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Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry has passed away after a brief battle with cancer.

AWS Foundation funds accessibility projects around area

AWS website

AWS Foundation awarded more than $1 million in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations in Fort Wayne and Allen County, benefitting people with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

The grants vary in size between organizations and will go to support specific programs for some and general financial stability for others.

For example, the Fort Wayne Ballet will use $15,000 for sensory-friendly performances. Purdue University Fort Wayne will receive $83,000 to upgrade tech and accommodations in the Disability Access Center.

AWS Foundation supports organizations and service agencies in northeast Indiana to develop a community in which people with enduring disabilities are engaged in all aspects of community life.

Grants went to the following organizations for the following projects:

  • Audiences Unlimited – $11,910 for adaptive theatre bridge programming for youth.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne - $31,500 to support the Y.E.S.S. program.
  • Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministries - $35,000 to create a plan for a developmental clinic pilot program.
  • Camp Red Cedar - $775,000 over three years to work toward financial sustainability.
  • Community Transportation Network(CTN) - $200,000 for operating support.
  • Fort Wayne Ballet - $15,000 for sensory-friendly performances.
  • Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority - $32,824 for a sensory room and adult changing station.
  • Indiana University Fort Wayne - $29,900 for the IUFW Judith Heumann Perspective project.
  • Lutheran Social Services - $105,000 over three years for LSSI Works.
  • Mustard Seed Furniture Bank - $25,000 for the home furnishings distribution program outreach.
  • Purdue University Fort Wayne - $83,000 to upgrade the tech and accommodations in the Disability Access Center.
  • Visually Impaired Preschool (VIPS) - $40,000 for early childhood intervention.
  • Wellspring Interfaith Services - $10,000 for the Older Adult Program.
  • YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne - $90,000 over two years for operating support.
Ella Abbott is a multimedia reporter for 89.1 WBOI. She is a strong believer in the ways audio storytelling can engage an audience and create a sensory experience.