Recipients of the 2019 Welcoming Fort Wayne Diversity Awards. amanifamilyservices.org
While the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed many fractures and needs in communities, it's also calling attention to those who rise above the odds and serve others.
This fall, Fort Wayne's annual Diversity Awards seek to honor outstanding immigrants, refugees, and those who work to create a welcoming community in Northeast Indiana.
“At a time when our world seems more divided than ever, it’s important to celebrate diversity and the contributions individuals from other cultures make to our community,” says Ewelina Connolly, Chief Executive Officer of Amani Family Services, in a press release for the event. “The Diversity Awards are one way to demonstrate that Fort Wayne is a welcoming community.”
Registration and 2021 award nominations are open for the event, which takes place Friday, Oct. 22, at Ivy Tech Community College. Three awards will be presented this year: Welcoming Organization, Lifetime Achiever, and Emerging Leader. Nominations will be accepted through September 22 at www.WelcomingFW.org.
The Diversity Awards are free to attend, but online registration is required by visiting www.WelcomingFW.org. A light breakfast will be served. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and the program begins at 9 a.m.
Here's more information about the awards ceremony from a press release:
"The 2021 Diversity Awards celebrate the achievements of exceptional immigrants and refugees, native community individuals, organizations and companies that have demonstrated a strong commitment to multiculturalism, and others who have shown dedication to creating a welcoming Fort Wayne community. The awards are presented by Welcoming Fort Wayne, a chapter of Welcoming America and an initiative of Amani Family Services.
The Title Sponsor for the event is the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation and the Presenting Sponsor is Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne. Supporting sponsors include Greater Fort Wayne Inc. and Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Supporting organizations include: Associated Churches, the City of Fort Wayne, East Allen County Schools, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Fort Wayne Metropolitan Human Relations Commission, Friends of the Third World, Language Services Network, Multicultural Council of Fort Wayne, Parkview Health, Purdue University Fort Wayne, St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, Wellspring Interfaith Social Services and YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne.
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs."
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.
Kara Hackett is a Fort Wayne native fascinated by what's next for northeast Indiana how it relates to other up-and-coming places around the world. After working briefly in New York City and Indianapolis, she moved back to her hometown where she has discovered interesting people, projects, and innovations shaping the future of this place—and has been writing about them ever since.
Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @karahackett.