Indiana 211, a division of Indiana Family Social Services Administration dedicated to connecting individuals with essential community services, facilitated a town hall conversation with community leaders and organizations. Hosted in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne (CFGFW), the goal of this event was to strengthen access to nonprofit services for underserved populations, particularly immigrant and refugee communities.
The meeting, which took place on July 8, brought together nearly 100 key stakeholders to review the organizations that belong to Indiana 211 and identify any existing gaps in community-based services.
“By engaging in focused conversations, attendees had the opportunity to provide valuable input and strategies on how to fill these gaps and create solutions, utilizing the resources and support offered by Indiana 211,” said Brad Little, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.
The need for greater access to services, as highlighted in CFGFW’s Collaborate for Change report, has become increasingly evident, especially for immigrant and refugee populations. To address this issue, one of the key tactics identified was better usage and connectivity to Indiana 211.
“By leveraging data, this town hall aimed to explore the current gaps in the community, identify who was missing from the conversation, and collectively work towards providing improved access to these underserved populations,” Little added.
Indiana 211 recognized the need for increased access, which could only come from collaboration and partnerships.
“By bringing together community leaders, organizations, and individuals invested in the well-being of immigrant and refugee communities, this town hall sought to foster a collaborative environment where innovative ideas and effective strategies could be shared and implemented,” said Kevin Evans, Deputy Director of Indiana 211.
The town hall conversation was a platform for open dialogue, enabling participants to share their experiences, challenges and successes in serving underserved populations. Through this collective effort, Indiana 211 aimed to develop actionable plans that will enhance access to nonprofit services and create a more inclusive and supportive community for all.
For more information about Indiana 211, please visit the website at www.in211.communityos.org or explore CFGFW’s website at www.cfgfw.org to learn more about the Collaborate for Change report.
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About the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne does three things: help people make their charitable giving more impactful, connect funding to nonprofits through effective grantmaking, and provide leadership to address community needs to improve quality of life. The organization connects people and resources daily to build a more vibrant community. As of December 31, 2023, the Community Foundation held charitable assets of approximately $221 Million and awarded more than $10.6 million in charitable grants and scholarships throughout the same year. Since its formation in 1922, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $194 million in charitable grants.