Like many small, community-based organizations, Fort Wayne’s
Center for Nonviolence was born out of the grassroots efforts of a small group of changemakers. However, what’s more unusual is that the work of a few of the founding members, John and Beth Beams, continues to shape people’s approaches to relationships around the world.
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Beth and John BeamsFirst opening in 1981, the Center evolved from a pro-feminist men’s initiative aimed at supporting the growing feminist and anti-violence movements of the time. In the mix were Beth Beams, an anthropologist by education, and her husband, John Beams, an attorney by trade. They were considered by many to be a power couple in the local progressive community.
Though the Beams’ efforts were central to the Center’s origin story, they’re quick to point out its collective roots. Initially known as Men for Nonviolence, John says a group of about 10 men gathered to explore their role as allies and advocates.
“We were looking for ways to be allies of and supporters of the feminist women…who were doing activism against domestic violence and rape,” John recalls.
Early meetings focused on fostering self-awareness and dismantling the societal norms that upheld oppressive structures. However, the Center’s early leadership soon realized the importance of expanding its vision to bring women’s perspectives into the fold. In 1984, the group formally and legally transitioned into the Center for Nonviolence, prioritizing the voices and oversight of women within their programs.
“We began to talk about the system — how the oppression isn’t just a partner,” Beth says. “It’s all the services that you’re going to need to leave [an abusive situation]…that aren’t designed to be accessible to you.”
One hallmark of the Center’s philosophy and work was its early adoption of the
Duluth Model, a community-based framework developed in Duluth, Minnesota. At its core was the Power and Control Wheel, a tool originating from the lived experiences of survivors to map the dynamics of abuse. Before this, survivors’ voices weren’t necessarily taken into account. Per Beth, it was the model’s originator, Ellen Pence, who had the “brilliant idea of listening to women.” Out of those stories came the
Power and Control Wheel.
Much of the Center’s approach mirrored the Duluth Model’s emphasis on liberation through dialogue and education.
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Center for Nonviolence, 235 W Creighton Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46807“The work with [abusers] was never envisioned as therapy,” John says. “It was always seen as dialogue and awakening.”
By asking questions like, “What was your intent?” and “What could you have done differently?” facilitators invited participants into a process of critical thinking rather than prescribing moral judgments.
The Center’s women’s advocacy work also provided survivors a platform to
shift from isolation to empowerment.
“We began educating them so they didn’t feel powerless,” Beth reflects. “[Instead] they realized, ‘Oh, there’s a system out here that’s really difficult to navigate.’”
Seeing the firsthand difference the model made in communities like Fort Wayne, the Beams were eager to expand its influence. For several years, the couple traveled across the United States and even abroad to places such as Portugal and remote places such as Saipan to bring the Duluth Model there. They brought these critical thinking tools to a wide range of audiences, from probation officers to community advocates.
While the Beams have long stepped back from the Center’s day-to-day operations, their vision of a world grounded in equality, equity, inclusion, and liberation hasn’t wavered. Their advice to those taking up the mantle is to be authentic and resilient in the face of change.
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Brandon Islas Gutierrez and Olive Rusk attend outreach events like the Di´a del Nin~o.“Find a way to reach out to people who share [our goals],” John says. “We can’t keep using the same language of the 1970s and 80s…but how can we find language of liberation that can be heard by [other groups]?”
The Center’s Rebecca Parker and Dawn Witte take that charge seriously. Parker serves on the marketing development team, a role that allows her to engage the community to share the organization’s work. Witte, part of the executive director team, emphasizes the Center’s unique leadership model that’s rooted in power-sharing principles.
“We are a collective,” she says. “So we don't have an executive director. We have a team of people who fulfill that role.”
When it comes to engagement, the demand for the Center’s services has only grown in recent months. As Parker shares, the organization’s Support and Advocacy program has served 500 clients already in 2025. This is 30% above projections. Virtual services, adopted during the pandemic, have allowed the Center to expand its reach. Still, Parker notes that most of the focus is still in Allen County, especially for specialized, in-person support groups. These programs cater to survivors of domestic violence and other forms of violence.
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The Center’s Maria Hogle works in youth violence prevention.This is timely, as
intimate partner violence increases by 12 percent in the summer months compared to other seasons. The Center serves clients year-round and has weathered some uncertain times recently. In the face of a challenging funding landscape, Parker and Witte emphasize how the Center’s community has become both a lifeline and a source of hope.
“We [receive] about 70% of our funding [from] government grant sources,” says Witte. “But this year, we've actually taken in more than we ever have from individual donors. 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.”
Beyond structure and programming, the original values still pulse through the Center’s work.
“Nonviolence takes more than good intentions, “Parker says. “It requires real shared power, real community accountability, interpersonal accountability, and a true…commitment to confronting all forms of violence and oppression. [That’s what] this work is based in, and how it thrives and survives.”