Listen Up Y’all Media had the honor of attending the graduation of the first three interns of the Project SEARCH program at Merit Health Natchez on May 24th. Congratulations to the Project SEARCH Class of 2023: Chloe Hodgson, Patrick Davis, and Nathan Gaude!
Project SEARCH Mississippi is a program administered by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), which is the 18th such program in the state. MDRS partnered with the Natchez-Adams School District and Merit Health Natchez to bring this amazing program to Natchez. Merit Health Natchez is the first employer in Natchez to participate in the program and is the host site.
Ronnie Calhoun was then tapped to begin the Project SEARCH instructor, along with Charm Powell as the Job Skills Trainer. This program would not have been possible or successful without Ronnie and Charm and many others at Merit, NASD, and MDRS.
This is a nine-month employment preparation program for young adults with disabilities that takes place entirely at the workplace. These students are provided real-life work experience and training through complete workplace immersion, classroom instruction and career exploration. The goal for each participant is to make the successful transition to a productive adult life and find employment within their community.
Throughout the graduation ceremony, we heard testimonials about their progress and growth from the mentors at Merit Health Natchez, MDRS, the Project SEARCH instructors, as well as their parents. Chloe, Patrick, and Nathan now have skills that have allowed them to grow personally, socially, and professionally. There is a new-found confidence and independence that is obvious in each intern, and all three have found employment in our community and are looking forward to beginning their new careers.
Key Rehab will welcome Chloe Hodgson. Patrick Davis will begin work shortly at Sports Center, and Nathan Gaude has been offered multiple jobs and is in the process of figuring out his future plans.
Once again, CONGRATULATIONS to the Project SEARCH Class of 2023 and we wish them the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives. And thank you to MDRS, the Natchez-Adams School District, Merit Health Natchez, Ronnie Calhoun, and Charm Powell for bringing this program to Natchez. We look forward to its continued success and watching the growth of its interns through the years to come.
Comments