MUNCIE – The Muncie-based Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI) has received a $50,000 donation from the Pacers Foundation and Pacers Sports and Entertainment. The money will be used to purchase training equipment for the institute’s learning lab, which will be renamed the Indiana Pacers Learning Lab.The institute was established by the Arc of Indiana Foundation and provides training to people with disabilities in the food service, hospitality and healthcare industries. The first classes began in January in the Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center.

“The Pacers Foundation and Pacers Sports and Entertainment award will allow EGTI to purchase computers and software to teach EGTI students front desk agent skills, folding tables to teach laundry skills, metal food prep tables to teach food prep skills, and go pro cameras to create training videos for students,” said Jill Vaught, executive director of the Arc of Indiana Foundation. “All will be used onsite in the new Indiana Pacers Learning Lab. The Arc greatly appreciates the Pacers contribution to helping individuals with disabilities gain important job skills.”

Students at the institute receive classroom instruction learning specific job skills, then have the chance to put those skills into practice through on-the-job training and internships at Courtyard Muncie, Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Co. or IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

The donation will be presented Monday night at halftime of the Indiana Pacers game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Carl Erskine and Steve Green, after whom the institute is named, will accept the award.