Hutcheson’s Project Search brings first intern on board full time

Students with disabilities often have a hard time finding work after graduation. Last year, only 22 percent of those students were able to find work within a year after earning their high school diploma. In north Georgia, educators are working to boost that number.

John Gilbreath, of LaFayette, joined the Hutcheson Medical Center, Inc. team as an environmental services aide in Hutcheson’s environmental services department. He is the first Project Search intern to be hired by Hutcheson since the beginning of the hospital’s partnership with the international school-to-work program, in September 2014.

“We are thrilled to have John join the Hutcheson family,” said Kay Honea, director of environmental services at Hutcheson. “His hard work and commitment to the job make him a valuable member of our team, and he has proven himself throughout the course of his internship to be a truly dedicated and reliable employee.”

John graduated from LaFayette High School in 2014 and indicates his interests outside of the workplace include a love of watching sports and rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Gilbreath is one of several students participating in the program. When you enter the center in Fort Oglethorpe, Rachel Cannon is the first person you see. Rachel is a senior at Lafayette High School. Although she has cerebral palsy, she’s perfectly capable of greeting people, with high hopes of expanding her skills.

Ryan Baker works in food services. He helps prepare and serve meals, and keep the kitchen clean. This program has given him hope for gainful employment after he graduates in May.

At Hutcheson, managers say it’s a winwin situation. Students are learning skills that help with the day-today operations, and can later use those skills in many other jobs in the community.

According to the US Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 14 percent, versus eight percent for people with disabilities. Project Search’s goal is to help be a solution to closing that gap.

The program is designed to empower students with disabilities to seamlessly transition from school into the workplace by placing students as interns in local business and healthcare organizations. Local workplace partners commit to mentoring and assisting interns in identifying their target careers and learning the job skills they need to be successful.

Walker County schools also provide special education teachers and job coaches to work alongside interns both onsite and in the classroom. The program is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Walker County schools, Hutcheson Medical Center, Kaleidoscope Center, Orange Grove, ARC of Walker County, LaFayette Optimist Club and many others.

To find out more about Hutcheson Medical Center, please visit Hutcheson.org or connect with Hutcheson Medical Center on Facebook. For more information on Project search, please visit ProjectSearch.us.