PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tammy Brownfield
tammy.m.brownfield@kp.org
This marks the sixth anniversary of Project SEARCH’s partnership with Kaiser Permanente.
HONOLULU — Family, friends, alumni, and leaders from the Hawaii State Department of Education and Kaiser Permanente celebrated the graduation of three interns from Project SEARCH. The program is designed for young adults ages 18 to 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and this graduating cohort was based out of Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center. Together with the Hawaii State Department of Education, the program prepares students for competitive employment through real-world work experience.
“Our Project Search program instructors work with students during the course of an entire school year in a business setting,” explained John Erickson, Aiea-Moanalua-Radford Complex Area superintendent, Hawaii State Department of Education. “The students learn hard, soft, and transferrable skills that they can take out into the community to apply for jobs, do interviews, and work with the confidence they need in their career. Kaiser Permanente has been one of our longest-standing business partners here in Hawaii and is integral to the success of this program.”
The program challenges traditional expectations and empowers young adults to achieve competitive employment. Over the past six years, the program has achieved a remarkable success rate, with 75% of all graduates either securing employment or participating in paid internship programs elsewhere. Additionally, two graduates are currently attending college, showcasing the program's effectiveness in preparing young adults for their future endeavors.
“We are honored to support Project SEARCH and witness the incredible growth and achievements of these young adults,” said Andrew Giles, chief operating officer for Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii. “The hospital cross-trains them in different departments, teaching skills that can transfer to other industries. It’s an inspiration to see the students’ determination, grit, and hard work, and some have graduated on to become a permanent part of our Kaiser Permanente family, earning a livable wage while serving our community.”
In addition to learning more about care delivery, students volunteer in the hospital’s central supply, same-day service, environmental services, and nutrition departments, as well as in the gift shop.
“College wasn’t on my radar,” said Justice Routon, Project SEARCH alumni ‘21. “After Project SEARCH, I’m now pursuing my degree and working at Kaiser Permanente, helping to keep facilities clean. I’m proud of our interns graduating today and want to say congratulations. We can change the world someday.”