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Project SEARCH program enters second year with new partner

2015-11-30
Photo of Cheyanne Ray
Cheyanne Ray of Franklin is one of seven interns in Southwestern Community College’s Project SEARCH® program.
 
Photo of Molly Shaw, Jean Bockstahler, Marie Jackson, Gene Robinson and Laura Smith.
Representatives of Webster Enterprises, which is working with SCC to offer Project SEARCH® this year, are, from left: Molly Shaw, Jean Bockstahler, Marie Jackson, Gene Robinson and Laura Smith.
 
Photo of Project SEARCH interns and members and Devonne Jimison
Project SEARCH® interns and members of their support team include, front row, from left: Tammy Woodring of Sylva; Katherine Lancaster, Cullowhee; Laura Smith, volunteer; Cheyanne Ray, Franklin; and Casey Holscher, Bryson City. Back row: Rebecca Patterson, job coach; Robbie Wagner, Whittier; Corey Hambrick, Sylva; Jon Davis, Sylva; and Devonne Jimison, SCC’s Project SEARCH® teacher.

Even at the age of 5, Cheyanne Ray of Franklin knew she wanted to work in a healthcare profession.

Thanks to a Project SEARCH® partnership between Southwestern Community College, Webster Enterprises, Smoky Mountain LME/MCO, Vocational Rehabilitation and Harris Regional Hospital – Ray’s dream is becoming a reality.

Project SEARCH® is a national non-profit program which partners with businesses to create internships for young adults with disabilities. Ray is one of seven students in SCC’s program currently attending classes and serving internships at Harris.

“I’ve already learned so much, and I’m hopeful about becoming a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant),” Ray said in an interview on Nov. 5. “I like helping people. I care about people and want to help them.”

This is the second year SCC’s overseen the Project SEARCH® program. Webster Enterprises joined the effort this fall as a partner.

“We are so thankful for Webster Enterprises’ involvement in this effort,” said Debbie Smith, Educational Opportunities director at SCC. “The folks at Webster Enterprises have a wealth of experience in helping special needs individuals succeed in life, so their support and insights are invaluable.”

Webster Enterprises provides a job coach, a paraprofessional and volunteers to the program.

The job coach and paraprofessional work individually with students to assist in setting up internships at the hospital. They also provide job training and job coaching to the students as they participate in three different work rotations.

“Webster Enterprises, Inc.  Is proud to be part of the Harris Project SEARCH® team for the 2015-2016 year,” said Gene Robinson, Webster Enterprise’s CEO. 

As students enter their third internships, Webster job coaches will assist Project SEARCH® staff members in finding jobs for the students – and they’ll continue to provide ongoing job coaching and support as needed when students graduate.

“It has been rewarding to be part of this program and a pleasure to see these delightful young students grow in this unique training program,” said Jean Bockstahler, education and training director at Webster Enterprises.

Ray and the other interns were introduced to Harris Regional department heads at a meeting in August and have been assisting a variety of departments across the hospital this fall.

Their goal is to complete the program in the spring and find employment soon after.

“My experience with Project SEARCH® has been great,” said Richard Burlett, director of EVS at Harris Regional. “My department has housed a handful of interns, which all have grown throughout the process. The highlight for me has been teaching the students to learn to deal/cope with real life work/experiences and seeing them excel in what they are doing.”

The first group of interns graduated this past June, and all five went on to find jobs.

“One of my favorite things about this program is that we focus on what these students can do,” said Devonne Jimision, SCC’s Project SEARCH® teacher. “In many cases, people often just notice what they can’t do. But our students have so much to offer the world, and seeing them develop confidence and succeed is so rewarding.”
For more information about the Project SEARCH® program, contact Jimison at devonnej@southwesterncc.edu  or 339.4486.
 

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