Fort Wayne, Ind. — The Foellinger Foundation has awarded a grant totaling $390,000 over three years to support the operations of Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana, with a focus on employment services and wellness coordination.
The grant funds will help Easterseals Arc support equity, inclusion and access for people with disabilities in Allen County. This includes offering a variety of pathways to employment such as career exploration, volunteer work, hands-on training, mentorships, supported work groups, individual placements, and employer training on inclusive workplaces. The goal is to see people increase their ability to earn a living wage, sustain employment, and gain new skills and knowledge that will make them increasingly valuable members of the workforce.
In addition to employment, the funds will help Easterseals Arc achieve goals in health and wellness. With wellness coordination services and an on-site health clinic based at Easterseals Arc, supported individuals will improve their ability to monitor their own health and gain understanding of their health and behaviors that affect it. Goals include reductions in emergency room visits, choking incidents and seizures.
The Foellinger Foundation grant will be made in equal installments of $130,000 each over the next three years.