Project SEARCH Program Anniversary

Los Angeles, CA (October 8, 2019) PathPoint and UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center celebrated the 10th graduating class from its Project SEARCH work-immersion program for young adults with developmental disabilities. Since 2009, the program has graduated 91 interns who learn transferrable job skills while working at various hospital department rotations for a year.

At the graduation ceremony held August 29th at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, partner organizations including the hospital, Westside Regional Center, and the California Department of Rehabilitation congratulated this year’s class of 11 interns who will go on to find employment in the community. Paul Koretz, City of Los Angeles Councilmember 5th District, addressed the graduates and offered his encouragement for their future endeavors. Student speakers and a testimonial from a parent rounded out the ceremony.

“The longevity of this program and partnership with UCLA speaks to each organization’s commitment to supporting young adults with developmental disabilities,” said PathPoint President and CEO Harry Bruell. “The fact that the majority of the graduates secure community employment after the training program shows this model works—combining daily on-the-job skills training in an immersive workplace setting, supported by a team of professionals.”

Adults with disabilities often have difficulty securing steady employment, with 84% unemployed due to their disabilities. PathPoint oversees 11 Project SEARCH sites throughout Central and Southern California: Dignity Health hospitals in Ventura and Kern counties, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo, Four Seasons Westlake Village, Pacifica Senior Living in Oxnard, Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Los Angeles, Henry Mayo Newhall Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and UCLA Medical Center. For more on Project Search, please visit: https://www.pathpoint.org/services/project-search/ and http://www.projectsearch.us/

About PathPoint
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. For more information, visit www.pathpoint.org.