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Women’s Center
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programs and resources

Women’s center

Programs

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Students with Families

We want all our students to be able to get involved and enjoy college life. To help that happen, our Students with Families program offers events designed for young children, seasonal dinners, and meetups at Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, Science Central, and Crazy Pinz—promoting safe and fun family interactions. Student with Families is sponsored by the Student Government Association.
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Sexual Assault and Prevention Programming

Explore education and advocacy programs, such as One Love and Sexual Consent workshops, to help prevent sexual assaults and to create boundaries in personal and intimate relationships. Our workshops help students and employees know the warning signs of relationship abuse, learn bystander intervention, and feel equipped to seek additional support.
Students studying together.
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Gear Up!

Looking for some peer support? Our Gear Up! program allows adult learners to gain academic support, increase health awareness, and connect with others. We conduct workshops that vary from academic to on- and off-campus support. We also provide schools supplies such as pencils, notebooks, highlighters, index cards, and refreshments.

Surviving College

Seven steps toward success.

 
1

Listen

2

Take and review notes

3

Attend class and participate

4

Manage your Time

5

Utilize study spaces

6

Improve your reading skills

7

Stay Focused for exams

The Zielinkski Angel Fund

Helping those in need.

The Zielinski Angel Fund, an emergency-aid program, provides grants up to $250 to students. You may qualify if you are experiencing a financial crisis that threatens your ability to stay in school. Please note, this award excludes aid for textbooks and tuition fees.

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Choi-Frank Students as Parents Childcare Support Award

Need childcare support?

The Choi-Frank award offers assistance for current students who are experiencing financial difficulty in paying for childcare while attending Purdue Fort Wayne. To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled as a PFW student, preferably full-time
  • Display evidence of financial need in regard to paying for childcare by submitting bills, receipts, and documents
  • Complete the intake form online and submit with copies of current documentation related to childcare costs

The selection process.

A committee of staff representatives from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will review and administer the awards. Preference is given to single parents. You are eligible for one award each academic year and may receive up to three awards during your time at the university. Applications are accepted throughout the 2024–25 academic year.

Adopt-A-Don Program

A time for giving.

Adopt-a-Don is a charitable project that assists selected students and their families during the holiday season. We ask our faculty, staff, campus departments, and/or student organizations to “adopt” our students and their families for the upcoming holiday season. This project assists with toys, clothing, and household needs for selected families. Gifts and items should be unopened, bagged, and/or wrapped upon delivery. Gift cards are also accepted. Faculty, staff, campus departments, and/or student organizations can register to adopt a Don starting in the fall. A maximum amount of $250 is allowed per family. 

  • Registration opens for adopters
  • Selected students are contacted to apply
  • Committee meets to vet students to assign adoptors
  • Gifts and items are delivered to the Women’s Center by 5 p.m. on the designated drop-off date
  • Gift distribution occurs during the Students with Families Jingle Jubilee dinner

To qualify as an adoptable family you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled in at least six credit hours at Purdue Fort Wayne (or Indiana University Fort Wayne)
  • Have or care for dependents ages newborn to 17
  • Show a need via their financial aid information 
  • Be in good standing with the university and not facing academic probation
  • Be working toward an associate or bachelor’s degree

To nominate a student, please contact us at [email protected].

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Inside the Women’s Center

Ways we can help.

Advice
Admissions, the financial aid process, and the academic landscape

Referrals
Academic assistance, personal counseling, career counseling, healthcare, social welfare programs, and childcare

Scholarship Drawer
For women, adult students, and first-generation students

Social Welfare Database 
For students struggling with economic problems

Study Resources
Study-lounge space supplied with snacks and school supplies such as notebooks, writing utensils, and index cards.