FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A nonprofit that provides the gift of hearing is expanding into a new downtown space. GiveHear, formerly known as HearCare Connection, will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday, March 22 at 11:30 a.m. in their office at 130 West Main Street in Fort Wayne.
GiveHear serves low-income adults and under-served children in the community, providing audiology services and hearing aids on a reduced-fee, sliding scale basis to make hearing health care affordable.
“We are seeing an incredible number of people in our community go without hearing health care due to a lack of resources,” said Anna Bogdon, executive director of GiveHear. “We try to fill that gap, but there’s more to GiveHear than that. We also try to instill a ‘pay it forward’ attitude in the community.”
GiveHear uses a unique “Circle of Giving” model that relies on funding from grants, donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events. In return, the clinic’s patients are given the opportunity to give back to the community through volunteer hours.
Since starting operations in 2011, GiveHear has grown to serve more than 1,300 clients per year. The new office creates the opportunity to offer clinical services five days per week, potentially doubling GiveHear’s reach.
“We talk a lot about the ‘hearing smile’. It’s the smile that comes with a patient’s first connection to better hearing,” Bogdon said. “Many of them had given up hope of receiving any type of hearing support, and to see them live their best lives again is why we do what we do.”
GiveHear’s new office is located in the lower level of the Kitch building at 130 West Main Street, Suite 150 in Fort Wayne. The grand opening is open to the public and will begin at 11:30 a.m. on March 22, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for noon. Guests are invited to enjoy refreshments, tour the clinic, and learn more about the organization.
About GiveHear
GiveHear is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to providing the gift of hearing. Our hearing center provides hearing healthcare to low-income adults and under-served children in our community. It is our desire that no person is prevented from full participation in life due to hearing loss. We exist to build the self-worth of individuals by restoring their hearing potential and providing them with opportunities to engage with their communities through service to others. To learn more, visit www.GiveHear.org.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, as its primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement.
