Project Amazing!

Project Search graduates and Beacon associates: John Washington (Left) and Jose Newman

You will find one of the hardest working Beacon associates in Environmental Services at Memorial Hospital. Jose Newman, 23, is a graduate of Project Search, a job-training program for special needs individuals age 18 through 22 who have graduated from South Bend Community Schools.

Jose, a 2011 Clay High School graduate, completed the one-year internship that includes developing job-ready skills in a classroom setting: interpersonal communication skill training, job searching, resume building and using public transportation. Located on the fifth floor of Memorial Medical Plaza, Project Search interns also participate in job rotations inside the hospital to gain valuable experience that will sometimes lead them to land a job with Beacon. Project Search is a collaboration of Beacon Health System, South Bend Community Schools, ADEC and Vocational Rehabilitation.

Jose did such a good job during the internship and during his rotations in Environmental Services that he was hired by Memorial in 2012.

“I love it,” Jose says of his job. “I clean patient rooms. If you listen to the patients, they appreciate that. They like when you talk to them and it makes it a good day for the both of us.”

One of Jose’s biggest champions is his boss, Matt Curry, Director of Environmental Services.

“Jose is amazing. He does an excellent job,” says Matt.

Like all other Beacon associates, Project Search graduates are held to the same standards tied to job performance.

In addition to Environmental Services, Project Search graduates also work in Nutritional Services, HealthWorks! Kids’ Museum, Beacon Health & Fitness, Major Surgery, Pediatrics, Pediatric Specialties, Children’s Therapy and Central Sterile Processing.

“Beacon is really supportive. The opportunities our interns get are amazing. It’s wonderful to see their confidence grow over the program year,” says Anne Long, Project Search teacher.

John Washington, 26, is also a 2012 Project Search graduate. A learning disability and speech defect have not slowed him down from doing a great job in Central Sterile Processing over the past four years. He assembles surgical equipment four days a week. Asked what he likes about his job, John, with a smile, says, “Everything.”

If you are interested in having Project Search interns rotate in your department, contact Erica Rarick at 574.596.4244 or raricke@adecinc.com