non-profits serve our most vulnerable residents."

"This project would not have been possible without City of Fort Wayne funding," said Alexander Wilson, executive director of the Carriage House. "We are grateful to the City and all our donors for making it possible for Carriage House to expand its services and assist more people as they recover from mental illness."

The City of Fort Wayne dedicated $76,500 in CDBG funds, as well as $10,000 in CEDIT dollars, to help pay for the elevator, which cost approximately $204,000. The City's dollars were used as matching funds for other local gifts from the following donors:
• McMillen Foundation,
• AWS,
• The Edwin Harmening Family,
• English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation,
• The Edward D. and Ione Auer Foundation,
• The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne,
• Wilson Foundation and
• The Glock Family.

The City receives an annual allocation of CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the funds are designed to improve the quality of life for low-and moderate-income people and targeted populations within the community. For more information about the Carriage House, visit www.fortwayneclubhouse.org.