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Apr 26
1 min

"Fort Wayne funders and nonprofits share innovations in 'essential' systems during COVID-19" 3.31.21

“This pandemic has opened my eyes to how weak the infrastructure is for the very fundamental needs we all have as humans,” Rinehart says....

Apr 26
1 min

"Will Electric Works be an 'inclusive' development in Fort Wayne?" 3.17.2021

“I’d love to see a project that’s incredibly diverse and progressive come to this community, but the realities in making that happen take...

Mar 13
1 min

"Questa Legacy Fund Request Denied" 3.11.2021

"In other business, the Legacy Joint Funding Committee welcomed several new members and reelected Turpin as the body's president. In...

Jan 31
1 min

"&Good Company with Sara Fiedelholtz" 1.22.21

A conversation with Melissa Rinehart about what gets her up in the morning. To watch click here.

Jan 31
1 min

"Lingering Effects" 1.24.21

"Melissa Rinehart, 50, tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-October after enduring what she thought was a sinus infection. The executive...

Nov 5, 2020
1 min

"Fitting Legacy" 10.16.2020

"Council voted unanimously Tuesday to select Jehl and Tucker as council appointees to the nine-member Legacy committee, and also learned...

Sep 1, 2020
1 min

"Advancing Voices of Women Call for More Appointments of Women to Public Office" 8.25.2020

"The group will highlight more than 40 profiles of qualified women and invite more women to submit theirs. AVOW has pledged to provide...

Sep 1, 2020
1 min

Local Women Chosen for Democratic Leadership Program" 8.12.2020

"Melissa Rinehart of Fort Wayne has been selected for the third class of Hoosier Women Forward, a leadership program for Democratic...

Jul 4, 2020
1 min

"Melissa Rinehart, Executive Director, Wellspring Interfaith Social Services" May, 2020

"...It's hard to think that the chapter title in her life story for the past decade should be The Accidental Activist. Her ascension to...

Apr 13, 2020
1 min

Wellspring on Wheels is Positively Fort Wayne 4.13.20

"'We’re going to go where the need is. I’m exploring other areas of the city. There’s no area that’s exempt from COVID-19 when it comes...

Apr 5, 2020
1 min

COVID-19 is calling attention to food insecurity in Fort Wayne—and inspiring solutions 4.1.2020

In addition to the efforts that school systems have made to serve their students during COVID-19, nonprofits like Wellspring Interfaith...

Nov 24, 2019
1 min

"Council Votes to Recognize Native American Heritage During the Month of November" 11.20.2019

Cultural Anthropologist, Melissa Rinehart said celebrating Anthony Wayne was not the whole problem. “I have no problem with celebrating...

Nov 24, 2019
1 min

"City to Recognize Native Americans" 11.20.2019

"...on n Tuesday, Melissa Rinehart, a Native American history consultant for the Fort Wayne History Center, challenged Gaff's expertise....

Nov 24, 2019
1 min

"Fort Wayne to Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month" 11.20.2019

Historical accuracy was the hot topic at Fort Wayne City Council on Nov. 19 as councilmen considered a resolution that would celebrate...

Nov 12, 2019
1 min

"Horn of Unplenty" 10.29.2019

There are far too many people in our community experiencing food insecurity and far too much food waste. Reconciling this disparity...

Oct 27, 2019
1 min

"A City of Refuge Steps Forward in Trying Times" 10.27.2019

Since the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program began in 1980...“there has not been one lethal terrorist attack committed by a refugee who...

Sep 20, 2019
1 min

"Welcoming Fort Wayne's Diversity Awards Highlights Need for New Residents" 9.20.2019

Midway through the second annual event, Melissa Rinehart of Welcoming Fort Wayne and Wellspring Interfaith spoke of the exceptional work...

Sep 3, 2019
1 min

"Wellspring on Wheels" 9.3.2019

It is a food bank on wheels, and this morning it made a stop to some of the people that need it the most.

Jul 17, 2019
1 min

"The View from Here" 7.17.2019

This is what it looks like when the passion for your work trumps your fear of heights.

Mar 6, 2019
1 min

"Where Can You Find Authentic Ethnic Food in Fort Wayne?" 3.6.2019

What does diversity look like in Fort Wayne? It depends on how you define it, of course.

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In the News

Melissa Rinehart,PhD