The Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI), a program of The Arc of Indiana Foundation, graduated our first group of students on Saturday, March 19.
Located in the Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, Indiana, EGTI provides vocational training for a variety of jobs in the hotel, food service and healthcare environments. Students can commute or live onsite at our hotel. It’s like a talent incubator!
During their time at EGTI, students work with our instructors to learn specific job skills, and then practice those skills through on-the-job training and an internship at Courtyard Muncie, Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Co., or IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. In addition, our students receive support and instruction on developing and improving social and life skills that will be key to success on the job, as well as instruction on navigating and utilizing community resources.
Although employability is the main focus for our students at EGTI, there is a lot of opportunity to embrace the whole student experience which includes expanding their social lives, increasing independence and learning skills in how to get along with a diverse group of people.
Over the ten week program, with the support of our team, students worked to pass two areas included in a Community Access Checklist. Successful completion meant students could independently walk to and shop at local stores, utilize public transportation, and spend time on campus at Ball State University.
Students had the option to choose an academic tutor, a fitness mentor, and/or a community mentor to work with on a weekly basis during their time with us—and they took full advantage. From Steak n’ Shake runs, trips to the mall, movie theater or bowling alley, to Zumba or water aerobics in our fitness center and swimming in the hotel, our students discovered more about themselves; making friends and many memories along the way.