Project SEARCH graduates celebrated

LAKELAND — Sitting in the front row of Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center's Mulaney Family Auditorium on Friday were Project SEARCH's six graduates, decked out in caps and gowns and smiling after completing the training program for students with disabilities. Behind them — literally and figuratively — were teary-eyed family members, who had hoped for this day for years, and dozens of LRHMC employees, who helped to train the graduates.

"You're ready to begin your adult lives in our community,” Sandy Perlewitz, the Project SEARCH facilitator for Polk County Public Schools, told the graduates. “We love you so much.”

The Project SEARCH program at LRHMC works with students with disabilities, ages 18 to 22, to help prepare them for skilled jobs in a variety of industries. This is the third class of graduates from the program, which began 18 months ago as a partnership between Lakeland Regional Health, Polk County Public Schools, the Center for Independent Living in Central Florida Inc., Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. Project SEARCH, which began at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, is a business-led, one-year work-preparation program for young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Even after employment, students continue to receive job coaching and support from Center for Independent Living and Vocational Rehabilitation trainers while working and earning incomes.

According to Cornell University's 2017 Disability Statistics, people with disabilities are employed less than half as often as their counterparts without disabilities. Project SEARCH offers students with disabilities a way to overcome that with on-the-job skills training.

All six graduates landed jobs — LRHMC hired four of the graduates, while another has a job at Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living Facility and the sixth was hired by Cardinal Health. A video produced by the hospital showed each of their reactions as they were offered full-time positions.

Darius Gibbs-Ellis received a job offer to work on “The Trash Team” in the hospital.

“I got the job!” he said after receiving his offer, a smile spreading across his face. Friday morning, he said he loves his job and the program. ”It's an opportunity for people. I want to help people out with their opportunity.”

"He does a good job,” Wilson said Friday morning.

Gibbs-Ellis was raised by his grandmother, Alma Franklyn, who is also raising his three siblings. She works as an accountant in Lakeland.

“Watching him mature into the man he has become was moving,” Franklyn said. “I'm still crying.”

As a boy, he attended Cleveland Court Elementary School. The school's then-secretary Diane Kossman saw the goodness in Franklyn and her grandchildren and informally adopted them as a second grandmother, often walking the children home from school.

“She was a special lady, just watching her provide for those four children,” said Kossman, hugging Gibbs-Ellis.

He graduated from Lakeland High School, for which he played defensive end on the state championship football team. His coach, Michael Farley, was also on hand to see his success Friday.

“You're going to buy me lunch now, right?” Farley joked.

As interns at the hospital, the group did everything from preparing food, sterilizing instruments, working in and around the operating room and patient transportation. They also learned how to shake hands, write a resume, practice interviewing and several other “soft skills” needed for success.

Scott Dimmick, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for LRH, told the students that he, too, struggled to achieve success after a childhood rooted in poverty.

“I had a few mentors and advisers who said never give up,” Dimmick said, adding that the hospital's three core values of “treasure, nurture and inspire” pertained to them, too. “We will fully fund your career growth in our organization — we will pay for all of that tuition.”

Graduate Kevontae Jones was described as someone who smiled constantly and was always willing to try something new.

“I am so blessed in being here,” he said in a brief speech. “Thanks to my mama right there, who inspired me.”

Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd, Deputy Superintendent John Hill, Chief Academic Officer Michael Akes and Director of Exceptional Student Education Diane Taylor were all in attendance Friday morning. Assistant Superintendent of Learning Support Kimberly Steinke explained that they go to every graduation ceremony in the district and shake thousands of hands.

“But this is definitely by far one of the best and most special graduations we go to each year,” Steinke said. “It's important you understand how precious and how valuable you are to Polk County Schools … You are the epitome of what we want going through this program.”

Kimberly C. Moore can be reached at kmoore@theledger.com or 863-802-7514. Follow her on Twitter at @KMooreTheLedger.

The Project SEARCH May 2019 graduates:

• Kevontae Jones will be working in environmental services at Lakeland Regional Health.

• Jordan Gooding will be working in environmental services at Lakeland Regional Health.

• Darius Gibbs-Ellis will be working in environmental services at Lakeland Regional Health.

• Brandon Traina will be working in food and nutrition services at Lakeland Regional Health.

• Kevin Saysa will be working as a warehouse associate at Cardinal Health.

• Elizabeth Klein will be working as a patient assistant at Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living.

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