News Release

FORT WAYNE — CONNECT Allen County, a “one-stop shop” community resource access center specializing in connecting people with available services, will join Bowen Center operations starting Jan. 1, 2025, at the request of the CONNECT Allen County Advisory Board.

CONNECT Allen County has been a “No Wrong Door” access center, easing the way for community resources and supports for 5,476 people since opening in April 2021. The organization’s employees work directly with people in need, helping them navigate the social services system to find support for food, housing, mental and physical healthcare, and other basic needs.

The organization’s current administrator, Choices Coordinated Care Solutions, Inc., announced in a letter on July 1, 2024, that it would end its role with CONNECT Allen County by the end of this year.

“It is with much thought and reflection that Choices has made the difficult decision to give notice to end our participation in CONNECT Allen County,” the letter read. “We believe the staff is doing remarkable work for the Allen County community.” Further, Executive Director Beth Hazen stated that the staff and community will be well served by Bowen Center taking over operations due to their long-standing presence in the Allen County community and commitment to the success of CONNECT Allen County.

After receiving the letter, the CONNECT Allen County Advisory Board began conversations with area organizations, including Bowen Center, about who might assume management of the organization. As Bowen Center became the focus of their inquiries, the board sent a letter requesting that the company assume control of CONNECT.

“The CONNECT Allen County Advisory Board believes that Bowen Center should take over all operations of CONNECT,” said the letter to Bowen Center, signed by the organization’s advisory board. “We believe that Bowen Center sees the value and impact that CONNECT Allen County has had in our community.”

Bowen Center agreed to assume responsibility for CONNECT Allen County in January 2025. Current employees will become Bowen Center employees.

“Clearly this community has benefited from the great work done by CONNECT Allen County over the last three years and Bowen Center wants to ensure those efforts are not lost,” said Dr. Rob Ryan, president, and CEO of Bowen Center. “Our plan is to build on its strong foundation, expand services, and make them even more accessible.”

“Bowen Center and CONNECT Allen County together make perfect sense,” says Kylie Riecken, Bowen Center Senior Director, Allen County. “CONNECT has always been a place where people can go to get help for any need they might have. With Bowen Center’s focus on integrative healthcare, both CONNECT Allen County and Bowen Center are ensuring easy access to services and resources that will allow our community to thrive and ultimately extend the lives of those that we are privileged to serve. There’s no better way than to combine mental and physical health care with community resources and supports.”

Located at 201 E. Rudisill Blvd., Suite B102, Fort Wayne, CONNECT Allen County is open to anyone without a required appointment or referral. The hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch from noon to 1 pm.