This summer, four young adults—Aaliyah, Marissa, Thaddaus, and Trey—embarked on an eight-week journey of personal growth, skill development, and friendship through the Easterseals Transitions Academy (ETA). From the beginning of June to the end of July, they lived together in a shared four-bedroom unit at Purdue University Fort Wayne student housing, supported by staff from Easterseals Northeast Indiana.
The Transitions Academy is a unique summer program designed to simulate independent living for young people with disabilities. It focuses on building essential life skills through real-world experiences—blending education, employment, and personal development in a structured yet empowering environment.
Learning Through Living
Each weekday was packed with opportunities to learn and grow. Mondays were dedicated to food and nutrition. The morning kicked off with cooking classes led by instructor Mike Ringley, a former general manager at IHOP with over a decade of experience. Ringley taught the participants how to plan meals, cook a variety of dishes, and handle kitchen equipment in the commercial-grade Easterseals Hospitality Lab.
More than just learning how to cook, students mastered food safety, meal balancing, and clean-up routines. Ringley emphasized variety and nutrition. “Each meal is balanced now: a meat, a starch, and a vegetable or fruit,” he explained.
And of course, the kitchen was a place for fun, too. One morning, when Aaliyah poured maple syrup on her hash browns, Trey jokingly shouted, “Abomination! Abomination!” sending everyone into fits of laughter.
Skill-Building Beyond the Kitchen
Wednesdays focused on essential independent living skills—banking, budgeting, public transportation, communication, and more. These sessions empowered participants with knowledge and tools for adulthood and self-reliance.
Living with roommates brought its own lessons in cooperation, boundaries, and compromise. The shared housing experience simulated college dorm life or apartment living—creating a realistic and safe space to practice social dynamics and conflict resolution.
Working at the Zoo: Teamwork in Action
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the ETA participants worked part-time at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, building valuable job experience and confidence. Trey and Thaddaus greeted guests at the entrance, handing out maps with a smile, while Aaliyah and Marissa staffed a conservation voting station, engaging with children and families as they cast their penny votes.
After lunch, all four donned brooms and dustpans to help keep the zoo’s walkways clean. Staff member Brynn Sigler accompanied them and observed how quickly they adapted. “The zoo is really pretty clean, but they stay busy, looking for even the smallest bit of trash,” she said.
Their attention to detail and enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed. Trey, for instance, carefully swept gravel back into a planting bed and helped a visitor find the nearest restroom. “They’re able to function very well independently,” said Mischa Myers from the zoo’s HR department.
Reflections on the Experience
Each participant found something to love about the Transitions Academy. Aaliyah appreciated spending time with friends and talking to kids at the penny station. Marissa valued the sense of freedom she felt throughout the summer.
“It feels nice to have freedom. I didn’t have to call my mom to ask if I can go out and hang out with friends,” she said. “It teaches you how to live on your own. You get work experience. You learn time management when you have to get up for work.”
The Easterseals Transitions Academy is more than just a summer program—it’s a stepping stone to independence. Through structured support, community involvement, and shared living, it prepares young adults with disabilities for a life of confidence, responsibility, and opportunity.