(September 18, 2018) PathPoint and Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo announced the graduation of four interns from its Project SEARCH work-immersion program for young adults with developmental disabilities, the first-of-its-kind training program in San Luis Obispo County. The four interns successfully completed their one-year program that combines daily work experience at the Embassy Suites and PathPoint classroom instruction on skills such as: interviewing, team building, money management, health and wellness, social skills, and workplace safety, all in preparation for competitive employment. The interns rotated through various departments including engineering, housekeeping, and food and beverage, gaining transferrable job skills and confidence working with co-workers, supervisors, and guests. The Project SEARCH interns also earned certificates in food handling, first aid, and CPR, which can be used in future jobs.
“Our company is dedicated to inclusion and accessibility and we’ve had successful Project SEARCH programs in other properties around the country,” said Tom Pugh, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo. “We were very eager to start a program in our community, and the results have exceeded our expectations. The interns were enthusiastic and hard-working team members and our entire staff welcomed them. It was an honor and privilege having them as interns. After a formal interview process, we have extended job offers to all four interns.”
“Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo is a great partner and a community leader, the first company to host a Project SEARCH site in San Luis Obispo County,” said Karen Moore, PathPoint, vice president, San Luis Obispo Division. “Our graduates have had great success gaining employment after their internships.”
The new Project SEARCH class of 2018-2019 at Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo is accepting new interns. Please contact Parker Hall at Parker.Hall@PathPoint.org. Adults with disabilities often have difficulty securing steady employment, with 84% unemployed due to their disabilities. PathPoint has overseen the Project SEARCH workplace training program in Central and Southern California since 2010, with active sites at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo, Four Seasons Westlake Village, Dignity Health hospitals, Kaiser Permanente hospitals, and UCLA Medical Center.
The new Project SEARCH program is supported by the Tri-Counties Regional Center. It was started with the collaboration of UCLA Extension and Project SEARCH; and funded with grants from Union Bank Foundation and from The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, through the generous support of the Foundation’s Community Endowment and many donor funds held at the Foundation. The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County provides leadership and encourages charitable giving for the issues that improve and enhance lives in the county.
PathPoint, a non-profit organization based in Santa Barbara, supports people in living the life they choose. PathPoint partners with people with disabilities, people with mental health diagnoses, and young adults to pursue their hopes and dreams through strengthening workplace abilities, building life skills, and developing meaningful relationships. Founded in 1964, it offers services in five Central Coast and Southern California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.
The newly renovated all-suite hotel welcomes guests with a relaxing atrium and guests can access upgraded wireless internet, Digital check-in with room selection and Digital Key that are exclusively available through the industry-leading Hilton Honors application. All two-room suites feature a separate living area, private bedroom, two 43 inch HD LCD TV’s, in-room safes, a wet bar fitted with a microwave, mini-fridge, in-room safe, sink, and a selection of gourmet coffee and teas from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. All guests enjoy complimentary made-to-order breakfast and a nightly two-hour reception with complimentary drinks and snacks. The hotel also features over 15,000 square feet of function space to host small and large business or social events and is located just less than 2 miles from downtown San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and is near the Edna Valley Wine region, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and many other popular Central Coast cities and sites. Call 805.549.0800 or visit www.embassysuitessanluisobispo.com for more information or to make hotel reservations.
(Photo from left to right: Project SEARCH graduates Wyatt, Gabriel, Michael, and Jacob.)