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| Matthew Jenkins (left) and Ryan Key (right), who are graduates of the Project SEARCH® program at Southwestern Community College, now work at the Franklin Lowe’s. They’re pictured here with Becky Manring, a Project SEARCH® Skills Trainer. |
The Project SEARCH program does not waste time worrying about the disabilities of individuals like Matthew Jenkins and Ryan Key.
The program instead focuses on their abilities.
Thanks to that perspective – and the nurturing, encouragement and education Key and Jenkins received through Project SEARCH® – both young men are now gainfully employed in fulfilling roles at Lowe’s of Franklin.
“It is so exciting to see the transformation in the lives of the young people who have come through our program,” said Devonne Jimison, who has overseen SCC’s Project SEARCH® program since it began six years ago. “Matthew is a wonderful example of that. He took the program seriously and gave his best. We’re also extremely proud of Ryan for his determination to obtain a job, and we know he takes pride in his position at Lowe’s.”
A national nonprofit program, Project SEARCH® partners with businesses to create internships for young adults with disabilities. Participants ranging in age from 18 to 30 gain marketable and transferrable employability skills through the implementation of hands-on work experience during a series of three separate, 10-week internships matched to their individual interests, strengths and abilities.
At Lowe’s Jenkins and Key are responsible for retrieving shopping carts from the parking lot. They also help lift heavier items into customers’ vehicles.
“In our current experience, our associates who graduated from Project SEARCH® are adequately
prepared and are able to perform their duties and responsibilities successfully,” said Joshua Patton, Assistant Store Manager of Operations, Lowe’s Franklin. “We appreciate the opportunity to work together with them to connect with potential associates in our local region who are inspired to serve customers and our community.”
Jenkins was part of SCC’s first class of Project SEARCH® graduates in 2015, and he’s been employed by Lowe’s for almost two years.
“I like being outside, and I like the people here.” Jenkins said. “Project SEARCH® gave me more confidence in myself.”
Jenkins has been supervising Key, who was hired in October.
Key, who is now 21, came through the Project SEARCH® this past year – the program’s first year to be hosted at SCC.
“It was difficult until I got used to it,” Key said of the program. “Then it started getting easier for me. I’m more active and more responsible now.”
Graduates of SCC’s program are currently working throughout the college’s service area of Jackson, Macon, Swain Counties and the Qualla Boundary.
Seven students are currently serving their internships at SCC and will be eligible for employment upon graduation in May.
“I’m thankful for companies like Lowe’s that take a chance on a population that is underused in the employment field,” Jimison said. “Like Matthew and Ryan, our current interns have a lot to offer the world. We know they will be successful once they graduate and enter the workforce.”
Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC is not a formal partner of Project SEARCH. To learn more about SCC’s Project SEARCH® program, potential employers and prospective students can contact Jimison at devonnej@SouthwesternCC.edu or 828.339.4486.
