Project SEARCH at Huntington Hospital: One Month In, and Our Interns Are Thriving

Project SEARCH is more than a program, it’s a pathway to opportunity, confidence, and meaningful employment. Designed as a one-year transition experience, Project SEARCH takes place entirely in the workplace, offering young adults a chance to fully immerse themselves in a real-world career environment. Through this model, interns become part of the daily operations at a host employer while receiving individualized support that helps them grow both personally and professionally.

At People’s Arc, we are proud to partner with Huntington Hospital to offer this transformative experience. Over the past month, our interns have taken their first steps into hospital life and the progress they’ve made already has been extraordinary.

A Model Built on Total Workplace Participation

The Project SEARCH approach centers on complete workplace inclusion. Instead of splitting time between school and job sites, interns spend their entire day at the host employer. This creates a powerful, hands-on learning experience where skills are built in real time.

Throughout the year, interns participate in:

• Classroom instruction focused on employability and life skills

• Career exploration through guided activities and mentorship

• Meaningful internships in departments that match their interests and strengths

• Customized job-skill training designed to prepare them for competitive employment

People’s Arc educators facilitate each part of the experience, helping interns problem-solve, build confidence, and develop the skills they’ll carry into future careers.

Thriving at Huntington Hospital

Now one month into the program, our interns have already become a welcomed part of the Huntington Hospital community. From learning new routines to navigating departments with increasing independence, they are embracing their roles with enthusiasm and pride.

Hospital staff have opened their doors and their hearts to our interns, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where growth is not only encouraged but celebrated. Each day brings new learning moments, stronger communication skills, and greater confidence.

So far, we’ve watched interns:

• Build meaningful connections with hospital employees

• Learn essential workplace expectations

• Strengthen problem-solving and teamwork skills

• Explore new career paths they may not have known existed

The transformation is undeniable. With every shift, they are gaining the experience, readiness, and self-assurance needed for long-term success.

A Year of Possibility Ahead

As we look forward to the months ahead, we are excited to see how each intern continues to grow through this immersive, purposeful model. Project SEARCH reinforces what we believe at People’s Arc: when young adults are given the right support and the right environment, they can explore, enrich, and truly thrive.

We are grateful to Huntington Hospital for its partnership, inclusivity, and commitment to building a workforce where everyone has the chance to shine.