Past Projects
In our 69 years of service in the Fort Wayne Community, JLFW has significantly impacted the community through our time, volunteer expertise and treasure.
The following are brief descriptions of completed JLFW Community Project Collaborations over the past 15 years. These highlights illustrate the types of projects in which we have been involved and the roles our volunteers have filled for those projects.
A Proud History of Service: Click here to see the complete list of our 85 projects
2005-2008 Family Connections Kids and Divorce Classes
JLFW wrapped up a three-year partnership with Family Connections, a division of SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect) in May 2008. The purpose of the project was to expand Family Connections’ class offerings and provide classes for children coping with divorce or family conflict.
The “Kids and Divorce” classes are designed to give children tools to help them cope with the changes that come when parents divorce. They learn about their feelings and how to express them appropriately. They learn that they are not alone in this situation and they are not to blame for their parent’s divorce. They also learn that change is a normal part of life. Through activities and discussions they graduate from the class with essential tools for coping with their parent’s divorce.
JLFW volunteer roles
- Researching and recommending curricula
- Facilitating classes for children of divorce
- Assisting SCAN in marketing the class to the community, including developing a brochure
- Coordinating the volunteer facilitators for the classes
While Junior League’s daily involvement in the program has ended, the program continues to grow through SCAN.
If you are interested in volunteering to facilitate Kids and Divorce Classes or know of children who would benefit from participating in the classes, please contact Tonya Sheets, the Family Coordinator for Family Connections, at 260-426-9999.
Click here to download the Kids and Divorce Class brochure
2000-2003 Child Advocacy Center
The Junior League of Fort Wayne donated $60,000 to help fund the creation of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) to honor our 60th Anniversary. The CAC is a nonprofit collaborative effort of many agencies to combat the complexities of investigating and treating child sexual abuse. The Center is an all-inclusive location where law enforcement, child protection investigators, forensic nurses, victim advocates and prosecutors work in cooperation to affect justice. The CAC vision - “We shall have no higher priority than our children” meets well with the vision of the Junior League.
JLFW volunteer roles
- Educated community about the new child-friendly center by speaking to counselors and teachers and several local schools.
- Assisted the CAC with their Finding Words Conference.
- Represented JLFW on the CAC Board of Directors during the three years of the project.
- Assisted in decorating the new facility by choosing paint colors, carpeting, furniture, and dolphin décor.
2000-2003 Seeds for Tomorrow
JLFW received a three-year grant from the Foellinger Foundation, Inc. for Seeds for Tomorrow, a neighborhood re-granting program for Allen County communities. Seeds for Tomorrow re-granted over $300,000 to 176 community organizations over a 3-year period.
Over the three years, many community organizations partnered with the Junior League in Seeds for Tomorrow: Allen County, City of Fort Wayne, Allen County Realtors Association, Allen County Bar Association, Allen County Extension Office, Chamber of Commerce, Associated Churches, Fort Wayne Urban League, Links, Leadership Fort Wayne, Community Service Council, Community Arts Council, Medical Alliance, Project Renew, and United Way of Allen County
JLFW volunteer roles
- Led the Seeds for Tomorrow committee.
- Trained 20 Junior League members and 41 community volunteers in grant review.
- Reviewed proposals and evaluated grant recipients.
1997-2000 Everybody Wins!
Junior League of Fort Wayne adopted the Everybody Wins! reading program which places corporate and community volunteers in a school once a week to share lunch, conversation, and good literature. JLFW brought the program to Arcola Elementary School, a small rural school is in Northwest Allen County School district.
Each year approximately 20 first and second graders were matched with an adult volunteer. Students were proud to share new accomplishments in their reading and enjoyed listening to their partner read to them. Adults taking time out of their day to come read with the student sent a powerful message about the value of each child and the importance of reading.
JLFW volunteer roles
- Recruited volunteer readers from Conner Corporation, Xolox, Inc. and the community.
- Planned and held kickoff and year-end celebrations that included visits from storybook characters Arthur and Curious George and a brand new book for each child.
1997-2000 Paths to QUALITY
Child Care and Early Education Partnership
JLFW was one of eight original partners on the Child Care and Early Education partnership which included The City of Fort Wayne Mayor’s Office, Foellinger Foundation, Inc., The Lutheran Foundation, Fort Wayne Community Foundation, The United Way of Allen County, Early Childhood Alliance, and Lincoln Financial Group.
The goal of the partnership was to address the critical need for quality education and child care for young children in the community.
The Paths to QUALITY program, which guides parents in their quest for appropriate daycare using a tiered quality indicator system, was the result of the partnership’s work. Paths to QUALITY also serves as a resource (through education opportunities and incentives) for providers who wish to improve the quality level of their care. A mass-marketing campaign succeeded in generating great interest from parents and providers alike.
Paths to QUALITY was launched in Allen County in April 2000, and has since expanded to five more counties in northeast Indiana and 12 counties in southwest Indiana. In 2007 it became the official state-wide quality rating system for child care in the State of Indiana.
JLFW volunteer roles
- Served as JLFW representative on the partnership.
- Organized a collection drive that resulted in every family day care that registered for the program receiving a large bin filled with numerous art and craft supplies, as well as a useful resource book enabling them to raise their level of quality.
1995-1998 Science Central
On November 5, 1995, Science Central opened its new home to the public for the first time. Nearly eight years of dedicated, passionate work became a reality. A focused, visionary community group turned an old eyesore of a building into an entertaining and educational facility of which Fort Wayne and Indiana can be proud.
JLFW volunteer roles
- Organized and implemented two very successful events: the New Year's Eve Experiment and The Great Eggsperiment.
- Provided a grant to enable the hands-on center to bring in a special exhibit called "Beatrix Potter.”
- Developed a Science Central brochure that was a useful tool for the residents of Indiana, as well as for tourists and other visitors to the center.
1994-1997 Pathways
Partnered with Pathways, a 20 bed youth shelter. Pathways has since joined forces with the Villages of Indiana, Inc., resulting in a joint venture to enhance youth services in the Fort Wayne area.
JLFW volunteer roles
- Served as mentors, tutors and activities coordinators. Volunteers spent time playing games, working on crafts or simply visiting with the children.
- Provided instrumental help in creating Pathway's newsletter, PathNotes. The newsletter served a vital role in raising awareness of the project in Fort Wayne and helped gain much needed financial support.
1993-1996 Erin’s House for Grieving Children
Erin’s House for Grieving Children is the result of a very successful JLFW project which took seed from our own past president, Tracie Martin. Erin’s House for Grieving Children provides support services that promote healing and recovery of children, teens, and young adults affected by death. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, Erin’s House works with families to prevent the negative consequences of unresolved grief. Through peer support services, Erin’s House for Grieving Children provides a safe environment for those who are grieving the terminal illness or death of a loved one. Members of JLFW continue to be actively involved in Erin’s House for Grieving Children.
JLFW volunteer roles
- Served as facilitators and facilitator coordinators.
- Wrote grants.
- Assisted with several successful fund raisers.
- Trained facilitators.
- Wrote and implemented feasibility study that began Erin’s House for Grieving Children.