Graduation season is in full swing, and amid the usual pomp and circumstance, a group of El Paso ISD students has a unique reason to celebrate. In a special completion ceremony, these students, part of the district's Project SEARCH program, have marked the end of a transformative yearlong internship. The program, designed to provide real-world job training for students with disabilities, showcased its benefits at The Hospitals of Providence Memorial and Sierra campuses.
Partnering with the healthcare facilities, El Paso ISD has given these students a proving ground. Rotating through various hospital departments, they've been able to sharpen both their technical skills and their interpersonal acumen, preparing them for future employment and a more independent life. As obtained by El Paso ISD, Joe Zajemski, Transition Career Specialist, described the program saying, "These students had some obstacles to overcome, which they endured and kept going. They're great kids, and we're so proud of what they've achieved."
The celebrations also marked a new milestone, with the first batch of students completing the program at the Sierra Campus, highlighting the program's expanding influence. During the ceremonies, students shared their narratives of growth, confidence, and perseverance. Briana Rivera, a Coronado High School graduate who secured a job at Gozo's Ice Cream following her internship, expressed her joy. "I always pray to God and thank Him for giving me work. Now I’m happy I can help my family and be there for them," she said, as per El Paso ISD.
Project SEARCH is more than a stepping stone to employment, it embodies El Paso ISD's commitment to accessible opportunities for all students to succeed professionally. "It’s really special to see what these students have produced through this experience," said Kassandra Acuna, Project SEARCH teacher and Transition Career Specialist, as noted by El Paso ISD. Some students arrive shy and unsure, but they are confident and prepared by the end of the program, a transformation that was witnessed during the completion ceremony and in the fact that many of them are landing jobs.
