Jan 05 2026
We welcomed Olivya and her daughters home, celebrated an incredible year for recycling, and more happenings at Habitat GFW this December.
1 of 6 Awarded Nationwide
Habitat GFW was one of six organizations across the country to be awarded a $10,000 Dollarwise Innovation Grant at the 94th United States Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting. This grant will help support our ongoing partnership with FWCS Career Academy, encouraging students to explore opportunities in our local trades and strengthening pathways to good-paying careers while advancing economic mobility in our community.
Thank you, Mayor Sharon Tucker, for your continued support of this program, Habitat families, and for representing Fort Wayne in Washington D.C.
Watch Mayor Tucker’s Speech
Mayor Tucker introduced at: 11 minutes, 27 seconds
How the Dollarwise Grant Will Support Students
The DollarWise Innovation Grant has jump-started fundraising to support one Career Academy student who will represent Fort Wayne at the global SkillsUSA competition in China in 2026.
Each year, the FWCS Career Academy Construction Trades hosts a Regional SkillsUSA student construction competition. The event is free for guests and supporters to attend. It draws around 50 students competing in Carpentry, Masonry, Cabinetmaking, Electrical, Sheet Metal, Plumbing, and Team Works. These students represent the future workforce for this region. Attendees can recruit and join in the excitement as we see which students will place in the top five of their contests and move on to the State SkillsUSA competition.
12 Habitat Homes
To date, FWCS Career Academy students have helped build 12 Habitat GFW homes for local families while learning trade skills.
About FWCS Career Academy
The Career Academy was established in the 1970s and supports high school students throughout Allen County by providing hands-on, career-focused education in skilled trades. Managed by Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS), the Academy offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to develop technical skills, gain professional experience, and earn college credits while completing their high school education.
Students apply during their sophomore year, and if accepted, attend the Academy in their junior and senior years. Instruction is provided by adjunct instructors who are industry professionals, ensuring students gain practical, real-world training. Through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, participants earn dual college credits, giving them a strong academic and workforce foundation upon graduation.
Career Pathways
The Career Academy offers six main areas of study, each aligned with high-demand career fields in Northeast Indiana:
- Carpentry
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Masonry
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Each pathway combines classroom instruction, hands-on experience, and opportunities for industry-recognized certifications, preparing students for direct entry into the workforce or further technical education.