The atmosphere at Niagara Health’s Welland Hospital was filled with pride on Sept. 8, as four students officially began their journey with Project SEARCH, an international transition-to-work program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
This year marks Niagara Health’s third year partnering with March of Dimes Canada and CSC MonAvenir School Board to deliver Project SEARCH.
The program provides students in their final year of high school with real-world work experience through three 10-week rotations in different hospital departments.
Surrounded by families, staff, and partners, Project SEARCH interns signed their certificates, marking the formal start of their internships at Niagara Health.
Front left: Linda Boich, Executive Vice President of Patient Experience and Integrated Care and student Karl Muhosa. Back left: Student Charlie Eybel, Jeffrey and Alyssa Hunter.
Interns will gain skills across Environmental Services, Extended Care Unit Recreation Therapy, Food Services and Dialysis. The goal is to prepare participants for competitive, integrated employment in the community.
The Signing Day ceremony brought together interns, their families, Niagara Health leaders and program partners to recognize the first step of this year-long journey.
"You have been selected because we see in you potential, motivation and determination,” says Vicky Thiffault, Principal of Special Education. “Today, we celebrate a chapter of growth, of hard work, of learning — and above all, a journey toward meaningful employment.”
Jennifer Way, Senior Manager of Skills Development and Employment, March of Dimes Canada, emphasized the power of partnership in creating opportunities.
“This program is all about creating opportunities and challenging misconceptions,” she says. “Together, we’re paving the way forward for a more inclusive workforce and creating a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”
The ceremony concluded with the interns signing their official Project SEARCH certificates alongside Linda Boich, Niagara Health Executive Vice President of Patient Experience and Integrated Care.
Parents, staff, and program partners gathered at Welland Hospital to celebrate the launch of the Project SEARCH internship program.
For interns, Signing Day was both the start of something new and a step toward long-term goals.
“I’m trying to look for a job,” says intern Alyssa Hunter. “Hopefully I will find one this year. I believe this program is going to get me closer to employment.”
Intern Jeffrey adds, “This year, I want to see if healthcare is the right path for me. Project SEARCH gives me the chance to try different roles and figure out what I really enjoy.”
Together with families, schools and community partners, Niagara Health is proud to support these interns as they take their first steps toward building independence, confidence and a brighter future.
