A project helped those with disabilities take the next step in their career.
Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort from Apollo Career Center, Marimor Schools, Mercy Health - St. Rita's, and Opportunities with Disabilities that helps students with disabilities receive on-the-job training through internship and volunteer rotations in different areas of a hospital environment.
Andrea Bourassa, Fisher Deeds, Joseph Frazier, Alexi Rieman, and Rayna woods all graduated from the program during a ceremony held at St. Rita's Graduate Medical Education Center.
"It can be any kind of disability, it can be any kind of person that wants to learn valuable work skills," said Leigh Taylor, Project SEARCH instructor. "Anything that will help them get a leg up and a better resume experience."
Intern and volunteer work includes environmental services, patient transport, volunteer service, gift shop, etc. Many students who have gone through the program stay and work at the hospital where they interned and volunteered at.
"Over seventeen of my students have been hired by the hospital, and are still here, "said Taylor. "So if they do a great job it's something that shows the hospital that these employees really want to work here."
Since launching nine years ago, the project has had 89% of graduates placed in jobs. The training gives each graduate a sense of responsibility as well as being guided by mentors.
"A better real-world experience in working with mentors, and understanding that time management, and understanding that they are accountable for that position," said Taylor.
And those working with the hospital say that they wanted to help in the medical field to help people.
"I'm looking forward to helping them out if they need help," said Andrea Bourassa.
Press Release from Mercy Health-St Rita's: Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center is excited to celebrate the Project SEARCH Class of 2022, with a special graduation ceremony at noon on Thursday, May 19 in the Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Graduate Medical Education Center.
Project SEARCH is a program of collaboration between Apollo Career Center, Mercy Health - St. Rita’s Medical Center, local schools and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).
Each year, the health system hosts a group of high-school aged students with disabilities. It’s an opportunity for these young men and women to receive on-the-job training through internship rotations in different areas of the hospital environment such as environmental services, patient transport, volunteer office, gift shop, fitness center, communications, grounds keeping, Mom and Baby, among others.
“Project SEARCH immerses students into a real work atmosphere from day one to give real world experiences,” said Aimee Kuhlman, director of Environmental Services, Linen and Patient Transport for Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center. “Among other skills, students are taught workplace safety, team building, professional etiquette, technology, financial literacy, customer service skills, and they get to practice professionalism with support from job coaches and mentors.”
St. Rita’s works with Apollo Career Center to prepare the interns for fulfilling and productive jobs after high school. Since launching nine years ago, 89 percent of the Project SEARCH graduates were placed in jobs. Over the years, St. Rita’s has hired 17 interns from the program.
“The program adds value to the community greatly by teaching and training these students who are an untapped and underused workforce,” said Leigh Taylor, Project SEARCH instructor at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center. “By hiring a person with a disability, area businesses are showing others that they are open to working with a community of folks that bring a great work ethic, dedication, and positive attitude into their work place.”
The program not only provides interns with support to find employment, but also helps them to maintain it once employed. That includes offering interns help with driver’s training, accessing benefits, and other important assistance that enables them to grow into confident, independent citizens. For more information about Mercy Health’s Project SEARCH program, visit mercy.com.
