FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A new survey focusing on community barriers to inclusion is now available in multiple languages to ensure more individuals can access the survey.
All languages are now available through SurveyMonkey:
• English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FortWayneGateway
• Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FortWayneGatewaySpanish
• Burmese: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FortWayneGatewayBurmese
Survey respondents must be 18 years or older.
In partnership with Amani Family Services, Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., and Downtown Fort Wayne, the Gateways for Growth (G4G) Community Survey was released last month to support future planning. Nearly 500 respondents have submitted a response since the survey launched on June 15; so far 56% of respondents were born outside of Fort Wayne.
In an effort to supplement the findings from the English version of the survey, the community survey is now available online in Spanish and Burmese to support the city’s most prevalent foreign languages. The survey data will complement the findings from the G4G technical assistance team and ensure that all community members can voice their opinion.
Inclusive methods such as focus groups and one-on-one interviews are planned for foreign-born individuals to ensure they are fairly represented.
“Amani has been dedicated to advancing priorities around welcoming and inclusion for the past 17 years as an agency,” Amani CEO Ewelina Connolly said. “This survey allows us to amplify the voices of those we serve and care about. We view this as an opportunity to make an incredible impact on our community.”
All three organizations began working on a year-long initiative called the Gateways for Growth Challenge at the end of 2022 after Fort Wayne received funding and technical assistance from the American Immigration Council and Welcoming America to research the barriers and opportunities for immigrants and refugees throughout the city. The data will aid core partners in composing a strategic community plan to address the concerns surrounding accessibility and equity.
Downtown Fort Wayne and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. received a portion of funding for G4G from St. Joseph Community Health Foundation to offset the organizations’ matching efforts. ###
About the American Immigration Council
The American Immigration Council works to strengthen America by shaping how America thinks about and acts towards immigrants and immigration and by working toward a more fair and just immigration system that opens its doors to those in need of protection and unleashes the energy and skills that immigrants bring. The Council brings together problem solvers and employs four coordinated approaches to advance change—litigation, research, legislative and administrative advocacy, and communications. In January 2022, the Council and New American Economy merged to combine a broad suite of advocacy tools to better expand and protect the rights of immigrants, more fully ensure immigrants’ ability to succeed economically, and help make the communities they settle in more welcoming. Follow the latest Council news and information on ImmigrationImpact.com and Twitter @immcouncil. Visit Americanimmigrationcouncil.org to learn more.
About Welcoming America
Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. We believe that all people, including immigrants, are valued contributors and vital to the success of our communities and shared future. Through the Welcoming Network, we work to help communities develop the roadmap they need to create welcoming policies and share new approaches to inclusion to create an environment where everyone can truly thrive. Learn more at WelcomingAmerica.org.
About Amani Family Services
Amani Family Services is a local nonprofit organization serving more than 2,000 individuals from around the world. Learn more about Amani Family Services at AmaniFamilyServices.org.
About Downtown Fort Wayne
Downtown Fort Wayne partners with various public, nonprofit, and private sector organizations to make Downtown Fort Wayne an attractive place to live, work and play. Downtown Fort Wayne’s mission is to advance Downtown Fort Wayne as the vibrant, urban core of northeast Indiana. For more information about Downtown Fort Wayne, go to DowntownFortWayne.com.
About Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne Inc. is the single point of contact for economic growth and business services in Fort Wayne – Allen County, Indiana. We focus on supporting local business, attracting new business, and improving our community’s quality of place to grow jobs, wages, and the economy. Go to GreaterFortWayneInc.com to learn more.