Press release
FORT WAYNE – Amani Family Services’ Welcoming Fort Wayne initiative will recognize individuals and organizations building a more inclusive community at the annual Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards on Friday, Sept. 20, at 8:30 a.m.
The event will be held at the Ceruti Summit Room, 6601 Innovation Blvd., Fort Wayne. Admission is free, but online registration is required. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. and a light breakfast will be served.
Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving organizations and individuals for an award. Award nominations are open until Monday, August 26. Nomination forms can be downloaded here.
The Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards recognize the achievements of exceptional immigrants and refugees, as well as individuals, organizations and businesses from the Native community who have demonstrated a strong commitment to multiculturalism.
There are three categories:
Lifelong performer: Honors a veteran leader who has dedicated a significant portion of his career and volunteer work to the immigrant and refugee community. His efforts have profoundly impacted multiculturalism in Allen County for more than a decade.
Emerging market leader: Honors a newcomer to the multicultural community who has demonstrated exceptional resilience and commitment to improving the community and the lives of immigrant/refugee families through their emerging career or volunteer work.
Welcoming organization: Recognizes a for-profit or nonprofit organization that has demonstrated sustained efforts toward inclusion and hospitality through engagements with the refugee and immigrant community. In addition to its external efforts, the organization demonstrates multicultural representation at various levels of leadership and has taken the initiative to hire immigrants and refugees in Allen County.
“We all thrive when we feel a sense of belonging,” says Ewelina Connolly, CEO of Amani Family Services. “The Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards honor those who bridge the gap between immigrants, refugees and the broader community.”
Welcoming Week is a globally recognized celebration in which communities strive to be a more welcoming place for everyone, including immigrants and refugees.
In collaboration with several local community partners, Welcoming Week will feature events highlighting arts, education and local resources from Friday, September 13 through Saturday, September 21.
The full schedule of events for Welcome Week can be found here.
