Rising Stars

09/07/2026

A reminder we will be closed Monday September 7th, in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. Have a wonderful long weekend and be safe!

09/05/2026

It wasn’t the voice coming through the drive-thru speaker that caught my attention that August morning. It was the laughter coming from the car in front of me. Through an open window, a woman called out, “Eight times six!” A young voice quickly fired back an answer. “Now, don’t get ahead of me,” she laughed. Then came another multiplication problem. Another answer. More laughter.

In a place where most of us are thinking about what we ordered, checking our phones or hurrying to the next stop, a mother and son had turned a few ordinary minutes in the drive-thru into something completely different. They were doing math. And they were having an absolute blast!

The voices belonged to Ashanti and her son, Leyland, a fifth grader at Study Elementary School. Ashanti, who also works as a substitute with Fort Wayne Community Schools, said the two were simply on their way to grab a quick breakfast.

Like many kids, Leyland had his phone with him and was watching a video. There was a lot of noise coming from the screen, and Ashanti decided it was too much for first thing in the morning. So, she asked him to put it away and challenged him instead: How well did he really know his multiplication facts? The twos, threes and fours came pretty easily. Others needed a little more work. And somewhere along the way, practicing multiplication facts became fun.

Ashanti knows technology can be an incredible tool, but she also believes there are times to log off and give children space to think, talk and learn. So, she did just that. What was happening in that car was about more than multiplication facts. Leyland was discovering that what he learns at school matters at home. He was learning that his mom was interested in what he knew, excited about what he was learning and willing to spend a few ordinary minutes helping him get better.

Because sometimes the best tutor a child can have is a parent who turns off the noise, asks the question and makes the answer worth celebrating.

09/05/2026

THE TIME IS HERE!! September Hunger Action Month! Associated Churches has seen 33,569 children visit our food pantries in the last year, that is 33% of our clients that were served in 2025.

This month we are asking for your help in providing meals and hope for these children. How can you help? Organize a food drive, help us spread the word, stop by our office and drop some non-perishable food items, don't have time to shop go online and donate!

Click here to donate! https://www.associatedchurches.org/donate

09/03/2026

Are you looking to practice some teamwork with your student in grades 3-5 in the kitchen? FWCS Trailblazers is hosting a Families in the Kitchen event on Wednesday, September 16, from 5:30-7:15 p.m at the Jackson R. Lehman Family YMCA. Parents and students will work together to learn a simple recipe from Laurie Beck that families can recreate at home. This fun event has limited spots available. Contact Denita Washington at (260) 467-7303 to register today.

09/03/2026

HAPPY THURSDAY! We are reaching out as our program A Baby's Closet is in need of size 5 & 6 diapers (no 360 waist please) and size 2T-3T pull-ups. If you’re too busy to shop and would like to help, we have an ABC Baby Registry on Amazon. Please click the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/2Q6KUSQVBNIHO...

Thank you!

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

Labor of Love Service Day at Associated Churches packing food for the Neighborhood Food Network

08/29/2026

Our Do Small Things Together Material Drive is back!

In honor of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s Feast Day on September 5th, Catholic Charities invites you to support local charities by donating small essentials that make a big difference for our most vulnerable neighbors. Items will be distributed to St. Vincent de Paul Society - Fort Wayne, Miss Virginia's Food Pantry, Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County's A Baby's Closet, and .

From Aug. 29- Sept. 6, you can drop off new items in Catholic Charities’ blue donation barrels at participating churches:
🧼 St. Joseph, Lagrange
👶 St. Aloysius, Yoder
🍎 Saint John Bosco, Churubusco
🧴 St. Mary of the Assumption, Avilla
🍼 St. John the Baptist, Fort Wayne
🌽 St. Joseph, Fort Wayne
🧻 St. Mary of the Assumption, Decatur
🍞 Our Lady of Good Hope, Fort Wayne
🪥 St. Charles Borromeo, Fort Wayne
🍝 St. Louis Besancon Catholic Church, New Haven
🍴Most Precious Blood, Fort Wayne
🪮 St. Patrick, Arcola
🍊Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne
🍇 Immaculate Conception, Ege
🚿 Immaculate Conception, Auburn

Learn more: https://www.ccfwsb.org/events/do-small-things-together