Photo (L-R): Project SEARCH Toronto 2021 graduates Ryan, James, Ekpedeme, Mesfin, and Mina.
 

Last week, 10 Project SEARCH Toronto students virtually celebrated the achievements of the 2020-21 school year with family, friends and supporters. Project SEARCH is an international transition-to-work program for youth with a primary diagnosis of an intellectual or developmental disability. This group of Toronto District School Board (TDSB) students completed the in-class and co-op portions of the program at Toronto Rehab and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, which were both host sites for the second year in a row.

“Together with the other Project SEARCH Toronto partner organizations, we are so proud of the hard work, motivation and resilience exhibited by the students this year,” reflects Carolyn McDougall, business liaison for the program at Holland Bloorview. “While the pandemic continued to impact how the students experienced and participated in their co-op placements, it has been a pleasure hosting them and seeing how they’ve adapted and grown. As a hospital, we continue to learn news ways in which we can re-shape departments and individual jobs to be more inclusive for all.”

“The students have learned a great deal this year with the support of their co-op supervisors and job coaches,” said Polina Kukar, Project SEARCH Toronto and TDSB teacher. “Many thanks to the students’ families and all the Project SEARCH Toronto partners. I know I can speak for the entire partnership team when I congratulate the graduates on their commitment and perseverance during this difficult year. Kudos to you all.”

After graduation, Community Living Toronto’s knowledgeable staff will support students and employers in the job start-up. Students and staff create a personalized plan together to gain quality employment.

“I am excited about my future because I have learned a lot of new job skills, communication skills and travelling independently on the TTC,” said Finleigh, one of the 10 graduating students who gained experience in administration (at our therapy clinics and Quality, Safety and Performance department) and materials management.

The Project SEARCH model was introduced in Ontario in 2019 as an innovative best practice by the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) and United Way Greater Toronto’s Career Navigator program funded the employment and developmental service supports. ODEN and United Way Greater Toronto are active partners along with a strong Business Advisory Council (BAC) whose 9 members inform the training program and network with employers to open doors for graduates. The BAC is led by Jen Gilson from Sodexo Canada.

Project SEARCH is one component of Holland Bloorview’s Transition Strategy that looks at filling gaps young people feel when moving from pediatric to adult services. That strategy is entirely funded by the Coriat family and other generous donors.