Grantee Spotlight: Helping individuals with disabilities lead an independent life
In 2013, Ball Brothers Foundation made an $80,000 grant to The Arc of Indiana Foundation to support architectural drawings for what would become the nation’s first-of-a-kind hotel that would also serve as a training institute for individuals with disabilities located in downtown Muncie. Named “Erskine Green Training Institute”—in part after baseball legend Carl Erskine—EGTI has become a hallmark in downtown Muncie.
In the years since, Ball Brothers Foundation funding has helped to support EGTI’s programming, recruitment, marketing, and general operations.
This summer, we checked in with Daniel Gurulé, manager of donor relations at EGTI, to learn more about their mission and impact on Muncie, East Central Indiana and the state of Indiana.
How It All Began
Just a decade ago, Muncie’s downtown was in the midst of a major revitalization—new shops and restaurants were beginning to replace vacant storefronts. A redesign of the main street corridor was in progress. The convention center was bustling with conferences. But one thing was missing, a downtown hotel.
The timing couldn’t have been better. The Arc of Indiana—Indiana’s leading organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families—saw the opportunity to build a hotel in downtown Muncie, with a twist. The vision was bold. In addition to serving as a traditional hotel, the Courtyard Marriott would also provide training in hospitality, food service, healthcare, and inventory distribution to individuals with disabilities. The hotel would symbolize The Arc’s commitment to expanding job opportunities for people with disabilities , as they would comprise 20% of the hotel’s workforce.
Jeff and Jan Steck Huffman, advocates and parents, wanted better opportunities for their son Nash who has Down syndrome. While raising their son, they realized the lack of post-secondary and job training options available for individuals with disabilities. With support from The Arc of Indiana and overwhelming community backing for the training institute and teaching hotel, their dream of creating a program to empower people with disabilities to live independently became a reality. The training institute was then named after East Central Indiana native turned baseball legend Carl Erskine and Steve Green, a standout basketball player at Indiana University who went on to play in the NBA. Erskine and Green both had children with Down syndrome and became strong advocates.
Bricks from an original path underneath the hotel were restored during construction and are now featured on a wall in the hotel’s back patio. Many in support of EGTI’s mission purchase a brick to honor a student and to be part of this one-of-a-kind initiative.
A Bold Vision Realized
In 2015 after two years of construction, the downtown hotel opened, and the newly named Erskine Green Training Institute accepted its first cohort of students. Fast forward to today, and the program has benefited over 300 students , offering a 10-12 week college-like, residential experience at the hotel that also prepares them for the workforce. Students first learn job skills in an on-site skills lab—including front desk operations and housekeeping for hospitality, kitchen prep for the restaurant industry, and patient transport for medical settings. Students then master job skills by working on site at the hotel, 1925 PubHouse Courtyard, and IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. They learn to travel independently using the city bus system to get to work, attend on-campus events at Ball State University, and use meal cards to eat in the university’s dining facilities and at downtown Muncie restaurants. EGTI also focuses on developing students’ other independent living skills including budgeting, decision-making, and social etiquette.
The program draws students from across Indiana—and beyond. Nationally, the program stands out for helping individuals with disabilities pave a new path to independence. Practical job training helps students gain the skills and confidence needed for meaningful employment, while the program’s unique training to build independence gives participants newfound autonomy over their own life.
Finding a job as someone with a disability can be a challenge. In fact, the rate of people with disabilities that are employed in Indiana is only just over 20%. The EGTI turns this statistic around with 80% of all graduates employed. In fact, graduates from EGTI have gone on to secure employment with companies including Toyota, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kroger, IU Health, Indiana Wesleyan University, and more.
In reflecting on EGTI’s impact, Gurulé shared, “People have preconceived notions about those with disabilities. They will tell them what they can and cannot do based on their own perspectives. But people with disabilities have a voice too. They want to choose their best life, just like anybody else.”
Rony Warner
Rony’s Story
Born in Haiti, Rony Warner spent his early years in an orphanage and required surgery for a cleft palate. At four years old, he was adopted and moved to Winchester, Indiana. Throughout his life, Rony faced significant personal challenges, including schizophrenia, which caused auditory hallucinations, and dyslexia, making reading especially difficult. After graduating from high school, Rony was hit by a train which required him to relearn basic skills. Despite these overwhelming obstacles, Rony’s journey led him to EGTI’s patient transport program, where he found support and training needed to shape his own independent life.
During his time at EGTI, Rony was taught essential skills outside of his work program such as creating resumes, using public transportation, and maintaining a routine. Like many during the pandemic, Rony’s life was interrupted. The worldwide shutdown led the usual hands-on training program to temporarily shift to online learning. Impressed with Rony during his training, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital invited him to complete his program and begin work at the hospital where he is now a valued part-time employee. Known as “the encourager,” Rony brings positivity and dedication to his work.
Reflecting on his experience, Rony said, “Before my accident, I didn’t even think about working at a hospital, but they helped me, and now I want to do the same thing for other people.”
Living independently for over a year now, Rony manages daily responsibilities with confidence. He pays his own bills, cooks for himself, and commutes to work by foot or public transportation. His home is his sanctuary, a testament to the independence he gained at EGTI. In the future, Rony hopes to continue sharing his story and advocate for mental health awareness through public speaking engagements.
Rony’s journey is just one story that reflects the transformative power of EGTI’s programs, demonstrating the tremendous potential and promise of investing in programs that help individuals with disabilities to live independently and thrive. As Gurulé highlighted, “Individuals with disabilities are fully capable and deserving of work. For too long, society has underestimated their abilities, but that misconception is simply not true.”
Be a part of the impact
Ending the stigma surrounding individuals with disabilities is imperative to making the dream of having a career a reality for thousands of Hoosiers and beyond. If you, a family member, or a friend are interested in the life-changing vocational training that EGTI offers, we encourage you to go to erskinegreeninstitute.org to find out how to plan a visit, attend a Career Sampling Session, or apply to one of EGTI’s programs today!
Additionally, you can support future students by partnering with EGTI through a financial gift. Learn more: erskinegreeninstitute.org/giving/donate.