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
Shirley Rork, Interim Executive Director
Over the last 15 years, Shirley has worked with homeless families and those in housing crises, first at Vincent Village. She then served as the Family Case Manager for Just Neighbors from 2014 until 2021 when she became Director of Eviction Intervention, then finally being promoted to Program Director in 2023. She continues her work with tenants, landlords, local courts and social service agencies to prevent evictions and to fundamentally change a system that is so often unfair to those in crisis. Advocating for our families and creating a plan for housing stability has been her ongoing passion. She has extensive training in Fair Housing and local eviction laws and holds a degree in Human Services. More than all that, she is the mother to four children and six grandchildren, who are her great loves in life.
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.
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.
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.
Program Staff
Treasure Cone, Residential Manager
Gwen Johnson, Residential Manager
Sharon Hogue, Residential Manager
Sharon Smith, Residential Manager
Wonda Vertison, Residential Manager
Valerie Abron, Residential Manager
Pelagie Kayitesi, Residential Manager
Carol Davis, Residential Manager
Just Neighbors Board
Officers:
Susan Boyd, President, Rea Magnet Wire
Heather Mink, Vice President, Barnes & Thornburg
Tracey Selig, Treasurer, The Amherst Group
Kaitlin Weikart, Secretary, Bowen Health Clinic
Members:
Sherry Myers, Marthas Closet and Well Grounded Cafe
Veronica Sierra, Rea Magnet Wire
Sandra Villajos-Vidal, Rea Magnet Wire
Meagan Hayes, Department of Veterans Affairs
Osvaldo Carrasco, Rea Magnet Wire
FAQs
How many people have you served?
Since 2000, we have served more than 3,000 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.