FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Tears flowed as freely as the laughter Thursday night when Hope’s Harbor, the nonprofit that gives families with hospitalized children a free place to stay, held its first-ever major fundraiser. Hundreds packed the Fairfield Event Center for Horizon of Hope, an evening that raised critical dollars and reminded everyone why this young organization already feels like home to so many.
The night proved one thing: Fort Wayne shows up for its own.
Live music filled the room. Plates of chicken and salmon disappeared fast. The silent auction tables stayed crowded until the very last bid. But the real stars were the people who have slept in Hope’s Harbor beds while their children fought for their lives in nearby hospitals.
A Mission That Started with One Family’s Pain
Wendy Hoering took over as executive director in 2022 with a clear promise: no family should ever pay to stay close to their sick child.
“We know the medical bills are already crushing,” Hoering told the crowd. “The last thing parents need is a hotel bill on top of that.”
Since opening its doors, Hope’s Harbor has provided more than 2,300 free night stays. Every room, every meal, every load of laundry is covered by donations. Events like Horizon of Hope keep the lights on and the doors open.
From NICU Mom to Team Member: Jennifer Dempsey’s Story
Jennifer Dempsey knows the value of those free nights better than anyone.
Sixteen years ago, her twin daughters Kennedy and Columbia were born. Kennedy needed six and a half weeks in the NICU because of a congenital defect. Dempsey lived at Hope’s Harbor the entire time.
“Those weeks were the hardest of my life,” she said, voice cracking. “But I never had to worry about where I would sleep or how I would eat. I could just be Kennedy’s mom.”
Tonight, Dempsey works for the organization that once saved her. And her daughter Columbia, now 16, took the stage to sing for the families who are walking the same road her family once did.
Columbia also donated a private concert for the silent auction. Bids climbed past $1,500 before the night ended.
The Numbers Behind the Need
Medical travel is brutal on families. Here’s what parents face when a child needs specialized care away from home:
- Average hotel stay near a children’s hospital: $120–$200 per night
- Average length of stay for complex cases: 21–45 days
- Average out-of-pocket cost without help: $3,000–$9,000 just for lodging
Hope’s Harbor wipes that line item clean.
In 2025 alone, the nonprofit served families from 14 states and three countries. Some drove eight hours. Others flew in from rural areas with no pediatric specialists.
Community Generosity on Full Display
Sponsors stepped up big. The silent auction featured everything from signed IPFW basketball jerseys to vacation packages. One local business owner bid $5,000 just to keep the items in the room circulating longer.
“These are our kids,” he said when asked why. “This is our town.”
Early estimates put money raised Thursday night north of $150,000. Every dollar goes straight to keeping families together when they need it most.
Why Nights Like This Matter More Than Ever
Pediatric hospitalizations in northeast Indiana rose 18% last year. More families than ever need a place to stay. Hope’s Harbor currently has 12 guest rooms and a waiting list that never empties.
Hoering has a simple goal for 2026: double capacity.
“That means more nights, more families, more kids who get their parents at the bedside every single morning,” she said.
Thursday night showed Fort Wayne is ready to make that happen.
The mission is far from finished, but for one beautiful evening inside the Fairfield Event Center, hope felt closer than ever.
What did you think of the Horizon of Hope event? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and tag #HorizonOfHopeFW if you share photos or videos. These stories deserve to be heard.
