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Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry today announced that 10 local non-profits will receive funding from the City’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars.

Approximately $180,000 will be available to help low- and moderate-income residents with shelter, basic needs, employment skills, language translation and interpretation, and youth development. The Mayor made the announcement at the Renaissance Pointe YMCA, which offers the Students of Success College and Career Readiness Program that will be supported by CDBG dollars.

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

  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne (a program helping at-risk middle school youth explore various career and job opportunities),
  • Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network (providing support for a case manager that assists families in moving from the homeless shelter to permanent housing),
  • Language Services Network (a program providing translation and interpretation services for immigrants and refugees),
  • Literacy Alliance (a program providing instruction for adults whose reading levels measure below fifth grade),
  • Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana (a program helping individuals living in permanent supportive and transitional housing manage mental illness and/or addiction),
  • Volunteer Center/RSVP (support for a free legal assistance clinic that helps remove legal barriers for clients seeking employment and housing)
  • SCAN (support for a Courtyard facility overnight case manager to help youth who are aging out of foster care with life skills training),
  • United Way 211 (support for 211 services that assist homeless individuals and direct them to programs that can provide shelter),
  • Vincent Village (a car sharing service for residents of Vincent Village who need transportation for health care services and employment training or placement)
  • YMCA (a program supporting career exploration for at-risk teens, including job shadowing).

The City receives CDBG dollars annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to fund activities that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents. Because of federal cuts to CDBG allocations over the past decade, many cities have stopped funding non-profit services. Mayor Henry, however, continues his commitment to these services.

“It’s important for City government to work in partnership with our community’s outstanding non-profit organizations,” said Mayor Henry. “Together, we can provide opportunities for all of our residents to succeed and move Fort Wayne forward in the right direction.”

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 local residents.

Today’s announcement was held at the Renaissance Pointe YMCA, 2323 Bowser Ave.