Pictured is the Trine University Esports Arena in Angola. Photo provided by Cardinal Services.

News Release

WARSAW — Cardinal Services has received a $10,000 grant from the 1st Source Foundation for their ES Gaming program. The funds will allow Cardinal participants to travel to Trine University’s Esports Arena in Angola and take part in esports competitions. 

Goals of the program are to increase self-sufficiency by improving academic, workforce readiness, foundational and social skills. Furthermore, it is expected that skills such as building capacity to maintain attention, adaptability, confidence and independence will all grow. Perhaps the most compelling anticipated outcome is that participants are expected to build connections with peers, mentors and members of the community who are also gamers. 

“1st Source Foundation is proud to support Cardinal Services’ ES Gaming program,” said Bill Burton, East Region President at 1st Source Bank. “The work that Cardinal Services does to provide equity, inclusion and access for people with disabilities has a wide impact in our community.”

In thanking 1st Source Foundation, Cardinal Services Executive Director Vickie Lootens said that Cardinal has already witnessed success in just the few times participants have traveled to Trine.  “People are connecting with others and making friends. One gentleman told me just the other day that he met a young man his age and that they have become good friends through their shared hobby of esports and have discovered that they have many other things in common as well. Esports is about so much more than gaming. It’s a pathway to building a diverse set of skills that is enriching the lives of the people we serve. We are grateful to 1st Source Foundation for this generous gift.”