Positively Javon

While not the most talkative, 18-year-old Javon Hill enjoys being around people. And he’s proving this through his participation in Project Search’s internship program at Beacon Health System.

The goal of Project Search, a partnership with Memorial Hospital, Vocational Rehabilitation, Adec and South Bend Community School Corporation, is for students to gain employment by graduation.

Javon Hill

A graduate of Washington High School, Javon was selected to serve three, 10-week rotations in various Beacon departments. So far, he’s worked at Memorial Hospital’s Information Desk, helping direct visitors and answer phones. He’s also worked in Beacon Human Resources, answering phones, tracking the steps surrounding new associates and assisting with new associate name badges.

“It’s been a lot fun. I’ve worked with nice people,” says Javon.

Javon has been working with Julie Ashcraft, Human Resources Assistant, who describes him as a quick learner. “He is kind-hearted, an attentive listener, helpful and acts very professional in the office,” says Julie of Javon. “He has a very positive outlook on life and carries the attitude of, ‘If I set my mind to it I can do it. If I don’t have the skill set, I will learn it!’”

When he’s not at Beacon, Javon is busy writing poetry. He’s written 45 poems and it’s his dream to do it professionally.

“With poetry I can express myself in a way people don’t really understand about me. It helps me escape reality and my situation being in a wheelchair,” he says.

Because of the experience at Beacon, Javon has a better appreciation for how a hospital functions. The New Orleans native is no stranger to the health care setting. Diagnosed with the neuromuscular disease mitochondrial myopathy at age 5, Javon is used to visiting medical specialists.

Despite his physical limitations, Javon remains passionately upbeat about a situation he cannot change, and thus, embraces who he is.

“Be who you are,” explains Javon. “My illness is my motivation to do more and push myself.”