Eager Students in the Richmond Area Find Work through Project SEARCH

By Matt Miller
VCU Communications and Public Relations

Seven student interns who participated in Project SEARCH at the VCU Medical Center recently graduated after spending a year learning to enhance their basic job skills and embrace the responsibilities of employment.

The VCU Medical Center held its second Project SEARCH awards ceremony for students, mentors and guest speakers to celebrate the students’ diverse internship experiences – each of which resulted in employment. Each of the students is from the Richmond City Public Schools.

The project provides an opportunity for students with disabilities to partake in many jobs during a yearlong internship that includes three 10-week rotations at the VCU Medical Center, a program participant.

Kyanna Nelson, a Project SEARCH participant and guest speaker at the ceremony, said she learned how to challenge herself—with different and new skills every day and learned how to have confidence in the workplace.

“This journey has been great and because one journey is over, doesn’t mean another isn’t [beginning],” said Nelson. “I’m going to keep striving for the best.”

Keagan Giles, a graduate of last year’s program, returned to share his continued successes in life.
“I’m glad I got the job here,” said Giles. “I learned a lot from the teachers and different departments. I want to thank Project SEARCH for having me (here) today.”

The program included contributors and guest speakers from the office of Special Education Instructional Services at the Virginia Department of Education and Richmond City Public Schools, among others.

Gregory Talley, manager with Aramark services, an organization that works in partnership with VCU and Project SEARCH, says he enjoys having the student interns on hand because they are very eager to learn.

Several department leaders at the VCU Medical Center also have utilized the students to help with day-to-day operations.

“The managers are referring us to other managers because they see the value in our students,” said Sheila Holmes, a Project SEARCH instructor and teacher with Richmond Public Schools.

Developed at Cincinnati Children's Hospital 15 years ago to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, Project SEARCH has a primary objective of securing competitive employment for people with disabilities and has more than 150 program sites in 39 states and four countries.  The program provides employers with dedicated staff for positions that are traditionally deemed high turnover.

For more information about Project SEARCH, visit www.projectsearch.us.