Stories Archive
Julian
Before his senior year of high school began, Julian was worried about working his first job – two hours each weekday at a Pizza Hut restaurant. Now, months later, his boss is so pleased with his work that he hopes to keep him on his team after Julian graduates.
Rachel
The pace is fast, and the shift goes quickly. Rachel, 18, has found a good fit in a job preparing and serving food to hundreds of students.
Megan
For Megan to be going to school and gaining work experience at the same time would have been unthinkable only a few years ago. Now, the Pre-ETS program is only one of the new experiences Megan explores and enjoys!
Jenny
For years, Carroll High School senior Jenny has talked about how much she wants to get a job. Now with the help of Easterseals Arc, she’s getting experience every weekday afternoon working at Manchester University in Fort Wayne.
Tyler
A team of Easterseals Arc staff have helped Tyler learn to communicate in new ways, reduce dangerous behaviors and build relationships with his roommates and his peers in day services. “This is his new life, and he loves it,” says Tyler’s mom, Tina Slater.
Norman
A visit from Norman is delightful for Zoey, a horse at Image of Hope Ranch in DeKalb County.
Madelein
Madelein is working her way off Social Security benefits. The reason? Social Security limits on earned income interfere with her making the best living she can.
Daniel
Daniel says writing nearly every day helps him understand himself. Now, about once a month, he comes to Easterseals Arc to show young people how writing can help them, too.
Melissa
For a long time, Melissa wanted to work in a store. She found success at the Meijer store in Angola, where she has worked for more than a year and a half.
Ellisha
With support from Easterseals Arc staff, Ellish is learning social skills that help her succeed in the workplace.
Jon
Jon, an Easterseals Passages participant, is quick to describe himself as the “go-to guy” wherever he works, a man who masters many tasks so a supervisor can rely on him to fill a gap or learn a new job. That’s the way his part-time job at Pyrotek in Columbia City is turning out, too.
DJ Andrew
DJ Andrew has been practicing his craft at parties for decades. Now he’s finally a radio DJ, too.