LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - "They grow so fast, and so I get a lot of parents that are saying the biggest thing they see is growth, they're more independent, they make more decisions, and so we give them that choice," said Leigh Taylor, coordinator and instructor for Project Search.
Nine interns from Project Search turning their tassels on Friday as they graduate from the program and move into the next chapter of their lives. Project Search is a program that develops soft skills for young adults with developmental disabilities to prepare them for the workforce.
Nine interns from Project Search turning their tassels on Friday as they graduate from the program and move into the next chapter of their lives.
For Project Search coordinator Leigh Taylor, this program can unveil new talents that the interns never knew they had and make them feel empowered in their job search.
"The biggest thing is, sometimes when they've tried to get a job on their own, it's almost like the door gets slammed in their face just because they maybe can't speak very well, or their posture isn't the greatest, or maybe their hands fly up, whatever - this gives them that opportunity to show I can do this job," said Taylor. "It's kind of like the backwards door, like they open the door first, and then they show what they can do, then they hire them. That's the biggest thing about Project Search, is giving them that chance to show their abilities - not that I have a disability, but that I am an abled, working adult, and that I can make money and pay taxes and do what everybody else can do."
For the interns, the growth they have made since they started is something they will take with them into the workforce. These two graduates are overcoming their disabilities and defying the odds to achieve their dreams.
"It's bittersweet, because I finally found my group here, but I'm also happy that I can possibly find a job in the hospital, which is what I've wanted to do since I was a very little girl," said Abby Blevins. "I remember saying in a video that I did for Cincinnati that I wanted to be a doctor, and here I am in a hospital. It's amazing because I'm finally achieving my dreams when I have this horrible disorder that could possibly hold me back, but I'm overcoming it, and I'm a TSC warrior and giving it all I got."
"When I started out, I was very shy; I did not want to be here, but right now, I'm happy that I joined, and I feel like it's brought me closer to a lot of people and has made me open up a lot," said Grace Lacy. "I'd like to thank my grandma and grandpa, because without them, I have no idea where I'd be."
