FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Roughly six months after the city of Fort Wayne paused the work of Fort Wayne UNITED , including the Ten Point Coalition, leaders with the group said Friday they are in fundraising mode as they reorganize into a 501(c)3 non-profit.
“We know that we will be successful in this new endeavor, but it does make it more challenging than it was,” said steering committee member Karl Einolf, President of Indiana Tech.
Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker said she wished the group well. (Watch her full statement below.)
The group originated as an initiative by the late Mayor Tom Henry. Its three pillars consist of Black Male Achievement through mentorships, creating cross-cultural conversations through United Front, and lowering violent crime in the Oxford neighborhood through patrols and relationship-building by the Ten Point Coalition.
The group has been credited with a 73% reduction of crime in that area.
Only United Front has continued programming as the group detaches from the city, which provided payroll for the three full-time leadership positions of the group.