Darien Project SEARCH Welcomes First Group Of Interns

Darien CT

23 February, 2022

5:43 PM

Description

DARIEN, CT — A special internship program for adults with disabilities recently launched in Darien, made possible through a partnership between Abilis and Darien YMCA. According to a news release provided by Abilis, Project SEARCH welcomed its first four interns, all adults with special needs, who will embark on an eight-month internship program to learn new job skills. The Darien YMCA is the first Y in the country to host the Project SEARCH program. The Darien Foundation, a community-based public charity, funded the technology used in the program. Darien First Selectman Monica McNally and Connecticut State Representative (141st District) Terrie Wood recently stopped by the program to meet the interns and staff running the program and get a feel for the job training that will take place during the program. "It was a pleasure to receive a tour of the new Abilis program, Project SEARCH, located at the Darien YMCA," McNally said in a news release. "While the facility is very nice, it was the enthusiasm of staff and participants that I found particularly remarkable. Project SEARCH provides a wonderful opportunity for participants to learn skills that will enable them to qualify for jobs and become more fully engaged members of our community." Project SEARCH's eight-month internship program helps young adults with disabilities who have the goal of being competitively employed. Abilis runs two Project SEARCH programs: one at Greenwich Hospital that has been in place for the past several years and focuses on hospital-related jobs, and this new Project SEARCH program in partnership with Darien YMCA, which offers job training in different departments, including the childcare center. According to Abilis, the program offers total immersion in the workplace and facilitates the teaching and learning process, as well as the acquisition of employability and marketable work skills. Interns participate in three unpaid internships throughout the program and explore a variety of career paths. Along the way, the interns increase their independence, self-confidence and self-esteem, preparing them for future employment. "Abilis is thrilled to partner with the Darien YMCA and expand the Project SEARCH program to the Darien community," Abilis CEO Amy Montimurro said in a news release. "Abilis believes each person should have the opportunity to live, work and take an active role in their community and deserves a full and meaningful life. Learning these important job skills in a structured and supportive environment helps set up our program participants for success and more independence, which are so crucial when supporting individuals with disabilities." Darien YMCA CEO Jennifer Gardner said it was exciting to host Abilis and Project SEARCH at the Darien YMCA. "We are the first Y in the country to host the Project SEARCH program and I would love to see Darien be a model for other Y's," Gardner said in a news release. "It's also wonderful to have the Project SEARCH interns working side-by-side with our team. The interns are excited about learning new skills and our staff has been happy to help participate in that learning process." Abilis, the Darien YMCA and the Project SEARCH program also collaborate with local school districts and the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services. Project SEARCH is a national program that was developed at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center as a business-led, work-preparation program for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Most participants are enrolled while transitioning from high school to work. According to Abilis, the program has traditionally been at hospitals. The Darien YMCA is the first community Y in the country to host the program. The hallmark of Project SEARCH is total workplace immersion, which facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training. Project SEARCH's primary objective is to secure competitive employment for every program participant. Abilis also thanked The Darien Foundation, a local nonprofit that awards grants for technology and capital initiatives which promote and strengthen the community of Darien, for a $65,838 grant. Ward Glassmeyer, chairman of the board of The Darien Foundation, noted collaborations like this were central to the foundation's mission. "We were proud to play a role in the launch of Project SEARCH," Glassmeyer said in a news release, "and to support the wonderful work being done here by Abilis and the Darien YMCA." To be eligible for Project SEARCH, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30 and have a developmental disability, eligible for development or disabilities services, and want to work competitively, according to Abilis. If the young adult is currently a high school student, a recommendation is required by their school district. For other young adults, tuition is paid by the Department of Developmental Resources (for those eligible) or a family may choose to pay privately. The next classes of Project SEARCH begin at Greenwich Hospital in September 2022 and at the Darien YMCA in January 2023. Applications for the next Project SEARCH sessions are currently being accepted, and families interested in learning more can attend the Project SEARCH Information Session being held at the Darien YMCA on March 16 at 5 p.m. Further information can be found at www.abilis.us and darien-ymca.org.