Zip Codes: 46803, 46806, 46816 South East Fort Wayne is the most diverse quadrant of the city. Home to a wide variety of cultures, languages, cuisines, and churches, its family-run restaurants and grocery stores will take you on a journey around the world. From August-September 2021, this quadrant is the focus of Input's community journalism program called Voices of South East, made possible by support from the Foellinger Foundation. For two months, Input will be producing weekly stories that generate conversations around assets, challenges, and opportunities in South East—as determined by residents themselves. Voices of South East is part of Issue Media Group's national On the Ground series. Previous On the Ground programs have taken place in Fort Wayne, Memphis, Tampa, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Cincinnati, Flint, and Detroit.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“We seek to serve all students and better their health and well-being, one program and one event at a time.”
“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.”
"My mission is to transform conventional spaces into autism-friendly environments that are thoughtfully tailored to support the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. It’s the creation of spaces that truly understand them. We envision a world where every child with autism thrives in an environment that celebrates individuality and fosters growth."
“One of the hardest things about stepping into any community is making sure we’re not forcing capital on them, but that they have projects that can absorb that capital. Fort Wayne has a rich philanthropic community, a very engaged city that understands that it won’t be just one avenue to success. Having a friendly city that is open to all types of different sourcing is really critical to the work.”
“Some people don't necessarily want to be recognized or patted on the back or seek out that attention just because they did something that was a small, kind gesture, but I think more so today than ever we need to shed light on that.”
“Pontiac Street Market is more than a grocery store and we know barriers exist. We wanted to be able to provide food access to all people within our community.”
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