Who We Are
Providing shelter and emergency housing for homeless Fort Wayne, IN families since 1999.
Our History
Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network was created in 1999 as a grassroots response to the need for emergency shelter for homeless families in our community. Modeled on national programs promoting family stability and self-sufficiency, Just Neighbors opened its doors to local families in November 2000.
Originally, Just Neighbors used available space in local churches to provide night-time shelter for families. Each morning, the families were transported to Just Neighbors’ Day Center in a small house in downtown Fort Wayne. The maximum daily capacity of the program was 14 individuals. In February of 2009, Just Neighbors moved to a new family center on State Street so that it could increase capacity to 40 clients and provide on-site services. Since 2007, Just Neighbors has more than doubled the number of families served annually. Today, Just Neighbors is the only local shelter in Fort Wayne providing emergency housing for homeless families.
When Just Neighbors was founded by concerned citizens and congregations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, other homeless shelters did exist in Fort Wayne, but none had the capacity to provide emergency shelter that would keep the entire family together. Homeless families had been forced to separate with the women and children in one location and men at a separate shelter. Just Neighbors' goal is to work with families to return them to self-sufficiency, keeping the family unit together throughout the process. The dignity and worth of each family are cherished hallmarks of the hospitality of Just Neighbors program.
Families have private rooms and share common space in the family center for the duration of their stay at Just Neighbors. While the previous model worked and served families very well, being able to remain in one location has made it easier on the families being served, especially the children. Host congregations still come to the family center to provide evening meals, fellowship, and programming for the families we know as our guests.
Please contact us to find out how your congregation or group can become a part of Just Neighbors Network of service!
Our Mission
Just Neighbors’ mission is to serve homeless families by uniting religious congregations, community volunteers and local agencies in a cooperative effort to provide shelter, meals, and compassionate, comprehensive professional support.
Our Videos
View our videos, A New Beginning, to meet three families who found help and hope at Just Neighbors, and A Future for Families, a short documentary featuring staff describing services and families sharing their stories.
Just Neighbors will work with all agencies that serve homeless and "working poor" families. By partnering with existing agencies and trained volunteers, Just Neighbors reduces the overall cost to the community-at-large.
Staff & Board
Joshua Gale, Executive Director
Joshua Gale is the executive director of Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network and the former chairman of the region's Planning Council on Homelessness. Before coming to Fort Wayne, he served as Executive Director of Lutheran Charities based out of Chicago. He has also worked in Philadelphia at Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries as a Mission Developer, and in Lima, Peru as the Executive Director of Castillo Fuerte--Casa de Misericordia. Joshua is dedicated to project development for the housing insecure and expanding organizations to serve the most vulnerable in our communities. He plays an active role on several boards, including Indiana's Continuum of Care, the Fort Wayne Eviction Task Force, the Youth and Family Homelessness board in the Balance of State, co-chaired the Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census, and was a founding member of the Business Advisory Committee for School of Business Concordia Chicago. Joshua holds a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Illinois State University, a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne and an MBA from Concordia University Chicago.
Abby Wiegand, Family Case Manager
Abby has been with Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network since July 2015. She accepted her current position in July 2019. Abby guides our client families through our shelter program, ensuring their success. Abby has a deep understand of the hurdles our families face and the resources available to assist them on their way to stability. She holds a degree in Human Services with a minor in Psychology from Indiana/Purdue For Wayne.
George Fields, Outreach Case Manager
George has been a social service worker since 1991 , with Fort Wayne Community School district and Fort Wayne Housing Authority before accepting his current role with our organization in 2021. He works with individuals and families who are seeking housing, trying to maintain housing, or who have lost housing and are seeking shelter. George engages with clients through outreach work at downtown congregations, agencies, and street outreach events. George holds a bachelor’s degree in General studies from IPFW.
Alisha Gil, Eviction Program Manager
Alisha previously worked with the City of Fort Wayne’s Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. With her experience and knowledge from the city, she joined the Just Neighbor’s Eviction Intervention team in July 2022, after the city’s rental assistance program closed. She now works under Director Shirley Rork with tenants, landlords, local courts, and social service agencies to prevent evictions.
Shirley Rork, Program Director
Over the last 15 years Shirley has worked with homeless families. Starting her career at Vincent Village. She began as the Family Case Manager at Just Neighbors in 2014. Moving to her current position in 2021. She works with tenants, landlords, local courts and social service agencies to prevent evictions. Advocating for the tenant and creating a plan for ongoing housing stability. She has extensive training in Fair Housing and local eviction laws. She holds a degree in Human Services from Ivy Tech.
Sheila Brown, Director of Finance and Development
Sheila has been employed with Just Neighbors since 2009 after volunteering for the organization since 2005. Her role with Just Neighbors is imperative to our long-term and daily operation. Sheila holds a bs degree in accounting from Manchester University and is incredibly skilled in financing and grant management. Additionally, she volunteers for Homebound Meals and enjoys spending time with her grand baby.
Program Staff
Angelicia Dickey, Residential Manager
Treasure Cone, Residential Manager
Gwen Owens, Residential Manager
Sharon Hogue, Residential Manager
William Rowles, Residential Manager
Sharon Smith, Residential Manager
Wonda Vertison, Residential Manager
Just Neighbors Board
Officers:
Susan Boyd, President, Rea Magnet Wire
Heather Mink, Vice President, Barnes & Thornburg
Tracey Selig, Treasurer, Blue & Co.
Kaitlin Weikart, Secretary, Bowen Health Clinic
Members:
Sherry Myers, Benson, Pantello, Morris, James & Logan, LLP
Veronica Sierra, Rea Magnet Wire
Sandra Villajos-Vidal, Rea Magnet Wire
Erica Woodward, Pure Intention Services
Meagan Hayes
Dan Sheie, Federated Media | Federated Digital Solutions
FAQs
How many people have you served?
Since 2000, we have served more than 2,000 people in our family shelter and thousands more in outreach programs. The majority of guests are children ranging in age from infants through high school. Adults range from age 18 to 60, although most are in their 20s or 30s. We are the only local emergency shelter providing housing for homeless families. Professional staff assist guests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
What do school-age children do while at the shelter?
All minor children attend their school while residing at the shelter. Fort Wayne Community Schools will assist with transportation for the students, if needed.
Do you offer tours of the shelter or speakers for programs?
We are pleased to provide a speaker for programs about homelessness and how the community can get involved. We can offer a tour of our shelter to small groups. Contact us for information.
What is the average length of stay in the shelter?
Our goal is to transition guests to stable housing and employment through participation in our program. Our average length of stay is 30 days, down from 40 days just last year, meaning we are connecting our residents to their next steps in life even faster than before.
Do your guests receive training?
Just Neighbors offers budgeting, job search, household management and other supportive services to help guests return to self-sufficiency.
How do volunteers help?
Annually, more than 800 volunteers from 30 local congregations provide volunteers as well as donations of food and other items that families need. Daily, volunteers prepare home-made meals, and share friendly conversation and after-dinner activities with our children and families.