We were privileged recently to be able to spend a couple of hours with John Guingrich, President and CEO of The League. We had a detailed discussion of The League’s many services, accomplishments, and future plans. We also received a tour of the South Anthony Boulevard facility, meeting many staff members along the way.

Fort Wayne is a city blessed with many top-quality, non-profit organizations. The League is one of the best of the best, serving the area for over 70 years. John Guingrich has skillfully steered, and indeed is still steering, the organization through a difficult period of governmental contraction at all levels.

As with many Fort Wayne non-profits, The League serves several northeast Indiana counties, eleven in total. Programs such as ILS (Independent Living Services), Deaf Link, Home Care Plus, and the Inclusion Institute impact more than 3,000 area residents on a one-to-one basis annually. In addition, there are nearly 10,000 people annually who use The League’s information and referral services.

However, many more need to be served as traditional social safety nets disappear. A 2017 study estimated that there are nearly 100,000 disabled individuals in the service area.

For those who aren’t familiar with it, the Inclusion Institute is a very forward-looking program that trains disabled individuals to be leaders in the community. To date, 34 people have completed the eight-month, 40-hour curriculum. Thirty graduates have been placed on state-level boards and commissions.

Both of our mothers benefited from The League’s services for the blind. We are forever in their debt. Please join us in supporting this wonderful and badly needed community and area asset.

Douglas M. and Joni Wood Lehman

Fort Wayne