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Who We Are

TRANSFORMING SOUTHEAST FORT WAYNE

Bridge of Grace is an asset-based community development organization. Our approach builds on the assets found in the community and mobilizes people to come together to realize their power and develop their strengths.

We have a philosophy of service. We believe that it is possible for people to break the cycle of poverty. We believe that communities and neighborhoods in southeast Fort Wayne can be restored and thrive again.

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photo of Javier and Annette Mondragon in front of the Bridge of Grace Ministries office sign

Our Foundation

Javier Mondragon aspired to create a ministry with an open door policy to the community after feeling that church doors were closed to him during his childhood in Mexico. In 2007, Javier and his wife, Annette, arrived in Fort Wayne and founded Many Nations Church, a multiethnic congregation in the low-income community of southeast Fort Wayne.
In 2012, Javier established Bridge of Grace Ministries, a faith-based community development organization empowering people to build on their God-given strengths and live life with purpose. Through holistic efforts, Bridge of Grace aims to break the cycle of poverty by building thriving and sustainable neighborhoods in southeast Fort Wayne. The non-profit supports southeast Fort Wayne residents by closing gaps of opportunity and creating access to resources they need and opportunities they deserve.
Vision
To break the cycle of poverty by building thriving and sustainable neighborhoods in southeast Fort Wayne.
Mission
We empower people to build on their God-given strengths and live life with purpose.
Purpose
We support southeast Fort Wayne residents by closing gaps of opportunity and creating access to resources they need and opportunities they deserve.

Our Path of HOPE

2007
2008
2009
2010
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2019
2020
2022
2023
2024

Javier & Annette Mondragon move to Mount Vernon Park (MVP)

Church Opens

Recession Hits

Adopt-a-Block Begins

Partnership with Levan Scott Academy leads to starting programs for elementary students after school – Hands on Homework

Bridge of Grace Ministries becomes a non-profit

Violence at the highest level in the neighborhood

Mount Vernon Park Neighborhood Association begins

Fellowship Missionary Church Collaboration

Home Safety Assessment Program

1st Neighborhood Listening Tour

First Home Renovation

First Summer Camps for Youth

BG hires first employees, a Community Development Director

First Pocket Park Opens in MVP

MVP Landscaping Launches

2nd Pocket Park Opens

Habitat for Humanity Partnership Breaks Ground on 1st new house in MVP in over 50 years

Early Years Initiative Starts

HOPE Unleashed Capital Campaign Kick-off

Celebrate 10 years of Bridge of Grace Ministries

Homeownership and Financial Literacy Classes Begin

HOPE Unleashed Capital Campaign Fully Funded

Early Years Academy Opens

Alliance Health Clinic Opens

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Bridge of Grace Staff

Meet the dedicated individuals who drive our mission forward. Our team at Bridge of Grace is passionate about making a positive impact in southeast Fort Wayne. Get to know the people behind our community-driven initiatives.
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Javier Mondragon
Founder & CEO
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Jacquelyn K. Walkup
Chief Financial Officer
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Kelli Packnett
Vice President, Education and Engagement
Sierra Du Bose
Sierra Du Bose
Programs Director
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Patricia Cordero
Office Manager/Executive Assistant
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Chris Minier
Senior Director of Facilities
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David De Leon
Property Construction Manager
Dennis Salazar
Dennis Salazar
Videographer/Grant Writer
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Allie Sutherland
Child Development Specialist
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Jennifer Platt
Fund Development Administrator
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Zuri Williams
Financial Assistant
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Julie Kistler
Programs Coordinator
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Gentel McGhee
MVP Landscaping General Manager
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Frank Lopez
MVP Landscaping Maintenance Coordinator
Jerry Westfall
Jerry Westfall
Housing Maintenance Coordinator
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Kristin Packnett
Marketing Coordinator

Board of Directors

Discover the leadership behind Bridge of Grace. Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in guiding our organization’s mission and vision for a brighter future in southeast Fort Wayne. Meet the dedicated individuals shaping our community’s progress.

Javier Mondragon – Bridge of Grace
Matthew Graves – President | Strahm Building Solutions
Rob Hayworth – Vice President | Summit Financial Group
Andy Binkley – Treasurer | Weigand Construction
Larry White – Secretary | Liberty Group Realty
Kathy Callen –  Old National Bank, retired
Palermo Galindo – Consultant and Community Advocate
Garry Hamilton – FWPD Community Relations Department
Steven Hays – Kimball Electronics, retired
Jeff Osterman – Sweetwater

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We’re Just Getting Started

As Bridge of Grace continues to grow, our commitment to southeast Fort Wayne remains unwavering. Great things are happening in Mount Vernon Park, but we are just getting started!

We invite you to join us as we transform our community one neighborhood at a time. Together we can break the cycle of poverty and close looming gaps of opportunity for our southeast Fort Wayne neighbors.

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Become a Partner in HOPE

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Stronger Together

Our community partners are committed to bringing HOPE to southeast Fort Wayne. Through their generous support, together we are serving families in Mount Vernon Park through initiatives promoting housing, opportunity, progress, and education.
Become a Supporter
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Bridge of Grace Ministries
909 Elmrow Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
(260) 744-4446
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Javier Mondragon

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

It started with a dream. During his childhood, Bridge of Grace’s founder, Javier Mondragon, felt that church doors were closed to him. This message was conveyed not only by the physical position of front doors and gates of church buildings, but also by the disposition of worshippers who would stroll silently past him and his friends to and from worship services. These silent congregants are the reason why, years later, Mondragon aspired to create a ministry whose participants would “open their doors” to community members and actively pursue opportunities to build up their neighbors with the gospel.

Pastor Javier holds a master of ministry degree from Olivet Nazarene University, is a professor of Community Development and Urban Ministries at Indiana Wesleyan University, and serves on various local and regional boards.

Jacquelyn K. Walkup

Chief Financial Officer

“I am passionate about empowering children and providing them with the tools they need to thrive and make a difference, they are our future. To join an organization who holds the same passion while supporting me in the utilization of my talents in my area of expertise is a gift, blessing, and privilege.”

Jacquelyn leads the Finance Team as their Financial Controller; she has over 21 years of experience in providing professional services across a broad range of finance areas including serving private companies in the accounting, legal, and finance sectors. Jacquelyn received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Legal Studies from Trine University and continually furthers her education in her continued leadership studies. Jacquelyn’s education and experience in the accounting, legal, and finance industries has prepared her to serve Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministries Center and to support their ongoing dedication, passion, and commitment to their communities.

Kelli Packnett

Early Childhood Development Director

“I taught across the street from Bridge of Grace at Levan Scott Academy for five years and I love the people of this community. I am excited to be a part of the Bridge of Grace team and bring research-based early learning programs to the community.”

Kelli has over 15 years of experience in education as a teacher and instructional coach in Title I schools. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a M.A. in Elementary Education from Ball State University.

Sierra Du Bose

Youth Programs Director

“I moved to the neighborhood 7 years ago and quickly began seeing the improvements that Bridge of Grace was making. It did not take long to know that this was something that I wanted to be involved in! A couple of years later I started working at Levan Scott Academy and got to see firsthand the ways that Bridge of Grace was improving the lives of the families there. Having the opportunity to step into this new role at Bridge of Grace is something about which I am excited. Helping to provide safe spaces after school and in the summer, where not only the students can make connections, but also the parents is something that I take pride in. The work at Bridge of Grace has just begun!”

Sierra graduated from Brown Mackie College and has an Associate’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Sierra has over 10 years of working with children with special needs and behavioral issues.

Patricia Cordero

Executive Assistant

“I grew up in the Mount Vernon Park neighborhood until I was about 20 years old. I have moved out of the neighborhood although I am a lifelong Fort Wayne resident and have had the opportunity to see the positive changes initiated by Bridge of Grace. I am excited to be a part of the team that is making my childhood neighborhood a better place for everyone.”

Patricia has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Purdue Fort Wayne.

Chris Minier

Operations Manager

“God placed a strong desire on my heart to move out of secular industry and into a ministry and/or not-for-profit organization. I am thrilled for the opportunity to work at Bridge of Grace. The work that the team has been doing at Bridge of Grace in the last ten years is so impressive. As someone that has only lived in Fort Wayne for a few years, I am also really excited to fully immerse myself in the local community and be a part of an organization making a difference.”

Chris graduated from Goshen College with a BS degree in Management Information Systems and is working on his Masters in Ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University. Chris has spent much of his previous career in Engineering and Leadership roles in the Recreational Vehicle industry and other manufacturing organizations.

David De Leon

Property Construction Manager

“As a young adult I lived in the Southeast side of Fort Wayne. I used to attend to Many Nations Church. In fact, this is the church where I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I have moved from the area, but the southeast side of town will always feel like home. I had the opportunity to be part of the first rehab houses when Bridge of Grace was just starting. I am excited to be part of Bridge of Grace. It gives me such a great joy to be part of a positive change in our community.”

David has an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Ivy Tech and has worked in construction for approximately 20 years.

Dennis Salazar

Videographer & Grant Specialist

“I knew Javier and the work of Bridge of Grace in 2016 when the dream was just beginning for Mount Vernon Park. When I ran into Javier later in 2023, I was immediately ‘Wowed!’ with all that was happening. I have worked in some non-profits in the past, but not at this level of hope and impact. My background is in writing, videography, and just thinking and inventing. I’m so glad I’m going to be able to use my skill sets to help achieve Bridge of Grace’s mission.”

Dennis has a B.A. from Taylor University. He has studied philosophy and has an ardent interest in foreign films and in understanding how stories are told for entertainment and impact.

Allie Sutherland

Child Development Specialist

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be at Bridge of Grace to serve children and families. The first five years of a child’s life are the most critical years. Giving children the best start is the key to strong communities and a brighter future for everyone. Working with children and families at this stage is a privilege and I am excited to support our youngest community members and their families.”

Allie graduated with a BA in Mathematics from Denison University after which she discovered her true passion was Early Childhood. Allie holds a Master of Science in Child Development from San Diego State University as well as a certificate in Early Childhood Social and Emotional Behavioral Intervention and is endorsed as an Infant Mental Health Mentor by the Alliance of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Allie has over 16 years’ experience in Early Childhood working as a preschool teacher, child development specialist, program manager of First Five First Steps, Early Childhood Coalition Coordinator and Community Engagement Specialist.

Jennifer Platt

Fund Development Administrator

“Working for Bridge of Grace and being able to witness firsthand the multiple ways the organization is the love of Christ in this community is amazing! I am so excited to be part of this organization and utilize my skills behind the scenes to assist in ministry being brought to the people in this neighborhood.”

Jennifer graduated from Huntington University with a B.A. in Communications. She has worked in the Not-for-Profit sector for over twenty years.

Zuri Williams

Financial Assistant

“I am a Fort Wayne native that returned home after leaving for 8 years. I worked in the school system where I got the vision to teach students about financial literacy through my own non-profit. I have always committed myself to giving back to the community through various functions, and being a part of Bridge of Grace community aligns with my goals of assisting with bettering everyone with their financial journey.”

Zuri earned her bachelor’s degree at Tennessee State University in Nashville followed by her doctorate degree from Howard University located in Washington, DC. She continued her education by obtaining her license as a tax professional and starting her own business preparing taxes. Zuri has over 5 years of experience working in finance and educating students on financial literacy.

Julie Kistler

Programs Coordinator

“My prayer is that our community will be strengthened together in the love of Christ. It is a wonderful privilege to work as a team with families, teachers, volunteers, and community workers to lay a solid foundation for our youth. We all want our youth to fulfill their God-given potential and live out the purposes God has for them.”

Julie has over 18 years of experience educating youth both in and out of school. She has led nature education programs, Vacation Bible School, and childcare programs. She was previously employed as an educational assistant at Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School and most recently, Homestead High School. Julie earned a BA degree in Physiology and a MSEd degree in Community Health Education from Southern Illinois University.

Jerry Westfall

Housing Maintenance Coordinator

“Jesus miraculously changed my entire life 12 years ago. Since then, I have been growing closer to him and doing what I can to serve, love, and be salt and light to others who have struggled in ways that I have struggled. I got connected to Bridge of Grace through my job at Redemption House. I now am working part time for Bridge of Grace. I love their mission! I pray that I can be a blessing to them as they are a blessing to southeast Fort Wayne.”

Kristin Packnett

Marketing Coordinator

“I began volunteering with Bridge of Grace in 2012. Now, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the team, serving in a creative capacity to help change the narrative of southeast Fort Wayne.”

Kristin has over 24 years of experience in marketing and communications working in sports, banking, retail, and the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from Oklahoma Baptist University.