Since last year, the Employment Readiness Academy (ERA) teams from Easterseals Northeast Indiana have made a lasting impact at Silver Birch of Fort Wayne, a senior living and assisted living community on Hanna Street. Through eight-week sessions, participants in the Easterseals employment readiness program have gained valuable on-the-job experience while supporting kitchen, dining room, and housekeeping operations.
Their professionalism, dedication, and eagerness to learn have impressed Silver Birch staff so much that they requested the expansion of the program to a second location — Silver Birch at Cook Road.
“Honestly, it’s fantastic,” said Chef Lawrence Davis, who manages the kitchens at both Silver Birch facilities. “Some days, we might be shorthanded, and they fill the gap. They learn quick, and they’re ready to do what needs to be done.”
Chef Davis specifically requested the second Employment Readiness Academy at Cook Road after seeing firsthand how participants contributed to the daily flow of operations and brought positivity to the workplace.
Easterseals Northeast Indiana responded enthusiastically to the opportunity. Suzanne Vertigan, a team member with Easterseals, confirmed that the agency is actively planning to launch a program at the Cook Road facility. Depending on community needs, it may be another Employment Readiness Academy for adults or a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program for high school students preparing for the workforce.
On an average day at Silver Birch of Fort Wayne, three ERA participants assist with various tasks. These tasks rotate between departments:
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In the kitchen and dining room, participants bus dishes, wipe down tables and chairs, set tables, plate desserts, wash dishes, and serve meals to residents.
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In housekeeping, they support tasks like vacuuming, collecting laundry, and taking out the trash in residents’ rooms.
According to Darcell Hermann, the Easterseals staff member who supervises the ERA team at Silver Birch, the experience builds more than just practical skills—it builds confidence.
“Our participants take pride in the work they do,” she said. “They show up ready to contribute and grow every day.”
Participants Amanda and Solomon, who both completed the program in summer 2022, shared their enthusiasm:
Amanda said, “I like bussing the dishes. Wiping down the tables. I like serving meals.”
Solomon added, “I’m learning a lot of skills from housekeeping and the kitchen… There’s always something different. They’re trying new things.”
The Easterseals employment readiness initiative is more than a job training program—it’s a pathway to independence, inclusion, and dignity. For many participants, it’s a first step toward future employment, and for partners like Silver Birch, it’s a meaningful collaboration that enriches both their operations and their community.