High School Training Program ExpandsPre-Employment Transition Services Builds Job SkillsJust a year after Easterseals Arc launched a partnership with Wayne High school, more area high schools are working with Easterseals Arc to help students with disabilities improve their prospects for employment. As the second year of a program to provide pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) wraps up, Easterseals Arc is now working with four high schools.

Pre-ETS began at Wayne High School in January 2017 and included a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. The partnership with Wayne and Ivy Tech continues, and Homestead, Carroll and Columbia City high schools have started offering the program, too.

Work that began with a handful of students at Wayne last year now involves more than 200 students at the four schools, according to Ann Barnes-Smith, director of employment and community supports at Easterseals Arc.

At Wayne, 11 students take part. At Carroll and Homestead high schools, 12 and 22 students, respectively, are involved. At Columbia City, 172 students are involved. At Columbia City, administrators encouraged staff to enroll every student with an individual educational program, or IEP, Barnes-Smith said.

Barnes-Smith said the roster of work sites has expanded, too. In addition to Ivy Tech, Walgreen’s, the Jorgensen Family YMCA, and elementary schools are among new locations involved, too. There is now a total of 10 sites outside the high schools where students get experience in work settings.

Barnes-Smith, who was formerly the director of special education at Fort Wayne Community Schools, knows firsthand how to build on existing school

programs for people with disabilities.

“This fills a gap that’s been needed for individuals to develop their skills,” she said. Unlike longer-established programs that help develop employment skills and opportunities for people with disabilities, this boosts young people’s capabilities while they’re still in school.

“This could catch younger people earlier instead of waiting until they get out of school,” Barnes-Smith said.

Anyone 14 or older with an IEP or a 504 plan is eligible for the program, she said. An IEP prescribes

Continued on Page 2

Summer 2018A Newsletter from Easterseals Arc

Students at Wayne High School worked in several departments at Ivy Tech Community College as part of the pre-employment transitions services (Pre-ETS) program.

SUMMER 2018

2

Spring Inspires Mindset for GrowthI know we are all happy to see spring and summer arrive! This is the time of the year when things grow—

flowers, grass, and our wish list of things to do now that the temperature is warmer. I am excited to share some of our growth at Easterseals Arc!

Our programs that help prepare the individuals we support for employment have all grown tremendously! We are so proud of our individuals working in the community or exploring community employment options. Darrin, featured on Page 6, is just one of many success stories. The area business community is

struggling to find employees, but when they work with the people we support, they realize they have found a great new place to fill their openings!

We are all looking forward to having our summer Dream Teens and Mini-Dreamers join us soon. We heard directly from families that this is something they wanted more of, and we are committed to provide safe, fun, and meaningful summer programs for school-age individuals. It’s fun to meet new kids and see how the returning participants have grown!

Our recreation program is active year-round, but summer is particularly busy. These activities that help lifelong friendships grow would not be possible

without our generous donors, especially those who attend Dancing with the Arc Stars. Some of this year’s event highlights were captured in photos on Page 5.

We are always adding more staff dedicated to our purpose, and we strive to provide professional growth opportunities like our DSP College. The spring class will graduate soon with additional training on topics such as person-centered planning; consumer rights and advocacy; and communication.

You can help us continue growing!

I often talk to people in the community who appreciate what we are doing and wonder how they can help. Here are a few suggestions: � Help us connect with employers: Does your

workplace have hiring needs? I’d love to talk with you about how we work with businesses to connect them with our job seekers.

� Help us spread awareness: Invite your friends or co-workers on a tour of our facilities to learn more about the amazing difference we make each day.

� Help us fund dreams: Unfortunately, supporting individuals with disabilities requires more than good intentions; it also requires funding. Contact me if you want to learn more about our President’s Club and how those donors help us change lives.

Feel free to contact me at delbrecht@esarc.org to learn more about all of the ways you can help us grow and be stronger together!

Donna ElbrechtPresident & CEO

Pre-Employment Transition Services (continued from Page 1)

instruction a child or adolescent with disabilities needs. A 504 plan is more focused on specific accommodations young people with disabilities need, even if they don’t require specialized instruction.

“We can also educate families,” Barnes-Smith said. This earlier introduction to cultivating good

work habits and important skills can acquaint not only youth but also their parents with areas they will need to focus on.

Funding from the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services prepares students to learn in five areas: job-exploration counseling, post-secondary education, self-advocacy, work-based learning

experiences and workplace-readiness training. Detailed rubrics in each of these areas help establish goals for participants and measure their progress.

A key part of the program is a portfolio every student will develop that can help an employer know what the student has learned and how ready he or she is for a job.

SUMMER 2018

3

Fun-Loving Travelers Explore the CaribbeanIt’s said that travel is broadening, and for a handful of the people Easterseals Arc serves, it’s practically addictive.

In March, staff member Danielle Jones enjoyed an exceptional week at the office. Her “office” was the cruise ship Carnival Magic, and her job was helping five Easterseals Arc consumers enjoy a voyage around the Caribbean. The travelers ranged in age from late 30s to late 70s, all brought together by their interest in travel.

All five – Judy, Tim, Greg, Robbie and Tom – paid for the cruise, which cost about $2,000 each, from their own funds. Some saved very carefully, month by month, and made additional money in part-time work to pay for the cruise. One has a trust fund that provides for some additional entertainment.

As Jones recalls, the origin of this March trip was a 2017 trip to Disney World taken by Judy, Tom and Tim. They enjoyed that trip so much they started talking about where to go next as soon as they returned from Disney World.

Serious planning for the cruise started at least six months in advance of the cruise this year. Jones said the travelers turned to Search Beyond Adventures, a tour company that specializes in providing travel opportunities for people with disabilities. Robbie and Greg, who’ve had less experience traveling, joined the plans later.

Throughout the cruise, Jones acted as a kind of facilitator and guide to help the group. She made sure they

took any necessary medication and showed up for meals. She was responsible for the group keeping to a schedule and accompanied them whenever they left the ship. They stopped at four ports: Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Grand Turk, Turks and Cacao Islands.

All the members of the group wanted to stay together on their shore excursions. They enjoyed shopping and sightseeing everywhere.

There was a lot to do on the ship as well. Shops, casinos, bars

and spas all were part of the mix that the cruise participants could choose from. A comedy club was popular. There were “drive-in” movies every night on a giant screen on the deck. Big parties were held every night on deck.

“They’re a good bunch to travel with. I like watching how much fun they have. They’re all pretty outgoing and fun. There’s none of that drama on vacation,” she said.

Tim already has proposed the next trip, this time to Disneyland in southern California. Tom and Judy also are tentatively on board for that one.

(Above) Greg, Judy, Tim, Tom and Robbie visited St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, as part of their Caribbean cruise in March.

(At left) Easterseals Arc staff member Danielle Jones (front) accompanied the group on the week-long trip.

SUMMER 2018

4

Gratitude for GrantsEasterseals Arc is thankful to the following organizations for their generous grant awards:

� AWS Foundation, $150,000 for operating expenses

� Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, $15,000 for employment services

Let Us Show You the Difference You Make“Your life and mine shall be valued not by what we take... but by what we give.”

Those words, spoken by Easterseals founder Edgar Allen nearly 100 years ago, began a movement. Today, we’re thankful to you for being a part of that movement.

Many of us want to change someone’s life. Many have been moved to give by hearing or witnessing personal stories. Others just want to leave a legacy that perpetuates them or their ideas. Knowing that your

donation is changing lives and making a difference each and every day is quite rewarding.

Easterseals Arc provides services and supports to almost 1,000 individuals as well as families, friends and co-workers. With our help and yours, individuals are thriving at home, at work and at play, but there is much more we can do together.

If you want to learn more about us and what your generosity means to the individuals we serve, I’m here to help you. I’d love to give you a tour of our facilities so you can see firsthand how lives are changed each day thanks to support like yours.

We encourage you to help us raise awareness of the experiences of people with disabilities and advocate for the services they need to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

Contact me at sward@esarc.org or 260.456.4534 ext. 267 to arrange your tour.

Sheri WardDirector of Development

Save The Date

After several successful years of Vino, Java & Jazz, it’s time for a new flavor in fundraising!

www.culinaryqueensftw.com

SUMMER 2018

5

Dancing Still Thrills Crowd in 10th YearDancing with the Arc Stars celebrated its 10th year with another fantastic evening of fun and fundraising. The event raised more than $127,000 to support Easterseals Arc’s recreation program.

The performances were outstanding and awards were handed out in several categories: � Best Footwork: 1st place, Lesley

Douglass and Aaron; 2nd place, Jenny Ladig and Damian

� Most Elegant: 1st place, Jason Knothe and Susie; 2nd place, Doug Hills and Delonda

� Most Creative: 1st place, Jason Mosser and Sheryl; 2nd place, Ashley Whicker and Mark

� Best Dressed: 1st place, Eric Zeiger and DeDe; 2nd place, Ray Cates and Peter

� Crowd Pleaser: 1st place, Linda Johnston and Danny; 2nd place, Scott James and Janis

� Top Fundraiser: Scott James and Janis

Thank you to all of the dancers, volunteers, donors and sponsors who made it a great night! We hope to see you for the next Dancing with the Arc Stars on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Smooth moves captured the Best Footwork awards, with Lesley Douglass and Aaron (above) taking first place and Jenny Ladig and Damian (left) in second place.

Linda Johnston and Danny were the top Crowd Pleasers.

Scott James and Janis won the Top Fundraiser title.

Jason Knothe and Susie were named the Most Elegant dancers.

SUMMER 2018

6

Job Provides Structure, Not Just MoneyAfter going without a job too long for his comfort, Darrin is again part of a team that embraces him.

Darrin, 52, started working at Arby’s on Illinois Road last summer. He’s responsible for keeping the public areas of the restaurant clean, taking out trash, sweeping up, and restocking paper towels in the bathrooms. Behind the counter, he sometimes runs the dishwasher. He carries a special key, clipped to his own key ring, that he uses to open the towel dispensers for refilling.

“He’s so proud of that,” says Passion Young. “You’d think he had the key to Arby’s.”

Young is the lead Easterseals Arc staff member helping Darrin live and work independently. She has worked with Darrin since 2010 and knows well how hard the man works and how he depends on work as the highlight and framework of every week.

Darrin typically works three days a week. His shifts last three or three and a half hours and generally include the lunch rush. Occasionally he is called in for a fourth shift in a week.

“He gets so excited when he gets an extra day,” she said.

She said Darrin had worked at another fast-food restaurant for 15 years. Under new management in 2013, his hours were cut, then his job was eliminated. When he started looking for a new job, he had to weather several unsuccessful job interviews.

After he started at Arby’s, a job coach from Vocational Rehabilitation Services worked with him to make sure he learned all that he needed to do.

The work is satisfying in itself, but he’s also motivated by the pleasures that a little extra money can provide. Earlier this year, he bought himself a pop machine for his apartment.

Another splurge that his Arby’s earnings provided was a trip to WWE event in Indianapolis. There he bought a souvenir wrestling title belt, among other mementos.

He enjoys bowling, though his

shifts on Saturdays keep him from participating in Easterseals Arc’s bowling league. With Young, he gets out to walk and goes to the YMCA, where he particularly likes beating her at basketball.

He also enjoys going on dates with his girlfriend, Rose, whose easygoing style suits him. “There’s no drama or nothing,” he said.

Still, those shifts at Arby’s are keys to his happiness, so much so that sometimes he thinks about finding a second job, too.

“He’s really reliable,” Assistant Manager Jaykob Walker said. “Every single shift, he gets here early.” Walker describes Darrin as friendly, greeting and briefly chatting with nearly every fellow employee in the course of a shift.

And he’s always willing – more than willing – to stay late.

“I can work until midnight if they need me,” Darrin said.Darrin sweeps the seating area at

Arby’s.

Passion Young, left, sees how much work means to Darrin.

SUMMER 2018

7

Upcoming Events: June through SeptemberJUNE 6/5 Boundaries Crossed: Asperger’s Youth Group, 6:15-7:15 p.m., contact Tommy Guest at tommy@

partnersinautism.com for location and additional information

6/6 & 20 Aktion Club Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Turnstone, 3320 N. Clinton St.

6/11 Social Group for Adults Who Have Asperger’s, 6-7:30 p.m., Lutheran Hospital, Room #4 in cafeteria

6/21 Self Advocates Meeting, 1-2 p.m., Projects Drive

JULY 7/3 Boundaries Crossed: Asperger’s Youth Group, 6:15-7:15 p.m., contact Tommy Guest at tommy@

partnersinautism.com for location and additional information

7/9 Social Group for Adults Who Have Asperger’s, 6-7:30 p.m., Lutheran Hospital, Room #4 in cafeteria

7/18 Aktion Club Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Turnstone, 3320 N. Clinton St.

7/19 Self Advocates Meeting, 1-2 p.m., Projects Drive

7/27 Summer Party, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Easterseals Arc

AUGUST 8/1 & 15 Aktion Club Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Turnstone, 3320 N. Clinton St.

8/7 Boundaries Crossed: Asperger’s Youth Group, 6:15-7:15 p.m., contact Tommy Guest at tommy@partnersinautism.com for location and additional information

8/13 Social Group for Adults Who Have Asperger’s, 6-7:30 p.m., Lutheran Hospital, Room #4 in cafeteria

8/16 Self Advocates Meeting, 1-2 p.m., Projects Drive

SEPTEMBER

9/4 Boundaries Crossed: Asperger’s Youth Group, 6:15-7:15 p.m., contact Tommy Guest at tommy@partnersinautism.com for location and additional information

9/5 & 19 Aktion Club Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Turnstone, 3320 N. Clinton St.

9/10 Social Group for Adults Who Have Asperger’s, 6-7:30 p.m., Lutheran Hospital, Room #4 in cafeteria

9/15 Sibshops, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for grade school (ages 7-12); noon-3 p.m. junior high/middle school; 2-4 p.m. high school at Mad Anthony’s Children’s Hope House on Lutheran Hospital Campus

9/20 Self Advocates Meeting, 1-2 p.m., Projects Drive

Holiday 7/4 4th of July Holiday, Easterseals Arc offices and day programs closed

7/4 Aktion Club, cancelled

Holiday 9/3 Labor Day Holiday, Easterseals Arc offices and day programs closed

taking on disability together

4919 Coldwater RoadFort Wayne, IN 46825

WINTER 2018

Awards Celebrate Best of Easterseals Arc in 2017Easterseals Arc celebrated its accomplishments of 2017 at the agency’s 6th Annual Recognition Celebration on April 26.

Participant of the Year AwardsParticipant of the Year awards recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals in various program areas. � Adult Day Center: Queen Green � Behavior Solutions: William

Malone � Community Living: Amber

Palmer � Employment Services: Ralph

Carter � Group Homes: Ben LeBlanc � Projects Drive Group: Darrius

Wilson

� Supported Living: Karen Becher � Transitions: Jonquia Thomas

Staff Awards � The Purpose Award (for a staff

member who makes profound, positive differences in people’s lives every day): Doug Bowman, Recreation

� The Seeing the Whole You Award (for a staff member who excels at supporting individuals’ full range of needs, interests, and goals): Matthew Tackett, Group Homes

� The Driven to Achieve Award (for a staff member who empowers those we serve by providing encouragement, assistance and resources):

Jocelyn Kratzer, Transitions � The Paving the Way Award (for

a staff member who strives to remove or overcome barriers): Kennard Taylor, Adult Day Center, and Helen Atkinson, Projects Drive Group

� The Stronger Together Award (for a staff member who embraces collaboration and cooperation): Kimberlen Russell, Employment Services

� Direct Support Professional of the Year: Ann Childs, Supported Living

� Employee of the Year: Aimee Green, Intake and Transitions Coordinator

� Program of the Year: Group Homes