One year ago, on January 23, 2024, Amani Family Services in partnership with Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. and Downtown Fort Wayne launched the Welcoming Plan - a 3-5 year roadmap crafted by community leaders to create a place where immigrants and refugees feel welcome, valued, and included. Over the past year, these leaders have continued to make progress that strengthens our community. While there is more to accomplish, today, we celebrate the strides we've made together. Click the "read more" button below to check out our wins!

Special thanks to our supportive partners: Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, the Richard D. Waterfield Charitable Fund, the Richard Dallas & Marni McKinney Waterfield Charitable Fund, and the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation.

Jessica is a senior at Indiana Tech, where she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice on a pre-law track. Jessica takes great pride in being the first in her family to go to college and pursue a law degree. In her free time, she enjoys slowing down and surrounding herself with the people she loves.

What excites you most about Amani's Mission?

Amani’s genuine passion and compassion for the immigrant and refugee community is what excites me the most. Their mission to partner with immigrant and refugee families and the community to promote safety, encourage personal growth, and foster a spirit of belonging, is everything I strive to be able to implement in my future career.

What is your favorite part of your internship?

My favorite part of my internship is how hands on and involved it is. I love being able to interact and practice the skills and tools I will be using in my future. I am truly being set up to success here at Amani..

Any advice for students looking for an internship at Amani?

Amani is an amazing place to intern at and filled with a supportive staff. If you are interested, I highly recommend reaching out as I am certain that the staff will be welcoming and willing to help. Be proactive, express your interest, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. It’s proven to be a great opportunity to learn and grow!

The Literacy Alliance, one of the largest providers of adult English Language Learners (ELL) programming in Allen County, is partnering with Arena Dinner Theatre to bring a unique theatrical production to Fort Wayne. From February 7-9, you can catch a bilingual production of Tomás and the Library Lady, a heartwarming play that celebrates the transformative power of stories and the joy of discovery through reading.

Based on the beloved book and a true story, Tomás and the Library Lady follows the young son of migrant farm workers as he shares his Papa Grande's cherished stories and encounters a kind librarian in Iowa who introduces him to the magical world of books. This celebration of reading, imagination, and creativity is one that English and Spanish speakers can enjoy together.

We partner with immigrant and refugee families and the community to promote safety, encourage personal growth, and foster a spirit of belonging.