about us
OUR HISTORY
The Franciscan Center, Inc., was founded in 1989 by Sally Ley and the late Jean Kelly as a homeless shelter an sack lunch program. The worldwide Secular Franciscan Order however, was founded over 800 years ago by St. Francis of Assissi, and was the inspiration for the St. Charles Fraternity in Fort Wayne to create the Franciscan Center. Over the years, the Franciscan Center has changed to serve the needs of the community.
At the Franciscan center, while all programs are overseen by a small staff the true heart and soul of the organization is our comprehensive network of dedicated volunteers. Over 4,300 individuals contribute more than 9000 hours to the center each year and are instrumental to the success of our programs. Volunteers range in age from five to eighty-five, but all have one thing in common: they lend their neighbors a helping hand whenever possible, and help to create blessings in the lives of others.
OUR staff
Sally Ley
Founder
Molly Barile
Office Manager
Tony Ley
Executive Director
Nola Norton
Sack Lunch Manager
Lynne Finley
Thrift Store General Manager
Grant Norton
Facilities Support
OUR board
Dan Carteaux
President
Sally Ley
Member
Jan Scher, OFS
Member
Lee Tobin
Vice President
Tony Ley
Member
Christopher Stroud
Member
Stanley M. Koehl
Treasurer
Mary Lou Sohn, OFS
Member
Matt Wilson
Member
Sarah Wladecki
Secretary
Tricia Bugajski
Member
Rick Ley
Member