Second Project Search Graduation Slated June 2

Kristin Sadowsky (second from left), an intern with Favarh Project SEARCH, learns administrative support tasks from her mentors Michelle Thompson , Angela Rizzolo and skills trainer Pam Applewhite-Miller. (Photo by R. Wright)

Nine interns with Project SEARCH, an innovative program designed to prepare young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for careers, not just jobs, will be graduating from the program at a special “bridge ceremony” on Friday, June 2.

Project SEARCH is the most successful youth transition program in the nation at placing young adults with IDD in gainful employment. Connecticut’s only program, a partnership between Favarh – The Arc of the Farmington Valley – and UConn Health, is located at the UConn Health Farmington campus. At the program, young people with IDD are demonstrating that when given the opportunity and proper supports to succeed, they can and do exceed, often beyond our preconceived notions of what is possible.

Vanessa Flenke (center), an intern with Favarh Project SEARCH, learns about delivering excellent patient care at UMG Ophthalmology from her mentors Cheryl Berry and Vivian Holly. (Photo by Ania Scott)

Project SEARCH was founded in 1996 at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The program is a one-year, unpaid internship program designed for students either in their last year of high school or graduates in their first year out of school.

The largest private employer in Canton with 275 employees, Favarh was founded in 1958 by eight local families who all wanted a better life for their children with intellectual disabilities. Today, Favarh is a local chapter of the Arc, the world’s largest community-based organization for people with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities. Favarh supports more than 350 children, young adults, adults, seniors and families throughout the Greater Farmington Valley area and beyond.

Media contact: Bill Neagus, wneagus@favarh.org