FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): A local nonprofit is trying to make southeast Fort Wayne a safer and cleaner place to be.

The Bridge of Grace, a Compassionate Ministries Center operated out of Grace Point Church, says they’ve had enough with problems of blight and violence in that part of town. Pastor Javier Mondragon tells our Partners in News at 21Alive residents keep telling the church that they just don’t feel safe.

To try and change that, they’re launching a campaign to turn vacant lots into recreational and social spaces, as well as buying street lamps to make things more well-lit and encourage neighbors to keep an eye on each other’s homes.

The idea is simple: if you send the message that somebody cares for the community, it will encourage others to do the same.

Mondragon says it’s up to southeast side residents to take the steps needed to improve their own neighborhoods.