UAMS Project SEARCH Graduates 12 Interns

By Yavonda Chase

For the 12 graduates of the UAMS Project Search internship program, a short walk across the stage signified a new beginning, complete with the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and life.

“This is a special day as we celebrate 12 young adults with disabilities who have completed an internship as members of the third class of UAMS Project SEARCH, a special job training program that started here in August 2013,” said Stephanie Gardner, Pharm. D., Ed. D., provost and chief academic officer, during the ceremony May 24 in the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute.

Provost Stephanie Gardner, Pharm. D., Ed.D., congratulates Dominique Briggs on completing the program.

Provost Stephanie Gardner, Pharm. D., Ed.D., congratulates Dominique Briggs on completing the program.

The interns worked jobs in nutrition services, engineering and operations, central supply, rehabilitation services, the fitness center, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and other areas. In all, 30 UAMS departments participated in the nine-month program, Gardner said.

“This class of interns embraced this experience. Their enthusiasm never flagged as they tackled new challenges and gained new skills in the process,” she added.

The UAMS Project SEARCH program is a partnership with the Little Rock-based nonprofit ACCESS® Group Inc., and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, a division of the Arkansas Department of Career Education. The program, the first of its kind at an Arkansas university, was modeled after one started at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Since its beginning in 2013, UAMS Project SEARCH has graduated 36 young adults, helping them secure employment at such businesses as UAMS, Dillards, Inc., K9 Country Club, Catholic High School for Boys, Fox Ridge Senior Living, the Mt. Carmel Community, Embassy Suites, National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Texas Roadhouse, the city of Little Rock, Crothall Healthcare, Maverick Transportation and St. Vincent Health System.

During the ceremony, each graduate got the opportunity to share what Project SEARCH meant to them.

Loren Butterfield described her fellow interns as a family and told them, “This is not the end; it is just the beginning.”

For Nicholas Seals, the internship taught him how to work hard.

“Project SEARCH means a lot because I wanted to learn job skills, trade, how to apply for a job and how to keep a job,” he signed as an interpreter relayed his words to the crowd.

Chris Critton said he had learned that “Project SEARCH is more than just a program for individuals with disabilities. It is about job readiness, job training, learning how to keep a job and how to live a job life with others.”

Beyond employment, the program also teaches skills that are needed for independent living.

Dominique Briggs said Project SEARCH offered him many opportunities, including the chance to become independent and build professional relationships with his co-workers.

Tyler Phifer said the program has given him “a chance to provide for my family,” putting him on track to reach his goal of raising his family and getting married.

Robin Brown said Project SEARCH encouraged the interns to take leaps of faith.

Robin Brown said Project SEARCH encouraged the interns, including her daughter, Olivia, to take leaps of faith.

Then there are the intangible benefits such as confidence, self-worth and friendship.

“Project SEARCH has given me the chance to be proud of myself and be happy,” said Tyler Jones as he beamed from the stage.

Keith Johnson said that Project SEARCH had given him the opportunity to be part of a team.

Olivia Brown said she was thankful for the program because it gave her confidence in dealing with people at work.

Brown’s mother, Robin, served as the keynote speaker for the celebration. She described the changes she has seen in her daughter, especially her newfound confidence.

“Project SEARCH is an entity that encourages interns to take chances — leaps of faith if you will — knowing someone will be there encouraging, guiding, ready to catch them as they try new things,” she said, adding that Olivia’s first leap of faith came when she launched herself into her father’s arms upon receiving the news she had been accepted into the program.

Brown marveled at the commitment Project SEARCH makes to its interns, providing job assistance for five years after the completion of the internship.

“Keeping the job is just as important as getting the job — that is their motto,” she said.

She noted that more leaps of faith would likely exist for her daughter and their family, but now, thanks to Project SEARCH, they are not alone.