Photo Credit: Rolley Navarro
Two individuals and one organization were honored in September for their work to make Fort Wayne a community that welcomes everyone during the Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards.
Winners include: Dr. Charles L. Coats, Vanessa Escobar and The Literacy Alliance.
The Lifetime Achiever Award was presented to Dr. Charles L. Coats to honor his lifetime dedication to serving more than 1,200 people of color and other underserved populations receiving healthcare at Anthony Medical Associates health clinic. Coats is a family medicine specialist who has been practicing for 20 years.
Vanessa Escobar was honored with the Emerging Leader Award. Escobar is a fitness instructor who has inspired fellow immigrants to invest in their health and self-confidence. She received more than 20 nominations from her Zumba students
The Welcoming Organization Award was presented to Literacy Alliance. The organization’s Project Connect program is a free English Language Learning program that meets at various times throughout the week. The class utilizes real-life situations to help practice skills.
In addition to the awards, Mayor Tom Henry proclaimed September 15 as Welcoming Fort Wayne Day, and Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne President and CEO Brad Little announced the foundation has granted Amani Family Services over $200,000 for the next two years to strengthen its Welcoming Fort Wayne initiative and community advocacy efforts.
“We are happy to honor these individuals and organizations who have done so much to welcome and include immigrants and refugees in the Fort Wayne area,” said Ewelina Connolly, CEO of Amani Family Services. “Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards is an opportunity to celebrate the values that unite us as neighbors and makes our community more welcoming to all who call Fort Wayne home.”