23-05-2025
AHN Saint Vincent hosts graduation for Project SEARCH participants
It was a celebration of hard work and dedication. Friday afternoon, AHN Saint Vincent held a graduation ceremony for students who participated in Project SEARCH.
Project SEARCH provides education and training for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Saint Vincent's program began five years ago in collaboration with the Erie School District and Barber National Institute, with support from the county and state.
The students rotated around hospital departments in addition to receiving classroom lessons.
ECGRA invests in early childhood education, 59 centers awarded ARPA grants
Graduate Marcellus Mitchell hopes to one day work in a nursing home.
'I've been doing some training, shadowing with some staff. It's been very eye-opening and great for confidence-building, really. I've gone to places I never thought I would be,' said Mitchell.
'Ah, it's amazing! This group, especially, we watched them grow from high school students into productive adults. They have been amazing. You see them gain skills that they didn't even know they had,' said Bria Montigny, Project SEARCH skills instructor.
Three of the graduates have already been hired at AHN St. Vincent, and two others have received employment elsewhere.
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