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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

Contact the center

Center Address:

1015 E. Maple Grove Ave

Fort Wayne, IN 46806

or send postal mail to:

P.O. Box 10303

Fort Wayne, IN 46851-0303

 

Center Hours of Operation:

Office - Monday thru Thurs 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Medicine Cab - Wed 9-11 a.m.
Food Pantry - Tues & Thurs 9-11 a.m.
Sack Lunch Program - Sat - 8-10 a.m.

Center Phone: 260-744-3977

Center Email: 

contact@thefranciscancenter.org

VOLUNTEER at the center
Contact the family thrift stores

Three Family Thrift Store Locations:

  1. 4430 Coldwater Road
    Phone: 260-699-2955
    Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm

     

  2. Coliseum Corners, on Coliseum Boulevard between Clinton Street and Parnell Avenue.
    Phone: 260-699-2955
    Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm

     

  3. Corner of Getz & West Jefferson
    Phone: 260-699-2955
    Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm

 

Thrift Store Phone: 260-699-2955

Thrift Store Email:

FranciscanFamilyThrift@gmail.com

Thrift Store Hours of Operation:

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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It's everything about dignity

© 2024 The Franciscan Center

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