In the News
Fort Wayne's Alive Outreach launches peace education initiative
March 5, 2026
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) - Alive Community Outreach launched a new community education initiative to help Fort Wayne build a stronger culture of peace.
Leaders said the new trainings will give businesses, schools and community groups practical skills for understanding conflict, de-escalation and trauma awareness.
The program follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s principles of nonviolence and aims to equip the whole community, not just young people, with tools for healthier relationships.
Program teaches students to solve problems through peace instead of violence
October 29, 2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Inside all five high schools in Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS), you’ll find an after-school program where students learn to solve problems through peace, instead of violence.
Wayne High School sophomore Edith McComas calls joining the Peacemaker Academy this summer “life-changing”.
That’s the goal leaders have for the program.
Looking at ways to address bullying among Fort Wayne children (Journal Gazette)
October 17, 2025
Alive Community Outreach celebrates 5 years of promoting nonviolence
September 22, 2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – A local organization that promotes nonviolence has been taking root in the greater Fort Wayne community over the past five years.
Angelo Mante, co-founder and executive director of Alive Community Outreach, planted the seed in 2020. The organization nowoffers support to survivors of violence, leadership training on how to handle conflict, and more. Mante formed a team that has grown to a staff of 12 people furthering its mission.
Alive Community Outreach celebrates new milestone by pushing peace
September 17, 2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) – Alive Community Outreach is coming up on its five-year anniversary celebration and is celebrating by continuing peacemaking initiatives.
“It was a personal tragedy that kind of brought us to this in the first place. My cousin was murdered, and we were inspired to do something, you know, and so we got into this, but we had no idea what the impact would be,” Reverend Angelo Mante, Founder of Alive Community Outreach said.
The program has since become a steppingstone within the community– what began as survivors supporting families has evolved to something even bigger.
Local teens speak out on youth violence; sharing their stories along the way
August 13, 2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Last Thursday, Mayor Sharon Tucker outlined a plan to curb youth violence that included the voices of young people.
WANE 15 sat down to hear the stories of five local high schoolers to hear how they feel about the violence that has taken place around them.
Alive Community Outreach Celebrates 5 Years in Fort Wayne
August 12, 2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Living Local 15 host Jessica Williams is joined by Rev. Angelo Mant, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Alive Community Outreach, and Marie Mante, Co-Founder & Director of School-based Programs, to learn how Alive cultivates a community of non-violence through relationships and education
Young Peacemakers’ community movement works to provide hope for the future
August 8, 2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WBOI) – Founded in 2020, Alive Community Outreach continues to expand its flagship enterprise, Peacemaker Academy, a nonviolence leadership development program for Fort Wayne Community Schools' high schools.
The intensive program consists of a three-week summer academy, focused on developing leaders who are committed to making peace in their school and community.
Its curriculum, rooted in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of nonviolent conflict reconciliation, prepares graduates for leading the way in building a beloved community, cultivating peace and inspiring their schools to become places of compassion, understanding and hope for the future.
Here the organization’s Director, Angelo Mante and academy graduates Ania Garcia and Raydin Garrett discuss the movement’s progress and far-reaching impact with WBOI’s Julia Meek, and what “being the peace” is all about.
Fort Wayne high school students graduate from nonviolence program
June 27, 2025
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Sixty Fort Wayne high school students graduated from Peacemaker Academy on Friday morning at Northrop High School.
Peacemaker Academy, is a nonviolent leadership development program designed for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Participating high schools include North Side, Northrop, Snider, South Side, and Wayne high schools.
The summer program is supported by Alive Community Outreach and lasts three weeks. Its curriculum is based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of nonviolent conflict reconciliation.
Adams Elementary hosts first-ever Peace Walk
October 9, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Students at Adams Elementary School are back in class after spending Wednesday morning taking the journey around the block for the school’s first-ever Peace Walk.
Over 300 students, staff and neighbors marched out of the school’s gym, guided by the Snider High School drum line, down the street and around the block. Held over the heads of many elementary participants were hand-made signs. Hearts, butterflies and flowers sketched in crayon echoed marcher’s chants as they walked – that peace begins with them, the students.
Organizers of the walk said they were inspired by Alive Community Outreach’s Peacemaker Academy programs.
Alive Community Outreach working to spread awareness about violence
September 25, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Alive Community Outreach is working this week to spread awareness about issues of violence in Fort Wayne.
All this week, Alive Community Outreach is teaming up with Peacemakers programs at various Fort Wayne Community Schools. Their goal is to teach Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s six principles of nonviolence.
Tuesday at South Side High School, where the Peacemaker program was launched, students and leaders focused on the second principle – “the beloved community is the framework for the future.”
They also had a memorial to honor victims of gun violence.
Alive Community Outreach spreads peace on National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims
September 25, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)– Wednesday is National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims, and one Fort Wayne organization is helping families cope with their loss.
Since 2000, the Allen County Coroner has recorded 767 homicides.
Vigil for Victims of Violence aims to offer hope through community
September 22, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) - Grieving families gathered together to work towards peace and honor their loved ones Saturday afternoon in Downtown Fort Wayne.
The annual Vigil for Victims of Violence featured dozens of people inside the First Wayne Street United Methodist Church sharing their stories, praying and offering messages of hope.
Speakers talked about the loved ones they had lost to violence, read poetry and even joined together in song.
The event featured a rendition of the song "Lean On Me," which the people in attendance joined in on as a way to create unity.
The community vigil helped kick off Peace Week, which will feature a series of events at five different FWCS high schools.
Alive Community Outreach Launches new ‘Be the Peace’ Campaign
September 21, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Alive Community Outreach is gearing up for the launch of its newest campaign.
The vigil will be held at the United Methodist Church starting at 5pm on Saturday.
Executive Director of Community Outreach Reverend Angelo Mante and Director of Survivor Support Cynthia Gardner sat down with WANE 15 to talk more about the event.
Angelo Mante: Peacemaker Academy
August 22, 2024
Angelo Mante, Executive Director of Alive Community Outreach, joins Melissa Montana today on Conversations. Founded in 2021, Alive Community Outreach uses educational and relationship-based programming to cultivate nonviolence in the community. Alive Community Outreach’s Peacemaker Academy is a nonviolent leadership development program for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors at Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) high schools. With financial support from FWCS’ ‘Safer Schools’ referendum, this is the first year all five FWCS high schools are involved in the Peacemaker Academy, with 60 students participating.
Alive Community Outreach’s Peacemaker Academy celebrates 60 graduates
June 29, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - On Friday, Alive Community Outreach celebrated the graduation of 60 students from its 2024 Peacemaker Academy.
Founded in 2020, Alive Community Outreach uses educational and relationship-based programming to cultivate nonviolence in the community.
Alive Community Outreach’s Peacemaker Academy is a nonviolent leadership development program for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors at Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) high schools.
Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker visits Alive Community Outreach’s Peacemaker Academy
June 14, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - On Thursday, Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker visited Alive Community Outreach’s Peacemaker Academy.
Founded in 2021, Alive Community Outreach uses educational and relationship-based programming to cultivate nonviolence in the community.
Alive Community Outreach’s Peacemaker Academy is a nonviolent leadership development program for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors at Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) high schools.
With financial support from FWCS’ ‘Safer Schools’ referendum, this is the first year all five FWCS high schools are involved in the Peacemaker Academy, with 60 students participating.
Peacemaker Movement Expands Citywide Culture of Peace (WBOI)
February 28, 2024
After working for three years with the student population at South Side High School, Alive Community Outreach is expanding its Peacemakers Program to all of the high schools in the Fort Wayne Community School system.
The organization’s vision, according to Executive Director, Angelo Mante, is bold but simple: a beloved community free from the cycle of violence.
FWCS announces expansion of Alive Peacemakers program to all district high schools
February 13, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - On Monday the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of School Trustees approved the expansion of the Alive Community Outreach program to all five high schools in the district.
Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) held a school board meeting on Monday, Feb. 12, where a contract to implement the Alive Peacemakers program to all of the district’s high schools was approved. FWCS officials say this expansion will be funded by the recently passed well-being and safety referendum.
‘This is Hope’: FWCS votes to expand Peacemaker Academy
February 12, 2024
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)- The Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) Board of Trustees approved a contract with Alive Community Outreach Monday, totaling half-a-million dollars. The contract will expand the Alive Peacemakers program to all five high schools in the district.
It will soon be available at Snider and Wayne high schools, after being implemented earlier at South Side, Northrop and North Side.
Angelo Mante, Executive Director of Alive Community Outreach, began his organization in 2021 after the tragic loss of a family member. Since then, the Peacemaker Academy was created.
FWCS pilots safety enhancements at South Side
October 24, 2023
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – South Side High School is now serving as a site for safety. This includes a portable weapon detection system, student advocates, and the Alive Peacemaker program. The pilot began in August, Fort Wayne Community Schools now has data to show how the three safety initiatives are working together.
Students’ mental health needs are growing. Here’s how one district is asking taxpayers to help
October 17, 2023
After nine guns were found at Fort Wayne schools during the 2022-23 school year, a group of community members approached district leadership with an urgent request: Make schools safer.
Together with the district, a new safety committee made up of law enforcement, mental health professionals, and teachers compiled a list of recommendations to do so. Campuses needed technology updates and more school resource officers. But the group also recommended hiring additional staff to support students’ well-being.
Pain to Purpose | Angelo Mante ALIVE Community Outreach
October 3, 2023
On this episode of Love Fort Wayne podcast, we're thrilled to bring you a heart-to-heart conversation with a man who's turning pain into purpose, Angelo Mante, the Executive Director of Alive Community Outreach. Angelo takes us on a journey from his days as a United Methodist pastor, all the way to his stirring decision to lead a mission of nonviolence in Fort Wayne, driven by a family tragedy. His candid storytelling echoes the transformative inception of the Alive program, a beacon we can all learn from about the power of relationships and education in establishing a peaceful coexistence.
This episode is not just a testament to Angelo’s remarkable journey, but a tribute to Fort Wayne's resilience, a community that's writing a new narrative of peace and harmony, one relationship at a time.
Day of Remembrance brings families together to honor loved ones
September 23, 2023
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) - South Side High School wrapped up its Peace Week over the weekend, hosting an event Saturday to honor loved ones who were lost to violence.
The event marked the 3rd Annual Day of Remembrance event and vigil, giving families the chance to honor loved ones inside the First Wayne Street United Methodist Church.
Peace Grannies and Grampies Making a Difference
April 24, 2023
The last Wednesday of the month is a special time at South Side High School. A group of retirees called the Peace Grannies & Grampies visit during lunch breaks to spread a powerful message and connect with a new generation.
The visits are part of the Peacemaker Program created at the school by Alive Community Outreach, a local nonprofit addressing nonviolence, conflict resolution, and peacemaking.
Prescription for King good for what ails nation
January 16, 2022
On Sept. 20, 1958, a 29-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr. sat in Blumstein's Department Store in Harlem, New York, signing copies of his recently published book, “Strive Toward Freedom.” Maneuvering around the several people standing in line, a well-dressed woman in cat's eye glasses approached King suddenly.
“Are you Martin Luther King?”
“Yes,” King replied.
Upon his confirmation, the woman, later identified as Izola Ware Curry, leapt forward and plunged a seven-inch letter opener into King's chest, mere millimeters from his heart.
‘When you go through grief, you don’t look forward to the holidays’: Nonprofit collects gifts for homicide victims’ families
December 17, 2021
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Holidays can be hard for those who have lost loved ones – especially for families of homicide victims.
For the past two years, Alive Community Outreach has made it its mission to ease the burden of family members who lost a loved one due to homicide. During the holidays, the nonprofit hosts a Christmas gathering for families of homicide victims. Children decorate Christmas cookies and receive Christmas presents.
Alive Community Outreach helps families of homicide victims find joy during holiday season (WANE)
November 23, 2021
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — The holiday season is particularly difficult for those who have lost a loved one, especially those who have lost family members to homicides. A Fort Wayne organization is working to help families find joy this holiday.
PrimeTime - Alive Community Outreach - November 5, 2021 (PBS)
November 5, 2021
Alive Community Outreach. Guests - Davion Stokes, Marie Mante, and Rev. Angelo Mante.
Families recall loved ones killed in homicides (Journal Gazette)
September 26, 2021
One by one, family by family, people gathered Saturday to honor the ones they lost, the ones whose lives were taken by someone else who had no right to take it.
Families pay tribute to loved ones on National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims (WANE)
September 26, 2021
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Families and friends gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge Sunday to honor their loved ones whose lives were lost to homicide.
Families to honor homicide victims on National Day of Remembrance (WANE)
September 24, 2021
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Saturday is the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. To celebrate, families are honoring lost loved ones at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge in the evening.
Voices of South East: Building a culture of peaceful progress in Fort Wayne, starting with students (Input FW)
September 1, 2021
A new program at South Side High School seeks to build a culture of peace in Fort Wayne, and it's doing so one group of dedicated high school students at a time.
&Good Company: Reverend Angelo Mante, Executive Director, Alive Community Outreach
August 25, 2021
Five questions for Rev. Angelo and Marie Mante (Journal Gazette)
July 26, 2021
Students Learn To Be Change Agents For The Cultivation Of Peace (WBOI)
June 18, 2021
Fort Wayne South Side High School students to be part of Peacemaker Academy (FW Business Weekly)
June 9, 2021
A group of South Side High School students will be part of the new Peacemaker Academy that applies the nonviolence philosophy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Local Rotary hears about Peacemaker Academy (Journal Gazette)
June 7, 2021
An effort to cultivate a culture of nonviolence and peace at South Side High School was outlined at today's meeting of the Rotary Club of Fort Wayne – and got a vocal endorsement from the Fort Wayne district's superintendent.
Challenge by King echoes loudly in '21 (Journal Gazette)
January 18, 2021
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found in its early pages – the story of Abram's Call (Gen. 12:1-9). The Lord approaches Abram and tells him to leave everything he knows and loves – his country, his people, his home – to go to a land the Lord will show him. Remarkably, Abram asks no questions. Having no clue as to where he's going, he simply “went, as the Lord had told him.”
Local Advocate Reaches Out To Cultivate Community Of Nonviolence (WBOI)
July 8, 2020
‘We must revolt against this peace’: When unity becomes obnoxious (Input FW)
June 10, 2020
On June 28, 1955, U.S. District Judge Harlan Grooms heard the case of Autherine Lucy and Pollie Anne Myers, two young Black women who in 1952 were denied admission to the University of Alabama on the basis of race. During their three-year legal battle, the United States Supreme Court issued its ruling in the case of Brown v. The Board of Education in which the court unanimously declared segregation illegal—a landmark ruling that breathed new life into Lucy’s and Myers’s case. Twenty-four hours after hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Grooms ruled in favor of the young women.
‘Protesters are not the enemy; police are not the enemy; Injustice is the enemy’ (Input FW)
June 3, 2020
As a local pastor and nonprofit leader, Angelo Mante shares his reflections after attending the protests in Fort Wayne.
Helping kids affected by homicides: Local pastors join forces to bring joy to more than 100 (Journal Gazette)
December 14, 2019
Pastor Dereck Fields couldn't believe it when all the yellow adopt-a-child cards on the church Christmas tree disappeared after the 8:30 a.m. service.