(May 4, 2018) PathPoint and Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo announced the launch of the first Project SEARCH work-immersion program for young adults with developmental disabilities in San Luis Obispo County.
Four interns began their one-year program that combines daily work experience at the Embassy Suites and PathPoint classroom instruction on skills such as interviewing, all in preparation for competitive employment. The interns rotate through various departments such as engineering, housekeeping and food and beverage, gaining transferrable job skills and confidence working with co-workers, supervisors and guests. The Project SEARCH interns also earn certificates in food handling, first aid, and CPR.
“We have been impressed with the interns’ strong work ethic and eagerness to learn,” said Tom Pugh, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo. “Our company is dedicated to inclusion and accessibility and we’ve had successful Project SEARCH programs in other properties around the country.”
“Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo is a great partner, welcoming the interns as colleagues and providing valuable work experience in a variety of hotel departments,” said Karen Moore, PathPoint, vice president, San Luis Obispo Division. “Our graduates have had success gaining employment, as seen in Kern, Ventura and Los Angeles counties where we have established Project SEARCH sites.”
Adults with disabilities often have difficulty securing steady employment, with 84% unemployed due to their disabilities. The hotel has associates on staff that were hired following their participation in the program. 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 and 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 is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing services to people with disabilities or disadvantages in order to reach their fullest potential. PathPoint provides employment, community integration, independent living, and behavioral health 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, 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. For reservations or more information, guests visit www.embassysuitessanluisobispo.com or call 805.549.0800.
(Photo from left to right: Lauren Meisenheimer, Human Resources Director, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo; Project SEARCH interns Wyatt, Jacob, Michael, and Gabriel; Parker Hall, PathPoint Project SEARCH Program Coordinator; Tom Pugh, General Manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Luis Obispo.)