Evan Clifford was excited to complete his year-long Project SEARCH internship last spring. With work experience at the Hospitals of Providence’s security, telemetry and engineering departments, he felt confident and ready to start a new job.
“I'm looking forward to getting hired,” Clifford said. He was one of 10 interns from PROJECT Search’s sixth cohort who completed the program in May. “I could be the person that people are looking for.”
Project SEARCH is an international program that prepares adult students with disabilities for competitive and integrated employment.
Since 2019, the Socorro Independent School District has collaborated with the Hospitals of Providence on Project SEARCH to provide students with year-long internships. Interns acquire competitive, transferable, and marketable skills while also gaining independence, confidence, self-esteem, and maturity.
The program hosted a completion ceremony for the interns and their families and friends to celebrate their accomplishments at the Hospitals at Providence East.
In the US, the national average of employment for individuals with disabilities is 17%, said Monica Gasca, SISD Project SEARCH instructor. However, the majority of students who have completed the Project SEARCH program at SISD have successfully found sustainable employment. Last year’s cohort achieved an impressive 100% employment rate, highlighting the importance and effectiveness of Project SEARCH in transforming lives.
“Not only is this program changing that entrance in life, but it also really changes the dynamic and changes the families,” Gasca said. “They are now able to see their young adults as self-sufficient and working and just have a purpose in life.”
Dominic Comer is one of the many successful participants in the program. He was hired to work in the hospital’s post-anesthesia care unit.
“I will be able to work here and be able to help out people, not just physically, but emotionally as well,” Comer said. “Working in a hospital honestly, it seemed like the best idea for me as I want to be able to always help people and make sure that they are well, happy and healthy.”