November 2021
David Dreith, CEO Easterseals Crossroads, joins Indy Now Fox 59 on Veterans Day to talk about services for veterans at Easterseals Crossroads.
Crossroads Document Services Partners with La Voz for Digital Collection
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October 2021
During National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2021, WISH-TV Katiera Winfrey speaks with Matt and Toney – employees from local restaurant the Garrison.
Pathways to Opportunity
Pathways to Opportunity is a new program of Easterseals Crossroads for adults who are seeking a long-term career opportunities. There is a tremendous need in our community for a program designed to assist individuals with disabilities leave poverty and move to an independent lifestyle based on successful, desired employment.
Our director of the employment division Marjorie Duryea answered a few questions about this unique program.
What makes the Pathways to Opportunity Program unique or different from other employment programs?
The program is unique because Easterseals Crossroads will have the flexibility and resources to provide the specific services that each individual needs and desires, without the usual constraints that come with existing funding sources. The program will allow us to serve those who are currently left out of other funding sources and programs. Easterseals has a commitment from several key businesses to provide opportunities for training, employment and a career path for participants within their companies.
“Easterseals Crossroads has successfully connected people with disabilities to gainful employment for decades, but we’ve recognized that if we are to move the needle in moving people with disabilities out of poverty, we need to do more than help them find jobs. We need to address all the factors in their lives that have led to poverty disproportionately affecting people with disabilities.
Our Pathways to Opportunity approach will not only serve the whole person, but we will be engaging the whole household,” said David Dreith, President/CEO, Easterseals Crossroads
How were we able to create and offer this new program?
We responded to a request for proposals from the Lilly Endowment called Enhancing Opportunities. Through this grant, the Endowment was seeking proposals from organizations to help individuals in Indianapolis overcome the challenges of poverty and financial insecurity. Based on our experience and programs, we are acutely aware that disability is both a cause and a consequence of poverty, and for this reason determined that this grant was a perfect fit to our mission.
Additionally, while we already offer employment services for adults with disabilities, there are limitations in accessibility to services, what services can be provided and how they are provided due to specific funding streams. We also know that there are a large group of individuals with disabilities in our community who need employment services and supports, but who are not being served due to the constraints of funding sources. We saw the need and the opportunity to utilize our expertise and experience with disability and employment using a new and different approach.
What are the program goals and who will be served by this program?
The goal of Pathways to Opportunity is to assist individuals with disabilities as they move from poverty to self-sufficiency through education, training and employment. This is a five-year project, and we plan on serving 150 individuals. The program will serve individuals with disabilities who are experiencing financial instability or living in poverty and reside in Marion county.
In addition to these criteria, the ideal candidates will be those who are seeking full-time employment, who are willing and able to eliminate dependency on public benefits and who are willing to commit to long-term participation in the Pathways program. Services provided will include
- case management
- job skills training
- financial literacy and coaching
- academic tutoring
- building social capital
- job search, job placement and job supports
We will be able to help fund training and educational pursuits and address key barriers that may affect success. Each participant will be assigned to work with a career navigator who will provide individualized, high-touch, comprehensive support to help achieve special career and life goals. We officially started program planning and implementation in July 2021. We have hired our program manager and some of the staff and hope to begin enrolling participants by the end of 2021.
How do people sign up for the program? Once a person is identified as a qualified participant, what happens next?
We anticipate referrals coming from some of our own existing programs, as well as our network of Pathways partners. Each person referred will be interviewed to determine eligibility and program compatibility. Once that has been established, the participant will be assigned to a career navigator who will facilitate a comprehensive needs assessment and assist in developing a personalized employment plan.
How do we plan to engage other agencies within our community to deliver services?
Pathways will engage other agencies in our community by developing mutually beneficial partnerships through shared resources and referrals.
What does a qualified candidate look like in terms of success?
Success will be defined by each individual meeting a specific goal identified in the personal employment and life plan. This will include securing and maintaining a job that will put the participant on a path to self-sufficiency. A good job will be those paying $18 or more per hour with benefits including health coverage. A promising job is defined as one that puts a person on a path to a good job.
What is success for this program?
Success will measured in part through the metrics listed below. Success will also be measured by our ability to sustain the Pathways program beyond the five-year grant period by proving that the model is both effective and relevant in our community to reduce poverty for people with disabilities. Another long-term success will be achieved when an individual is able to break the cycle of generational poverty within the family.
- 90% of those served will become employed
- 30% will achieve jobs paying $18 per hour
- 90% will realize household income growth from start to end of program
- 80% will maintain employment 90 days
- 75% will maintain employment 6 months
- 90% will complete work readiness training
- 90% will complete financial literacy training
- 30% will complete formal certification training in a specific occupation
- 75% will participate in the Circles program to build their social capital with a high level of satisfaction, and to meet these goals
Contact us for more information about the Pathways to Opportunity program.
Child Passenger Safety Week Inspection Sites
This week is Child Passenger Safety Week. Every day across America, parents and caregivers drive young children to and from school, daycare, the store, and around town in car seats and boosters. Yet nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, which means your child may not be traveling as safely as possible.
The goal of Child Passenger Safety Week is to make sure your child is in the correct car seat, that it’s properly installed and used, and that it’s registered with its manufacturer to ensure you receive important safety updates.
Here is a list of inspection stations; please note that all site inspections are by appointment only.
Automotive Safety Program
1130 West Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202
Contact: Marsha, Rosy or Erin at 317-274-2977 or autosfty@iu.edu
By Appointment Only; virtual appointments are available
Spanish Speaking Technicians and other language interpreters available.
Request an appointment by completing the Car Seat Education Appointment Request form.
The Rose Project Counseling & Consulting, LLC.
1311 N. Arlington Ave., Suite 102, Indianapolis, IN 46219
Contact: Brittany Veal at 317-931-9338 or brittanyveal.roseproject@gmail.com
By Appointment Only
Empower Inspire Life Changes LLC
4126 East 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46201
Contact: Nikita King at 317-909-7683 or nikita@empowerinspirechg.org
By Appointment Only
1 Life 2 Live CPR, LLC
11903 E. Welland St., Suite I, Indianapolis, IN 46229
By Appointment Only; Inspections Only
Contact: Kiya Beard at 317-983-1210 or 1life2livecpr@gmail.com
Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202
By Appointment Only
Contact 317-499-4779 (text or call)
Marion County Public Health Department
3838 N. Rural St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
By Appointment Only
Contact: Constance Cowling at 317-221-2045
Appointments available in Spanish
Indianapolis Fire Department
4155 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46205
By Appointment Only
Contact: Clara Simeone at 317-327-7956
Franciscan Health Indianapolis
8111 S. Emerson Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46237
By Appointment Only
Contact: Sharilyn Wagner at 317-528-5774
Appointments available in Spanish
Decatur Twp. Fire Department
5410 S. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46221
Schedule on-line appointment at www.decaturfire.org
Contact :Brad Jewell
Community East Marion County
1500 N. Ritter, Indianapolis, IN 46219
By Appointment Only
Contact: Kristina Lind at klind@ecommunity.com
Appointments available in Spanish
For additional resources please visit
Following Ryder
In 2019, ten-year-old Ryder was featured in our annual report. We featured him for his progress with physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions as they helped him make strides toward independence.
Ryder was born at 38 weeks. Doctors suspected that there would be some difficulties, but did not diagnose Fraser syndrome until several years later. Everyday life for Ryder and his family has always included ventilators, oxygen tanks and breathing machines; a nurse helps care for Ryder during the day. Ryder was intubated at birth and in 2019, he was just beginning to experience the freedom of being off his vent. “We were told that he would never come off the vent during his life, but he has done that,” said dad Dustin.
In 2019, some of Ryder’s therapy goals included learning to use his left hand to grab things; standing independently; taking supported steps using his gait trainer; communicating his needs with devices; and pulling himself up. “I would love to see Ryder walking independently within the next five years. I would love to be able to see him crawl into the car and car seat without us having to physically lift him. Those would be amazing milestones if we could hit those,” said mom Katy in 2019.
Ryder has made some significant progress in the past two years – he is using his left hand for grasping with a much stronger grip; he is able to stand for longer periods of time by himself; he received his own gait trainer in 2020 and has quickly adapted to taking steps and walking for measurable distances; he is benefiting from the consistency of therapy in learning to communicate his needs; and he is mastering the ability to pull himself up to stand and climb stairs.
This past year was a tough one for Ryder and his family. In January 2020, Ryder became very sick and was in the hospital for six weeks. It was a very scary time for the family as Ryder had pneumonia and a fungal infection in his lungs (aspergillus). A chest tube was used to drain fluid out of his plural cavity in his left lung, but soon after that was healed, he developed a very large abscess in the left lung that was about half the size of his lung. Another chest tube was used to drain that fluid.
There were talks about having surgery to remove part of his lung, but luckily Ryder came home from the hospital with the second chest tube around the time COVID outbreaks peaked. Ryder had to take a six- month break from therapy sessions to heal and he did lose some strength during that time. Much of that strength has now been regained through hard work during therapy sessions.
“Therapists at Easterseals Crossroads know Ryder really well; they know how stubborn he can get and they don’t necessarily take it easy on him during those times. Seeing how much he has progressed in the last two years has made us really excited for the next two years. We would really love to see him stand independently for long periods of time and we would love to see him take some steps without the need of his gait trainer,” said Katy.
“We just keep going. We put Ryder out there and live each day to the fullest. We’re not held back by disability,” said Katy.
Military and First Responders’ Day Sponsor Indiana State Fair
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 11, 2021) – Easterseals Crossroads, a local nonprofit organization providing disability services, is proud to cosponsor Military and First Responders’ Day at the Indiana State Fair on Friday, August 20 with partner Redux. First responders, current and former military and their families will receive free admission with a valid ID presented at the gate.
Easterseals Crossroads will host several booths that day along the street near the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand highlighting the organization’s services, including autism and behavior services, veteran services, document services and its assistive technology program. The main Easterseals Crossroads booth will also feature a letter writing campaign — inviting Indiana State Fair attendees to visit the booth and write a letter to service members or first responders.
At 6 p.m. in the Pioneer Village Opry House at the State Fair, Easterseals Crossroads will present a special tribute program, “Honoring Hoosier Heroes: A Tribute to Our Military and First Responders.”
“The 40-minute program will include military veterans, speakers from Gold Star/Blue Star Families, Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and Indianapolis Fire Department, along with color guard and the singing of God Bless America and The Star-Spangled Banner,” said Easterseals Crossroads President and CEO David Dreith. “We are honored to be able to pay tribute to those we have lost, and we invite their families and the general public to attend this program.”
In addition, Easterseals Crossroads is presenting the “Remembering Our Fallen” from Indiana exhibit at the Hoosier Lottery Expo Hall for the run of the Indiana State Fair through August 22.
“Remembering Our Fallen” is a touring photographic memorial honoring Indiana’s military who have fallen from The War on Terror since September 11, 2011. The exhibit includes both military and personal photos honoring the Hoosier men and women who have lost their lives for our country. Members of the Easterseals Crossroads veteran services team are available to speak about the exhibit and veterans services at Easterseals Crossroads.
“Our hope is people will never take their freedom for granted and know they are being protected at all costs,” said Buzz Smith, community outreach coordinator for veteran services at Easterseals Crossroads. “Hoosiers should feel safer knowing there are many more of these heroes all around the world who have given up everything so we can feel safe at home.”
Indianapolis-based Redux is partnering with Easterseals Crossroads to cosponsor Military and First Responders’ Day. Individuals in attendance on August 20 who visit the Redux booth will experience Redux’s patented technology that completely removes moisture from hearing devices in just 15 minutes. Redux representatives will demonstrate the drying process with hearing aids, phones and tablets. Hearing injury is the top service-related medical issue for veterans, and many veterans wear hearing devices as a result. It can take 25 to 30 days for a veteran’s hearing device to be repaired.
To learn more about the “Remembering Our Fallen” exhibit and veteran services at Easterseals Crossroads, watch a video here.
For more about Easterseals Crossroads or to donate, visit www.eastersealscrossroads.org.
To learn more about Redux services, please visit www.redux.com.
About Easterseals Crossroads
As one of 68 Easterseals affiliates, Easterseals Crossroads has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for more than 85 years. Whether helping someone improve physical mobility, return to work or simply gain greater independence for everyday living, Easterseals Crossroads offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges and achieve personal goals. We provide top-quality, family-focused and innovative services tailored to meet the specific needs of the individuals we serve. For more, visit eastersealscrossroads.org.
About Redux
Redux has over 30 issued U.S. and international patents and uses this patented drying process to remove moisture from hearing instruments and electronics. Since 2013, Redux has been saving phones, cameras, tablets and other consumer devices. More than 2 million customers have subscribed to Redux’s drying services at over 2,000 wireless communication retailers. Now this innovative technology is changing the lives of the millions of individuals who depend on hearing instruments to improve their lives. The Redux dryer safely and quickly removes all moisture from hearing aids, extending their life and keeping their users in the conversation. To learn more about Redux and its drying technology, visit www.redux.com.
August 2021
Easterseals Crossroads sponsored Military and First Responders’ Day at the Indiana State Fair in 2021. We were honored to present Remembering Our Fallen – a photographic memorial dedicated to Hoosiers who lost their lives serving our country since September 11, 2001. WRTV attended our Honoring Hoosier Heroes program on Friday, August 20.
August 2021
Easterseals Crossroads sponsored Military and First Responders’ Day at the Indiana State Fair in 2021. We were honored to present Remembering Our Fallen – a photographic memorial dedicated to Hoosiers who lost their lives serving our country since September 11, 2001. WISH spoke with us about the exhibit on August 18, 2021.
June 2021
WISH TV visited our iCan Bike Camp on June 22, 2021, to learn how we work with iCan Shine to bring this camp to Indianapolis each year so that children and adolescents with disabilities can learn to ride a two-wheeled bike.
