Fort Wayne Media Collaborative

03/31/2025

Imagine receiving calls and letters every week from businesses pressuring you to sell your home. This is the reality for homeowners in Fort Wayne, where the affordable housing market is being drained by investors, leaving families scrambling to find a place to live.

In places like Fort Wayne, some families are spending up to 70% of their income just to cover rent, while corporations scoop up homes meant for first-time buyers. The results? Skyrocketing prices, fewer homes for families, and a growing rental market controlled by investors.

Want to know how this is affecting local communities and what can be done about it?

Visit fwmediacollaborative.com to read the full article, written by Gabi Lorino, about how real estate investors are reshaping our neighborhoods and possible solutions.



https://fwmediacollaborative.com/investors-drain-the-affordable-housing-market-and-inflate-prices/

03/28/2025

About 30% of households in Allen County are renters, and rent prices have grown dramatically in recent years. Back in 2010, the average monthly rent was $668, and it grew a small percentage each year, between 1% and 3%, until it rose 13% in 2020. By 2023, the average monthly apartment rent was $1,022. Rental homes ran more expensive, growing about 5% per year from 2013 until 2021, when it increased by 9% per year in 2022 and 2023.

Where does that leave a population that hasn’t seen a 30% increase in pay in that timeframe?

To read the full article written by Gabi Lorino, visit fwmediacollaborative.com

https://fwmediacollaborative.com/fort-wayne-locals-agree-housing-prices-are-too-high/

03/18/2025

In this powerful conversation, Cassie Beer of the Women's Fund of Greater Fort Wayne and Ilse Knecht from the Joyful Heart Foundation share their focus on tackling the r**e kit backlog in Indiana. They discuss the need for mandatory testing of all newly collected kits and ensuring that victims have the right to know the status of their kit. This ongoing effort is crucial to giving survivors the justice they deserve and addressing systemic issues that have hindered progress.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.

For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

**eKitBacklog

03/18/2025

Cassie Beer from the Women's Fund of Greater Fort Wayne and Ilse Knecht from the Joyful Heart Foundation discuss the journey of passing Indiana House Bill 1413, which focuses on eliminating the r*pe kit backlog in Indiana. Hear about the bipartisan support for this critical issue, the challenges faced, and the key role that committed lawmakers have played in pushing this bill forward.

Discover how tackling this issue is not only a matter of justice but also a smart financial investment for communities.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.
For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

**eKitBacklog **eKitBacklog

03/18/2025

In this critical Collaborative Corner conversation, Cassie Beer, Director of the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne, and Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation, discuss the impact of Indiana House Bill 1413, a bill that would establish a R*pe Kit Backlog Fund to help eliminate untested r*pe kits and bring justice to survivors of sexual violence. They explain how testing these kits not only helps prosecute serial r*pists but also sends a powerful message to both survivors and offenders.

Listen to learn why this bill is vital for justice, accountability, and healing in the fight against sexual violence.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.

For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

**eKitBacklog **eKitBacklog

03/18/2025

Cassie Beer, Director of the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne, and Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Joyful Heart Foundation, discuss the shocking realities of sexual assault in Indiana. From ranking 4th in the nation for high school r*pe to the alarming backlog of untested r*pe kits, they dive deep into the systemic barriers survivors face. They also highlight the urgent need for legislative action, including removing the statute of limitations for sexual crimes.

Listen to understand the full scope of this crisis and the vital steps needed for justice.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.

For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

**eKitBacklog **eKitBacklog

03/18/2025

In this Collaborative Corner episode, we speak with Cassie Beer, Director of the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne, and Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation, about the deeply concerning issues of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse in Indiana. They dive into the stark realities that survivors face, from underreporting to barriers in accessing justice and care, including the shocking number of untested r*pe kits.

This conversation sheds light on the pressing need to address these crimes and provide survivors with the support they deserve.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.

For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

**eKitBacklog

03/17/2025

In this eye-opening Collaborative Corner episode, we hear from Cassie Beer, Director of the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne, and Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation, as they dive into the pressing issue of sexual violence in our community. They discuss alarming statistics, the challenges survivors face in accessing care, and how their organizations are working to make the system more supportive and accessible.

Listen to learn how they’re improving the local system of care for survivors and ensuring they can access the resources they need to heal.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.

For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

03/17/2025

In this segment of The Collaborative Corner, Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation, shares the foundation's powerful journey. Founded by actress and advocate Mariska Hargitay in 2004, Joyful Heart focuses on helping survivors of sexual violence heal and reclaim joy in their lives. Ilse discusses the foundation’s efforts, including raising awareness, advocating for survivor rights, and the nationwide initiative to address the shocking r*pe kit backlog. With over 1.4 million untested r*pe kits in the U.S., Joyful Heart has launched its Six Pillar campaign to ensure these kits are tested and that this issue never happens again.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.

For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

03/17/2025

In this clip, Cassie Beer, Women's Fund Director of the Women's Fund of Greater Fort Wayne, shares insights on the mission and goals of the organization. Launched in 2020, the Women's Fund works to create lasting systems-level change in the community by focusing on upstream solutions. These include conducting research, advocating for better policies, and educating the public on issues affecting women and girls. Cassie discusses the organization's focus on economic security, workplace safety, and personal safety, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems. She also highlights the connection between the Women's Fund and the Joyful Heart Foundation, particularly in addressing domestic violence in Allen County.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.

For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

03/17/2025

The Collaborative Corner is back with a new episode!

TW: This content discusses material (references to domestic violence, SA, r*pe, etc.) that may be upsetting or potentially cause individuals significant distress.

Join us for a conversation with Cassie Beer, Director of the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne, and Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation, as we discuss the ongoing efforts to combat sexual violence and the critical issue of the r**e kit backlog in Indiana. They dive into how advocacy, legislative action, like House Bill 1413 being introduced in Indiana, and community support are essential in creating lasting change for survivors.

Learn about the progress being made, the challenges ahead, and how you can join the movement to ensure justice for all survivors.

Check out the latest episode on our YouTube channel to watch the full episode.

For more information visit fwmediacollaborative.com

https://youtu.be/HJXneHJPsWY

In this episode, Cassie Beer, Director of the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne, and Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Founda...

12/04/2024

How Does PFW’s New Student Housing Fit Into Purdue’s Master Plan and Student’s Needs?

On October 29th, Purdue Fort Wayne broke ground on their newest student housing option – a 600-bed, 213,000-square-foot apartment building by Ginsberg Hall on the North Campus. The $90 to $100 million project is being constructed in partnership with Gilbane Development Company.

In 2024, PFW entered into a public-private partnership with Gilbane to develop and manage the housing project. It’s not the first university to do so.

The new facility, which is expected to open to students August 2026, represents a long-planned step forward for PFW under the university’s 2018 master plan, created following the campus’ split from Indiana University. Prior to 2018, the university operated under the guidance of both Purdue University and Indiana University.

The plan centered on growing PFW’s total enrollment to 15,000 full time students, nearly double the school’s class size at the time, over 30 years. PFW has had an overall decrease in enrollment for over a decade – going from 14,000 students in the 2021- 2022 school year to less than 9,000 enrolled in the fall 2022 semester. In order to counteract this fall and encourage growth, the plan cited a need for a “programmatic paradigm shift”.

To read the full article written by Dezaray Clawson, visit the link in our bio or head to fwmediacollaborative.com.