Meet the four student interns gaining employability skills and work experience through Project SEARCH – a school-to-work transition program for students with disabilities.
Project SEARCH is delivered in partnership with March of Dimes Canada, the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s Markham YMCA and YRDSB. Students receive classroom instruction focused on employability and life skills, and take part in three volunteer internship rotations within YMCA departments. The program includes on-site job coaching by YRDSB staff and career planning and employment coaching from March of Dimes Canada.
In this video, meet the student interns and hear from partner organizations about how this program makes a difference from students.
“I love project search because I love working at my internship. My teacher and skills trainer are very caring and kind,” said Maria, a student intern. “Project SEARCH is helping me be independent, be part of a team and I am very happy.”
“We definitely saw an increase in her self esteem. She’s doing a lot of tasks that show a lot of responsibility,” said Narcisa, Maria’s mother.
“I like to work here at the YMCA because my co-workers, skills trainer, teacher and supervisor are nice and helpful. I get to talk to a lot of staff and it has been nice to get to know them,” said Erin, one of the student interns. “I like the Project SEARCH program because I’m learning to follow a schedule, be independent and learning new tasks that will give me skills that I can use.”
Project SEARCH partners were recently recognized by the Board of Trustees with an Applause award, honouring the difference this program is making for students.
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