In a hallway at Cone Hospital, there is a young man pushing a custodian cart. He stops and smiles at families in waiting areas before pulling a disinfectant wipe out and cleaning a bench. His name is Garrett Westfall, a Grimsley High student taking part in a special program known as Project SEARCH. Tara Barker, instructor at Cone, describes Garrett as a “true personality,” confirmed by his wide-armed stance and smile for the camera.
Project SEARCH started in 1996, seeking to provide individuals with developmental disabilities with unique internship opportunities. This is an international program, empowering scholars to build meaningful employment connections. Garrett is gaining valuable skills through his work, notably the independence needed to complete his duties as assigned. “The program builds individual confidence and self-esteem, develops real-world job experience, and encourages independence,” says Barker. It is different than just going to high school. “We get real job experience,” says intern Tshaun Gibson.
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At Atrium Health, Alan Butler is currently on rotation in equipment sanitation. He looks the part, donning scrubs as he pushes a cart full of medical supplies in need of cleaning. This is a key component of the internship process: station rotations and continuously building new skills. Each intern completes a rotation of three eight-to-10-week internships in various departments across the hospitals. Before each internship begins, the student completes an interview and after the internship is complete, they update their resumes with relevant, new skills.
Hospitals are a complex maze of wings, individual units, and unique spaces to serve patients, families and workers. Lauren Muirhead, instructor at Atrium, says learning to navigate the hospitals serves as a lesson in independence itself.
Tucked away in the maternity wing at Cone sits Ryenne Gilmore, an intern working on preparing booklets informing new moms on how to care for their babies. Ryenne dreams of becoming a doula, and this internship is laying the groundwork for future success. On-site job coaches ascertain the interests of the scholars, placing them in internships that are relevant to their future dreams.
This is not an effort that can be completed alone. There is a community of dedicated individuals to ensure the long-term success of the scholars. The Arc of Greensboro and UNC TEACCH offer job coaches who evaluate the progress of the interns, while counselors from The State of North Carolina Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities division provide continued, long-term support for the interns.
The Guilford Guarantee is a promise that every student graduates with more than just a high school diploma. They enter the post-secondary world with a plan for life after graduation. That is exactly what Project SEARCH accomplishes for students with disabilities. But the program also means so much more to the scholars. “It means helping others and making community and one day getting a job. It shows that people with disabilities can do the same things as other people,” says intern Carlos Matthews. Instructor Muirhead also feels that “Project SEARCH doesn't just prepare our student-interns for a job; it empowers them to find their purpose and value in their community."
In Guilford County Schools, the Guilford Guarantee serves all scholars. One promise. One future. Infinite possibilities.
