Author Bio: Ellie Wenger is an individual with down syndrome who worked with Corvilla’s Employment Services to obtain vocational skills for future opportunities. She learned about the Erskine Green Training Institute and visited the facility beforehand to see if it would be a good fit.
I recently decided to go to Erskine Green Training Institute because I was interested in working as a server assistant. I made the trip to Muncie, Indiana, and stayed from October to December 2021.
While in Muncie, I lived in my own dorm at the Marriott Hotel near other students. It was my first time living away from home. I learned how to greet guests and seat them, ride public transportation, all about stranger danger, how to manage my medications, how to keep up with the laundry, and time management.
When I came back to Goshen, I was able to use the skills that I learned at Erskine Green to get a job at Culver’s as a food runner. I take food to customers at the drive-through and in the restaurant. I love working at Culver’s because the customers are nice, and I enjoy my paycheck. And I enjoy the tips from the older customers.
I am thankful for my experience at Erskine Green. It has helped me become more independent by helping me to learn how to ride the access van, make my own meals, wash my own clothes, and how to be safe by myself at home. And I’m loving it.