The 2017 commencement will be held at noon,Tuesday, May 30, at the St. Rita’s Medical Center Auxiliary Center. This class of interns represents Bluffton, Lima Senior High School, Allen East, Delphos and Elida high schools.

Graduates of Project Search will don caps and gowns for a commencement celebrating their accomplishments and successful completion of the work-training program.

Housed at St. Rita’s Medical Center, Project Search provides on-site job training for high school seniors with disabilities, and is a collaboration between the medical center, the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities (ACBDD), Marimor Industries and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD).

Students spend the school year transitioning through different internships at
 the medical center and are given support with mentors and skills trainers.

They also receive training on how to write a resume, apply for jobs and how
to interview for a job, according to Leigh Taylor, Project Search instructor.

“They learn to work independently, manage their time, take direction, practice safety and privacy rules, all along with improving their communication in the work place,” she said.

Interns must have completed their academic coursework at their respective
high schools and apply to the program. The end goal is to have interns find
employment in the community, Taylor said. This year, all seven Project Search
interns found jobs before graduation.