Young Adults with Disabilities and Seniors in a Perfect Partnership
It's a partnership in which all involved parties win.
For the third consecutive year, Sedgebrook senior living community in Lincolnshire is hosting Project SEARCH. The initiative that focuses on career development for young adults with developmental disabilities is a collaboration between Sedgebrook, Clearbrook, the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) and Illinois Department of Human Services.
Throughout the course of the school year, the students who are readying to transition from high school into the workforce, are placed into internships within participating organizations and businesses. The innovative model helps the interns develop career skills that will prepare them for competitive employment.
This year, 12 Project SEARCH participants are interning at Sedgebrook. The community has identified 25 different departments/programs from which the students can choose throughout three 10-week rotations. These include maintenance, IT, human resources, activities, dining and more.
The interns begin and end their workday in an on-site classroom with teachers and coaches, where there are discussions about job searches, vocational skills, interviewing, preparing resumes, and problem-solving. The rest of the workday takes place in the interns' work assignments with Sedgebrook leaders working as their mentors.
"Project SEARCH is part of the lifeblood of Sedgebrook. The residents and staff members here embrace the interns and are committed to doing everything they can to help support them," said Dan Harrington, executive director of the Lincolnshire-based senior living community. "When I interviewed for the executive director position here and learned about Project SEARCH, it became a factor in my decision. I wanted to join an organization with a strong culture of caring." He added that the staff and residents take pleasure in interacting with the young interns and watching them develop and grow in vocational skills and self-confidence.
From the interns' perspectives, their experience in the workforce is helping them learn new tasks that will benefit them in their future employment.
Raul Pintor's first two internship rotations were in event/fitness and as a dietary aide in the healthcare center kitchen. He is now working in general services and human resources. The 21-year old who is new to the workforce is enjoying every minute of the experience. "I love working. It's everything I'd hoped for," he said. Pintor describes himself as being "a responsible, hard worker and a team player. I want to help out whenever I'm able to, and however, I'm needed. I always handle everything to the best of my abilities, and if I don't understand something, I always ask for help."
Pintor said that he likes working for Sedgebrook which provides "a home for older people. It's nice to know that it is someplace where there are always people to help seniors out if they need it." He added that he's been pretty popular during his internships. "People like me because of my positivity on life and the way I smile and greet everyone."
He's right. Pintor's dedication hasn't been lost on the staff at Sedgebrook, and he has already been offered a permanent job in the healthcare kitchen.
Annette Doherty, the job developer for Project SEARCH at Sedgebrook said that the program has been a resounding success from the start. All the interns from the first two years have as the result of the program, found permanent employment within the area, with 19 of the 20 still working at their original placements. "That's 100% employment, as compared to the national employment rate for individuals with disabilities which is approximately 20%," she said. Sedgebrook has hired four interns from the previous years.
"Our relationship with Project SEARCH is solid, and we're looking forward to working with them for many years to come," said Harrington.
SEDGEBROOK
Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living, and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC®. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call 847-901-3319.