KRISTIN DIMIREZ: Seeing their smiles, oftentimes their hugs every time you run into them just brings so much joy to everyone that gets to work with them.
RICHARD AZAR: The confidence that the program instills in these interns is truly amazing. You’re overcome with joy for these interns, and it’s something that I’m proud to be part of. At first, I did not know how to set up the carts, but now I know. It makes me feel accomplished. I love it.
KRISTIN DIMIREZ: Their positive attitudes. Every time you run into them, they’re so excited to see you.
KATHERINE GOOD: I can go to a job, like, every day. Now I can be independent.
SPEAKER 2: They work really fast. You know you can count on them to get the job done.
MICHAEL BACA: It’s a win-win for the community. It’s a win-win for UCLA. It’s a win-win for the students.
AARON SCHLEYHAHN: Project SEARCH gave me skills and the training to do a good job every day. It makes me feel great.
RUSSELL GREENSTONE: I’m learning how to be independent. I love this job.
MICHAEL BACA: Project SEARCH is a year-long program. We provide education to young adults with either intellectual disabilities or autism. They do everything from clerical, delivering marketing materials, cleaning equipment, helping patients onto wheelchairs, onto beds, helping with their mobility.
KATHERINE GOOD: I’m the Mail Assistant for the Anesthesiology Department, and I deliver mail around the hospital. Sometimes there’s a lot of people in the hospital, so I have to just make sure I deliver the right mail.
KRISTIN DIMIREZ: We started with only three departments, nutrition, materials management, and patient transport, and we are now in 13 different departments. That includes nursing administration, operations, and even ISS, which is our IT department.
RICHARD AZAR: In the past 10 years, we have hired 17 other graduates, and more than 70% of the graduates are placed in a job within a year.
SHERRY XU: It’s hard not to want to help them, and when you have a means to do it, it’s hard to say no. And this is such a fulfilling program that can help us both individually and professionally.
DAWN STRUTHERS: Once you get them trained and ready to go, it’s great. It works out well. They come to work every day with a smile on their face. It’s just a pleasure to have them work with us.
ANDREW CUNNINGHAM: It makes me feel proud, happy, and know that I can do more.
GARRETT COSTA: I like going to work because I like– I’m like– I’m looking forward to what’s going to happen because I like challenges. It was hard when I first got here, but I’m learning a lot as I go. Feels cool. I like it. You feel like you’re a part of it.
DAISY CARDENAS: They may have a disadvantage, but you know, with a little coaching, they can do the job. And they’re really happy, so they bring that little spark to work.
KRISTIN DIMIREZ: They’re so willing to take on any task and to do it well. They don’t just come in and do it halfheartedly. They come in and say, I want to make you proud. I’m going to do this task with my whole heart.
MARTIN LINGARD: They’re very dedicated, very committed. They enjoy what they do, and they take pride in what they do.
MICHAEL BACA: I would like to see other departments get involved. I would like to see some of the departments that haven’t had a student try it out. Each student will have support through Half Point, which is our provider. They will provide job coaches. The program itself, the education, all the support you get with it, you’re not alone.
JENNIE KUNG: It’s really, really easy to find ways to incorporate somebody from Project SEARCH, any one of the interns, regardless of what their skill set is, into your day-to-day. We can find ways to integrate anybody with any sort of challenge. We learn from the experience, and they take away really great foundational skills, workplace skills that they can bring with them to their future roles and opportunities. My greatest wish after working with two of the interns now is that more departments and more managers are aware that Project SEARCH exists.
BYRON HERRARTE: I owe it to Project SEARCH for allowing me the opportunity to be having a job here. Made me a better person, more sociable. If you were to ask me like a few years ago before like working in UCLA, I wouldn’t believe it. But I’m really happy. It definitely changed my life.