Welcome!

 

Hand in hand. Door through door.

 

These six words summarize our culture and our mission. They give comfort to our riders and their families alike. They are what has set us apart for the last 25 years.

 

On May 1, 2000, we received our nonprofit status and began the important work of easing the burden of transportation. Since that day, we’ve provided over 1,000,000 rides to tens of thousands of Allen County residents! But we’re not stopping anytime soon.


We kicked off this year of celebration at our annual Dine4Rides Gala. You can read about it further down in The Ride Along. We’ll continue celebrating this landmark year, taking time to look back at how we got to where we are today, and what our future holds.


One thing is for certain; we wouldn’t be here without you! Thank you for your continued support of our mission, enabling us to always be hand in hand and door through door.  

 

Gratefully,

 

Justin

 
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We shared this video at our annual Dine4Rides Gala earlier this month. It captures the heart of our mission-- as seen through the lens of our riders, drivers, and staff.

 

If you’ve attended a CTN event, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Molly Graves in action—whether she was welcoming guests, working behind the scenes, or proudly sporting one of her nine (soon to be ten!) Hop On Brew Tour t-shirts. This year, she celebrates a decade with CTN, where she serves as our Director of Development.

For Molly, CTN has never been just about getting people from one place to another. “It’s not just about the ride—it’s about how we make people feel,” she says. “I love that we create an experience where riders feel like they matter—because they do.”

She has spent the last ten years helping shape CTN into more than a transportation provider—it’s a community lifeline. “We deliver dignity to our riders, peace of mind to their loved ones, and a support network for our community,” she says.

Two standout milestones in her journey are the Hop On Brew Tour, which she co-created with Executive Director Justin Clupper, and the growth of Dine 4 Rides, now raising over $150,000 annually. “Both events feel like big reunions of CTN supporters,” Molly shares. “It’s amazing to see how our community shows up.”

Behind the scenes, Molly knows the magic is in the details. “Our dispatch and scheduling teams are constantly problem-solving. It’s not just logistics—it’s compassion in action.” She also credits CTN’s board of directors for their creativity and commitment to advancing the mission year-round.

As she marks a decade with CTN, Molly’s passion is as strong as ever. She continues to connect people, build community, and help CTN move forward—one ride at a time.

 

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Dine 4 Rides was a resounding success—raising an astounding $150,000 in support of life-sustaining transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities.

From the laughter and lively bidding to the heartfelt moments shared throughout the evening, it was a night to remember—and one made possible by you. We are deeply grateful to:

  • Our generous donors
  • Dedicated event sponsors
  • Hardworking staff and volunteers
  • Our committed board of directors
  • And every guest who came ready to give boldly

Every dollar raised helps keep people connected—to doctors, groceries, loved ones, and the independence they deserve. This is the power of community in action.

 This is what community looks like. 

View event photos, courtesy of Purpose Photography:
Click here to browse the gallery »

 

Hop On Brew Tour Returns November 8, 2025 — Tickets Available Now!

Get ready to raise a glass for a good cause! Tickets are officially on sale for our 2025 Hop On Brew Tour, happening Saturday, November 8—and you won’t want to miss it.

This much-anticipated annual event combines the best of Fort Wayne’s craft beer scene with the mission-driven heart of CTN. Attendees will enjoy tastings from a variety of local breweries, exclusive pours, great company, and a laid-back vibe—all while supporting accessible transportation for seniors, people with disabilities, and others in need throughout our community.

By joining us for the Hop On Brew Tour, you’re not just sampling great beer—you’re helping fund the rides that connect people to life-sustaining resources.

Tickets are limited—grab yours today: ridectn.org/support/hop-on-brew-tour

 

Gifts from local foundations, area businesses, and organizations make it possible for us to provide transportation to thousands of low-income seniors and people with disabilities each year. Special thanks to the following for your generous gifts last quarter:

 

PHP Foundation

Felderman Design | Build

Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne

Do It Best Foundation, Inc.

Turnstone

AWS Foundation

Parkview Health

STAR Financial Bank

Charlie Tippmann Foundation Charitable Trust

St. Joseph Community Health Foundation

Citilink

 

As a long-time social worker in Fort Wayne, Chip Koltash has seen firsthand how vital transportation is to health and wellbeing.

Now, as Facility Administrator at DaVita Fort Wayne West Dialysis and Chair of CTN’s Program Committee, Chip brings that perspective to his role on CTN’s Board of Directors—helping shape services that keep people connected to life-sustaining care.

He has supported CTN since its earliest days, making patient referrals long before officially joining the board.

What ultimately inspired him to say yes? Two unforgettable moments:

“During a subzero cold snap, other transportation services shut down—but CTN stepped up. Leadership and drivers worked together to ensure dialysis patients still made it to their treatments safely. That kind of dedication is rare. And CTN doesn’t just drop riders at the curb—they offer true door-to-door service, which makes a world of difference for our patients.”

For Chip, the heart of CTN is right in the name: Community.

“CTN keeps people in the community—whether that means getting to a doctor’s appointment or the grocery store. And before CTN, agencies tried to manage transportation on their own, which pulled focus from their missions. CTN brought everyone together into a more efficient, coordinated system.”

Chip says serving on the board has deepened both his personal and professional commitment to the community. As Program Committee Chair, he plays a key role in evaluating and enhancing services to meet the evolving needs of riders.

“I know I’m making a difference on a larger scale, and that’s incredibly fulfilling.”

His advice to anyone considering supporting CTN?

“If you know someone who rides with CTN, you already understand the impact. And if you don’t—call us. We’ll introduce you. Today you may be able to drive yourself. Tomorrow could look different.”

Just for fun: If Chip could drive any vehicle? Easy—the original Batmobile, complete with flames, gadgets, and secret entrances to the Batcave.

“I had a ride-on Batmobile as a kid and passed it down to my cousins. I’d love one more spin around the block.”

 

Learn more and apply: https://ridectn.org/about-us/employment/

 

CTN Honored with Whip Around Safety Excellence Award

We’re proud to share that CTN has been recognized with the Whip Around Safety Excellence Award—a distinction that reflects our unwavering commitment to safety and reliability.

At CTN, safety is more than a priority—it’s the foundation of everything we do. This award is a testament to the diligence and dedication of our entire team, from our professional drivers to our trusted mechanic partners and administrative staff. Together, they work tirelessly to ensure that every vehicle in our fleet is maintained to the highest standards, allowing us to provide safe, dependable transportation to those who rely on us most.

Receiving this honor reinforces our mission of helping individuals in our community live independently by providing accessible and reliable transportation services.

To our riders, supporters, and staff—thank you for being part of our journey.

 

CTN Recognized for Advancing Equity in the Workplace

We are proud to announce that we were honored with a Women in the Workplace Bronze Recognition from the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne.

This distinction highlights our ongoing efforts to foster an equitable, inclusive, and empowering workplace for women. At CTN, we believe that creating a supportive environment for all employees isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential to our mission and to the strength of our organization.

The Women in the Workplace initiative evaluates local employers on policies,

practices, and cultures that support gender equity. CTN’s Bronze designation reflects our commitment to advancing those standards and continuously improving how we support and uplift women in our workplace.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Women’s Fund for leading the charge toward a more inclusive future—and for recognizing the important work being done across our region.

Learn more about this important initiative and how you can get involved at: www.womensfundfw.org/workplace

 

2025 Disabilities Expo

We attended the 2025 Disabilities Expo on May 10. It was great to see familiar faces and meet new ones to educate them about our services.

 

CTN on Open Book with Susan Baier

In the latest episode of Open Book, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at the work, life, and vision of our Executive Director Justin Clupper.

From CTN’s commitment to serving the community to his thoughts on leadership, local initiatives, and the future of Allen County—Justin shares what drives our mission forward.

Thank you to Open Book and Susan Baier for creating a space for meaningful conversations and community connection.

Watch the full episode to learn more about how CTN is moving people and making a difference.

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Fort Wayne is making headlines for all the right reasons-- in large part to the efforts of Visit Fort Wayne whose ongoing efforts to make Fort Wayne a fully inclusive destination for every traveler are helping our city shine on the national stage!

In a recent feature by New Mobility, the city was recognized as one of the most accessible travel destinations in the U.S. for wheelchair users—and CTN was honored to play a key role in that recognition.

The article follows a visiting family as they explore some of Fort Wayne’s top attractions, including the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Promenade Park, and the city’s vibrant downtown. Throughout their stay, CTN’s wheelchair-accessible vans and compassionate drivers made it possible to navigate the city with ease, comfort, and dignity.

At CTN, we believe accessibility should never be a barrier to exploration, connection, or joy. Whether we’re helping residents get to medical appointments or welcoming visitors to our city, our goal remains the same: to provide safe, inclusive, and dependable transportation for all.

This recognition is a testament to what’s possible when community organizations and city leaders work together to create a welcoming environment for people of all abilities.

We’re proud to be part of that mission—and proud to help make Fort Wayne a place where everyone can roll, ride, and thrive.

Read the full article in New Mobility here.

 
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