About Us
The Great KIDS make Great COMMUNITIES initiative began in 1999 as a project of Allen Superior Court, Family Relations Division. In its infancy, Great KIDS experimented with ways to spread the message of positive youth development and strengths-based approaches to working with youth. Great KIDS signed on to the 40 Developmental Assets from Search Institute after reviewing the extensive research supporting the message. Great KIDS now offers a library of positive youth development resource materials available for loan.
In 2004, the Great KIDS offices relocated from the historic Journal-Gazette building to the Allen County Courthouse. At that time, the Great KIDS Community Advisory Board was expanded to better reflect the face of the Allen County community and its youth and family-serving agencies. For a list of our community advisory board members, click here.
In 2020, Great KIDS joined forces with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne and moved into their administrative building as an independent entity managed by the YMCA.
With the 40 Developmental Assets as its key tool, Great KIDS make Great COMMUNITIES uses these three strategies to improve the lives of youth in Allen County:
Train youth workers in positive youth development concepts
Support the work of youth-serving organizations
Create household recognition for the 40 Developmental Assets
In this way, Great KIDS seeks to multiply its influence by supporting and training the agencies and workers directly responsible for impacting the lives of youth and families.