The Verdigris of Separation program launched at the Dream Center Fort Wayne - Empowering Youth

By Miranda Thomas

A new youth enrichment program has debuted at the Dream Center Fort Wayne called “Verdigris of Separation,” created by Davontaé Vertner and officially launched on May 15, 2025. Davontaé Vertner is a longtime community mentor who has worked with the youth for many years. As he had deep ties with the city’s youth center and local creative networks, he was able to form the “Verdigris of Separation” program. This program is designed to create meaningful opportunities for the youth, especially those with limited access to resources.

“I wanted to build something that helps kids develop practical skills, confidence, and creative problem-solving,” Vertner said. “The Verdigris of Separation is about understanding the beauty and difficulty in growth and disconnection—and giving kids tools to navig

Each session incorporates hands-on learning, such as parachute building contests and air drag experiments. These activities help spark curiosity and critical thinking in our youth while teaching kids to reverse-engineer problems and work collaboratively.

“We want to encourage curiosity,” Vertner said. “These activities help kids learn how to plan, test, adapt, and succeed.” “You can reverse engineer anything—whether it’s a math problem, a social issue, or a goal in life. That’s what we want kids to take away.”

The idea for the Verdigris of Separation program came from a conversation with a former coworker, discussing youth programming and recommending that he reach out to Mr. Dortch at the Dream Center Fort Wayne. That meeting led to the opportunity of creating this fantastic program! The program's name reflects a powerful metaphor as the word Verdigris means the blue-green patina that forms on copper over time, and separation relates to the emotional and systematic divides that many of our youth face. With this program, Vertner aims to bridge those gaps using creativity, education, and community building.

“This work is personal,” Vertner shared. “There’s no perfect way to be a parent, or to grieve, or to lead—but I know what it means to turn pain into purpose. My kids gave me that. They saved me. And now I want to help save someone else’s.”

Vertner is open about how the experience of fatherhood and loss shaped his purpose. His vision for the program is grounded in honesty, healing, and a belief that adults and children alike benefit from lifelong learning.

“This is ongoing learning—for the kids and us. We learn so we can teach better, communicate better, and show up better. And sometimes, the kids teach us.”

Outside of the program, Vertner is a passionate reader and researcher with interests in Greek mythology, historical biographies, and genealogy. He remains passionate about the power of storytelling and self-discovery.

The Verdigris of Separation maintains an active presence on Facebook and Instagram @Verdigris.of.separation , where families can find photos, updates, upcoming events, and highlights from each session.