Input Fort Wayne

Wabash County’s Secret to Growth? Building a welcoming culture

2025-09-22T04:00:00Z

“Our ultimate measure of success is whether our population grows. We want Wabash County to be a place where everyone feels they belong.”

Turning dreams into reality: Meet the Burmese immigrant helping employers and job seekers connect

2025-09-17T04:00:00Z

“I saw so many people in my community struggling to find jobs with good pay and benefits. I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to help them build their dreams.”

Need creative inspiration? Check out Fort Wayne’s newest murals

2025-09-16T04:00:00Z

"My experience thus far has been [that] people generally have a pretty open mind towards art, especially in the Midwest. I find people there are really kind of welcoming and really into community engagement-style projects."

The League’s Leadership Academy is empowering people to transform their communities

2025-09-10T04:00:00Z

“We start with their personal stories, connect them to disability rights, and then build leadership and advocacy skills. By the end, we’re preparing them to serve on boards, councils, and commissions, or even run campaigns.”

Community leaders want to change Fort Wayne’s status as a CDFI desert

2025-09-09T04:00:00Z

“We have parts of the population here in Fort Wayne that have been systematically left behind — and this is not a new issue, but we could come up with new solutions.”

Fort Wayne’s streets can be dangerous without a car – advocates say the fix starts with a plan

2025-09-08T04:00:00Z

Advocates ask Fort Wayne to push forward with “Complete Streets” by adopting a refreshed, city-owned multimodal transportation plan.

More than a network: Young Professionals of Wabash County

2025-08-26T04:00:00Z

“I think this young professionals group is good because it shows you many different ways to be involved, so you can find your niche or what you’re most passionate about.”

Historic charm & modern design: West Central welcomes visitors for its Home & Garden Tour

2025-08-26T04:00:00Z

"West Central is where history and creativity come together. This weekend offers a rare chance to see the past preserved, the present celebrated, and the future being built right in our neighborhood."

The historic library with a big green dragon: TCB Games is creating a sense of wonder in Huntington

2025-08-25T04:00:00Z

"When I was a kid, I read The Hobbit so many times it made me feel a sense of wonder, and I think that is my job as a business owner of a game shop."

Rethink Your Route and Join us at the YLNI Farmers Market on September 13

2025-08-20T04:00:00Z

Input Fort Wayne is inviting you to Rethink Your Route and try a new way of getting around – without a car. Whether on foot, bike, bus, scooter, or skateboard, join us at the YLNI Farmers Market on September 13 using alternative transportation.

In the business of growing: Q&A with Jessica Fuller of Fuller Plants

2025-08-20T04:00:00Z

"I wanted to help people learn and offer healthy, happy plants. The internet has way too much information, which can be overwhelming for a new plant parent. I wanted to be a solid, trustworthy resource."

What Downtown Fort Wayne’s potential reauthorization means for the city’s next chapter

2025-08-19T04:00:00Z

“The main thing, in my opinion, would be one single voice that has one mission — that is to concentrate and make sure that we’re continuing to develop, protect and advocate for our downtown.”

How Latinos Count is empowering youth in Indiana

2025-08-13T04:00:00Z

“We’ve been getting money here and there, but this is serious money that shows other foundations and the community what we’re capable of. Our hope is that this is just the start, and that we’ll continue building the relationships and systems we need to keep serving Latino youth and their families, wherever they are.”

‘A space for historically excluded artists’: BIPOCA Incubator and Gallery

2025-08-12T04:00:00Z

"To accomplish these goals, BIPOCA, of course, has a new space for exhibits and selling, but we have also developed a year-long incubation process for artists to participate in if they choose, and we are always working on funding to help artists with greatly needed resources."

Memorial Park Neighborhood is banding together to bring pride, identity, and community back

2025-08-09T04:00:00Z

“This is the chance for the neighborhood to help establish a sense of pride and identity. And then to also let both residents and visitors know that they're inside of a neighborhood that's active and well cared for and has leadership working hard to establish the association and build up residence.”

‘Enthusiasm can drive real, lasting change’: How Decatur's Youth Council is shaping the community

2025-08-06T04:00:00Z

"Their input has sparked improvements in local parks, brought attention to traffic safety concerns, and helped shape broader conversations about youth needs in Decatur."

Blog: This fellowship is addressing burnout and offering renewal for youth professionals

2025-08-05T04:00:00Z

"My fellowship year was life-changing. I learned that taking care of myself is not selfish; it is necessary. I experienced how vulnerability feeds meaningful relationships that sustain me. I gained a network of support from all over the state of Indiana. And I was inspired to pass along the gifts that I received from The Journey to others."

Developing animation talent and providing opportunities: PQC Trains Toon Boom Classes

2025-07-30T04:00:00Z

“We did all of our homework, and now we just need people to know that we’ve got this great program. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

How an Indiana hygienist inspires careers, expands access as an industry ambassador

2025-07-28T04:00:00Z

Hali Householder helps recruit future dental hygienists and promotes whole-body health through a pioneering workforce initiative tackling care shortages.

Making friends as an adult can be hard – Fort Wayne Social Club provides a solution

2025-07-23T04:00:00Z

“This group is for everyone. However, I have seen a lot of transplants, people reintegrating back into Fort Wayne after moving away for a job or college, and mothers or people who have gone through major life changes really benefiting and appreciating this group.”

Shifting gears for good: Dave Kunkel Cruise-In fuels ALS research

2025-07-22T04:00:00Z

“My favorite part about it is seeing so many people from the community, so many of my coworkers and young people getting involved with a charity event like this – to come together for one common goal. I like seeing everyone come together to give back to a good cause.”

Meet the organizations working to connect Northeast Indiana residents to local farmers

2025-07-22T04:00:00Z

“Choice of food is such a huge part of dignity for people. That’s why efforts like HEAL Markets and Double Up matter so much. They enable families to choose the vegetables and produce they actually want and will use, creating a real connection between farmers and communities.”

Local advocates emphasize the ‘community’ in community cat programs

2025-07-16T04:00:00Z

“The response [to the program] has been incredible. We are inundated with caretakers who want to use our advocacy and TNR services, so much so that demand far outweighs our capacity.”

This community-oriented gym is fostering national-level talent

2025-07-14T04:00:00Z

“Every game that you play is an application. You just have to be prepared and be ready for every game. It’s my job to make sure they’re prepared when the opportunity comes.”

How movements, a model, and a mission intersected to create the Center for Nonviolence

2025-07-12T04:00:00Z

“Our community is showing up for us, and it's really powerful because, for 44 years, the work we've been doing has been in service to the community.”

FitKids360: Helping children build healthier futures, one habit at a time

2025-07-07T04:00:00Z

“There is such value in programs that focus on preventative measures. It means kiddos can live a life without chronic illness. If they have the knowledge to create behavior change that nourishes their bodies, we can prevent chronic illness such as obesity, which leads to type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.”

ThriveIN Podcast: Turning Up the Volume on Wabash County’s Story

2025-06-30T04:00:00Z

“We thought about what it would look like if we created this podcast series to highlight those people and stories. It would be used as an internal and external communication tool to create more champions and awareness in Wabash County.”

Big Fort Fest: The city’s newest summer festival is ‘a love letter to Fort Wayne’

2025-06-30T04:00:00Z

“We’re not here to replace what came before us, but to build something new that respects the past while creating a fresh tradition for future generations."

Applications open for Heating and Air Conditioning Systems Loan Program from the City of Fort Wayne

2025-06-25T04:00:00Z

The program offers Fort Wayne residents a zero percent interest loan for the replacement or installation of new heating and air conditioning systems.

Meet the carpenter opening doors in the trades, one house at a time

2025-06-24T04:00:00Z

“I don’t think there’s a shortage of talent. I think it’s a shortage of educational opportunities. A lot of guys want to learn, but they need an environment where they feel supported.”

Cincinnati’s school dental clinics bring relief to thousands

2025-06-23T04:00:00Z

Serving 24,000 patients annually, the Cincinnati Health Department dental program brings year-round care to students and community patients through an innovative public-private partnership.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana is seeking mentors from across the region

2025-06-18T04:00:00Z

“It’s about leveraging those personal relationships. Sometimes all it takes is hearing a story from someone who’s been a Big to inspire someone else to join.”

City of Fort Wayne announces grants for 22 nonprofit programs

2025-06-11T04:00:00Z

“It takes all of us working together, the private, non-profit and government sectors, to create a thriving community that offers everyone opportunities to succeed. The funding we’re announcing today helps local non-profit agencies provide critical services to our most vulnerable residents.”

Kinhouse Art Gallery and Residency is bringing artists to Fort Wayne

2025-06-11T04:00:00Z

“I don't think there are any artist residencies in Indiana, at least not ones that have a similar model. So it felt like there was potential for opening.”

How grassroots activism and legislative efforts are taking aim at Indiana’s rape kit backlog

2025-06-10T04:00:00Z

“The more we hear from the public, the clearer it becomes where the state’s priorities should be."

Solving a shortfall: Citilink seeks long-term solutions for public transportation funding

2025-06-04T04:00:00Z

“Despite the challenges, our team remains committed to our mission and the long-term vision for Citilink. Public transit is essential for Fort Wayne’s economic growth, elevating quality of life and opportunity for our neighbors who are non-driving. By focusing on solutions and partnerships, we’re working to ensure Citilink can continue to serve the community now and in the future.”

Swizzle Market offers alcohol-free drinks and artisan finds

2025-06-03T04:00:00Z

Swizzle opened in May 2024 to offer a social space without alcohol that would be welcoming to all.

New high school dental program quickly fills workforce gaps

2025-05-29T04:00:00Z

Walker Career Center trains teens for dental careers, tackling workforce shortages and helping underserved students access well-paying, high-demand health care jobs.

Project.ME: The region's growing hub for recovery, harm reduction and community outreach

2025-05-28T04:00:00Z

“I just had some people that naturally started reaching out to me because I was a very passionate advocate about self-guided recovery, but I was also ashamed, embarrassed, all of those things, so the way I combated all of those things was by being transparent about everything I was going through.”

Wabash Run the River leads with inclusivity

2025-05-27T04:00:00Z

“It’s so cool the way that Wabash County really supports all the athletes that come from across the country. The community is eager to volunteer and even more excited to make it possible for everyone to get out and explore the world, one race at a time.”

St. Katharina Kasper: How one woman’s dedication changed the framework of a city

2025-05-24T04:00:00Z

“If you think about it, the Poor Handmaids were busting through glass ceilings before anyone had coined the term. Before women even had the right to vote, the Poor Handmaids were basically CEOs of orphanages, hospitals, and educational systems, and they were so humble the world never really recognized they did it.”

A ‘one-stop shop’ for comprehensive health education

2025-05-07T04:00:00Z

“We seek to serve all students and better their health and well-being, one program and one event at a time.”

How Fort Wayne food entrepreneur Johnny Perez built and scaled a restaurant empire

2025-05-07T04:00:00Z

“I do think that when you scale, you want to make sure that you don't lose some of that magic that you had when you first started."

Meet Bri Andrews: A local advocate focused on solutions

2025-05-06T04:00:00Z

“Now, I use my story to teach others how to reclaim their power, to advocate for policies that break cycles of harm, and to model a faith that meets people in their pain without judgment. This work isn’t charity – it's justice in action. It’s being the change that I want to see in this world."

‘Strong neighborhoods build strong cities’: Fort Wayne's ground-up approach to community development

2025-04-29T04:00:00Z

“We’re out in the neighborhoods as much as possible. Whether we’re at coffee shops, during neighborhood walks, or even standing at local markets, our goal is to build authentic relationships.”

Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states

2025-04-28T04:00:00Z

“We didn’t set out to build a national program. We just responded to a local need and applied what we knew best—how to create health education that people actually understand and use.”

PHOTOS: Monday Mendings encourages sustainability

2025-04-28T04:00:00Z

“Mending doesn't always mean fixing a seam. It can mean adding a patch or button, adding decorative stitches to hide a stain, or simply modifying a garment– add, subtract, or tuck, in order to make it wearable again.”

Meet the developer behind Totchop, a one-handed cutting device making meal prep easier

2025-04-23T04:00:00Z

“Two months after we launched, we went viral on TikTok from a friend of a friend who made a post, and then we sold out in a day. It's kind of an entrepreneurial dream…that virality, that definitely opened eyes to what we were up to.”

Making a difference locally: Three tips for volunteering

2025-04-22T04:00:00Z

“I think that takes real ownership over the community, like you are invested in it– you believe in it.”

Beyond the factory floor: Manufacturing companies making a difference in Wabash County

2025-04-17T04:00:00Z

“You always hear about Paperworks and Ford Meter Box always stepping up and filling in the need. It goes back to the size of the community, where employers realize that they have a huge impact on the livelihood of our individual citizens and as a community as a whole.”