Features

Feature Story Big Fort Fest takes place July 10-12 at Headwaters Park.

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

“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."

Partner Content Executive Director of Visit Wabash County Christine Flohr (bottom left), President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Wabash County Alex Downard (bottom right), and Visit Wabash County Board President Adam Stakeman (top right) host ThriveIN.

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

“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.”

Feature Story Brandon Johnson receiving a small business loan from Brightpoint, via the Legacy Fund.

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

“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.”

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Cincinnati’s school dental clinics bring relief to thousands

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.

Feature Story Big Brother Jarek Hoppe and his Little Brother Carter

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

“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.”

News The exterior of Blue Jacket, 2826 Calhoun St. Fort Wayne, IN.

City of Fort Wayne announces grants for 22 nonprofit programs

“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.”

Feature Story From left: Residency Founder & Co-Director of Kinhouse Gallery & Residency Kaylan Buteyn works with Sarah Wolfe, artist in residence, along with Dana Caldera, Co-Director of Kinhouse Gallery.

Kinhouse Art Gallery and Residency is bringing artists to Fort Wayne

“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.”

Feature Story Women’s Fund screening of the documentary “I Am Evidence” at Cinema Center, followed by a panel discussion of the rape kit backlog. October 2024 at Cinema Center.

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

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

Feature Story Almost all of Citilink's bus service in Fort Wayne is operating on a 60-minute frequency.

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

“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.”

Feature Story Swizzle Market

Swizzle Market offers alcohol-free drinks and artisan finds

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

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New high school dental program quickly fills workforce gaps

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

Feature Story Aisha Diss, founder and executive director of project.ME

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

“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.”

Partner Content MyTeam Triumph runners start in their own heat at Wabash Run the River.

Wabash Run the River leads with inclusivity

“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.”

Partner Content St. Joseph Hospital, 1968

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

“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.”

Feature Story Students learn lifesaving techniques at a CPR class at Carroll High School.

A ‘one-stop shop’ for comprehensive health educationHow the Allen County Department of Health is partnering with schools

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

Feature Story Co-owner of Papi's Pizza Johnny Perez during the Creator Space 1 Year Bash at Papi's Pizza on The Landing in Fort Wayne, IN.

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

“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."

Feature Story Andrews at an Bring-it Push-it Own-it event.

Meet Bri Andrews: A local advocate focused on solutions

“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."

Feature Story (From left) Councilwoman Rohli Booker, Mayor Sharon Tucker, Harvester Neighborhood Association President Margaret Machlan, and SE Area Partnership President Denita Washington pose at the bus shelter ribbon cutting ceremony.

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

“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.”

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Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states

“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.”

Feature Story From left: Jennie Renner, Megan Burton, and Mia Morris work on mending projects.

PHOTOS: Monday Mendings encourages sustainability

“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.”

Feature Story The Totchop's design is inspired by an ulu, a traditional, multipurpose knife created by Inuit peoples.

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

“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.”

Feature Story Volunteer stock

Making a difference locally: Three tips for volunteering

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

Partner Content Amy Trowbridge, who works for Ford Meter Box, helps cyclists at Dam to Dam registration.

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

“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.”

Feature Story From left: Hilary Hontz, Sarah Thompson, and Mandy Hall cut the ribbon during the grand opening of Good Bread for All.

Good Bread for All creates a welcoming space on Broadway with gluten-free and vegan pastries

“I believe that everyone, no matter who they are or what kind of dietary needs they have, deserves to have good food."

News Each guide has a complementary video, and are available in English, Spanish and Burmese. They are intended to be quick and easy-to-use resources.

New ‘Neighborhood 101 Guides’ offer support for residents looking to make an impact

“The 101 Guides are meaningful because they’re a way to help communities come together and better their neighborhoods.”

News Allen County Public Library, Main Branch

Allen County Public Library celebrates National Library Week, seeks public support amid uncertainty

“It’s a week of honoring the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities.”

Longform Jessica Rickert

Breaking Barriers: Dr. Jessica Rickert inspires native dentists

Jessica Rickert, DDS, the first American Indian female dentist, advocates for oral health equity and inspires Native youth through mentorship and representation.

Partner Content With the help of Parkview Nurse and Indiana University Fort Wayne Instructor Roni Elliott, an IUFW student simulate taking vitals on an infant.

Parkview partners with local universities to address shortage of registered nurses

“The program supports the mutual goals to ensure our communities have the number and quality of nurses needed to care for the region."

Longform Victors for Veterans

Doctors expand dental care access for veterans in need

Two Michigan veterans care advocates are tackling the critical gap in veterans’ dental care, offering free clinics through grants and sustainable community programs.  

Partner Content The exterior of Charley Creek Inn

The Charley Creek Inn: Where timeless elegance meets state-of-the-art comfort

“This isn’t just about preserving the past; it’s about giving people a reason to experience Wabash in new ways.”

Feature Story Vanessa Hayden's office

Safer, more whimsical spaces for children with autism: Q&A with Vanessa Hayden of Partly Whimsical

"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."

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