Real-World Experience Through Easterseals Employment Services

Real-World Experience Through Easterseals Employment Services

Students at Wayne High School are working in area businesses, thanks to a collaboration with Easterseals Northeast Indiana and its Easterseals Employment Services.

Pre-ETS Program Supports Student Growth

On a Thursday morning in spring, J’nylan and Taylor were working at Friends Too, a restaurant near the intersection of Illinois Road and Jefferson Boulevard.

Both students are getting their work experience at Friends Too through Easterseals Northeast Indiana’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). The program, part of Easterseals Employment Services, is designed to help students explore employment and education opportunities, including time working in participating businesses. Any student ages 14 to 22 with an IEP or 504 plan is eligible for Pre-ETS.

Hands-On Learning at Local Businesses

The two Wayne seniors took turns working in the dining area of the restaurant and in its kitchen. In the kitchen, Taylor stays busy loading and unloading the dishwasher and cleaning for most of her two-hour shift. As time allows, she pitches in on other cleaning, such as sweeping a part of the restaurant that opens only for rush periods.

“I like the work,” Taylor said. “I like to do the dishes. I like sweeping floors and cleaning windows.”

Career Skills That Build Futures

Taylor enjoys it enough that she expects to look for a job cleaning after high school. She also has taken classes in culinary work through Pre-ETS, so finding work as a cook is a possibility, too.

While Taylor was working behind the scenes, J’nylan was occupied in the front of Friends Too. He restocked holders at every table with packets of sweetener. He also washed windows, doors and door handles. Another part of his job is keeping bathrooms neat. J’Nylan said he enjoys the work, particularly cleaning windows and the front door, as well as sweeping and dusting.

Job Coaching Through Easterseals Employment Services

Job coaches from Easterseals Northeast Indiana accompany Pre-ETS students to their work sites, where they help train and supervise them as needed. Neither J’nylan nor Taylor require much supervision these days.

“They work very independently,” said job coach Catherine Kesith.

Positive Feedback From Local Employers

Friends Too hostess Vicki Hertenstein said the Pre-ETS students have been great to work with.

“It’s been awesome!” she said. “They’re polite. They listen. They do what they’re told. They’re good kids. It’s been a pleasant experience.”

Expanding Easterseals Employment Services Across Fort Wayne

Through Easterseals Employment Services, students like J’nylan and Taylor are gaining meaningful job skills that prepare them for life after high school. Their experiences are helping them build confidence and independence, while making valuable contributions to their work sites.

Students in Pre-ETS at Wayne High School also work at several other sites, including PHP and Ivy Tech Community College.