The Basketball Court is Taking Shape

Collin Jester
Sep 10
2 min read

The base is ready, lines are marked, and the center is starting to take form. Next up: the three-point arcs and added artwork to finish it out.

A Room is Almost Ready for a Family

One of our residential rooms is close to being finished. All that remains is adding flooring, installing lights, and moving in the furniture.

We’re looking for volunteers to help us complete these final steps and get the space ready for its first family.

How You Can Jump In

Volunteer: join us for the last paint sessions on the court or help prep the next room.
Donate: your gift keeps us moving — whether it’s sealing the court or furnishing a room.
Wishlist Needs: twin bedding sets, lamps, framed prints, and mini-fridges.

Volunteer Link

Immigration Updates

USCIS Fee Changes

As of August 21, 2025, USCIS began enforcing new application fees under H.R. 1. Applications without the updated fees are now rejected. For example, Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewals now cost $275 for FY 2025.

More details from USCIS

Visa Integrity Fee Coming October 1

Beginning October 1, 2025, a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee will apply to applicants from non–visa waiver countries, including Mexico, India, and China. This will raise total visa costs to over $440.

Indiana House Bill 1531 Not Passed

A recent bill in Indiana, HB 1531, did not pass. The bill would have required local police forces to cooperate with ICE and penalized employers who hired immigrants with expired work authorizations. Its failure is an important update for immigrant families and advocates across the state.

Bill details from ACLU Indiana

Key Immigration Bills to Watch

Dignity Act of 2025 (H.R. 4393) – A bipartisan proposal that could reduce the green card backlog by 2035, raise per-country visa caps, and allow long-term applicants to expedite cases by paying $20,000. Read more
Laken Riley Act – Signed into law in January 2025, this requires mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with certain crimes and allows states to sue DHS if it doesn’t enforce detainers. Coverage from The Guardian

Events in the Community

Culture Fest: A Gathering of Neighbors

Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM Corner of Clay & Berry Streets, Downtown Fort Wayne

Kick off Welcoming Week with this vibrant community celebration! Enjoy live performances, an artisan & entrepreneur market, a resource fair, food trucks, and plenty of kids’ activities. A perfect opportunity to connect with neighbors from all walks of life.

Learn More & RSVP

Welcoming Week Fort Wayne

September 12–21, 2025 | Citywide

Fort Wayne joins cities across the country in celebrating Welcoming Week—a slate of multicultural programs designed to bring newcomers and long-time residents together. Events include workshops, legal clinics, library tours, family nights, and more.

View the Full Schedule

Questions? Want to Sponsor a Room?Call us at 260-800-1558 or email TheRefugeFW@gmail.com

You Make This PossibleEvery sponsored room brings a family closer to safety and belonging.

therefugefw.com Share this opportunity with a friend Want to feature your church, business, or organization? Reach out today!