THE RESOURCE CENTER GRADUATES
PROJECT SEARCH
INVEST U PROGRAM
In the spring, the second class of students from The Resource Center’s (Chautauqua) Project SEARCH program celebrated their graduation. This innovative initiative, a collaboration between The Resource Center (TRC) and UPMC Chautauqua, provides individuals with developmental disabilities a nine-month internship to learn valuable job skills across various hospital settings. The primary aim is to secure paid employment for the graduates. Following last year's program, UPMC hired two graduates immediately after their graduation, and most of this year’s graduates have already secured positions at the hospital or at TRC.
In July, The Resource Center celebrated the graduation of its fourth class from the Invest U program. This transformative initiative, a partnership between The Resource Center and the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, features a 16-week workshop inspired by the book “Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World.” Participants explore the impact of poverty on their lives and develop strategies to build resources for a brighter future for themselves and their community.
Pictured from left are: front row graduates Corrie Orange, Lori Watson, and Kaylee Schweinsberg; Terri Johnson, Director of Employment and Community-Based Services; and Ray Pryce, Invest U Facilitator. In the back row are Beth Jermain, Support Option Administrator, and graduates Brook Colburn, Kelsey Garifi, Alix Sandberg, Lyle DeBose, and Michelle DeBose. Terri and Beth also serve as Invest U Facilitators. Notably, this year saw four TRC employees among the graduates: Brook, Kaylee, Lori, and Michelle.
Pictured are: Faith Baker, Employment Services Administrator overseeing Project SEARCH; graduate Kyle Keller; Donna Vitale, Project SEARCH Instructor; graduates MacKenzie Smith, Gavin Johnson, Conner LaForest, and Colton Hanson; and Alex Woleen, Project SEARCH Skills Trainer.
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