top of page

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

community sponsors

Indiana

News Center

Charlie Tippmann

Foundation

Lutheran

Foundation

Mary Cross Tippmann

Foundation

Russett

Design

English Bonter Mitchell

Foundation

bottom of page