Project SEARCH: 6 gifted students who touched our hearts

June 16, 2010 - 5:35 pm

In June 2010, Bon Secours Richmond, in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University as well as Richmond City and Henrico County schools celebrated an amazing achievement: The first graduation of the class of Project SEARCH.

Project SEARCH was established to connect area employers to students with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Students worked closely with Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital staff in areas like sterile supply, environmental services and linnen services to learn job skills. In turn, they brought smiles to faces and warmth to hearts around the organization. In the words of one service area leader: “These kids brought more to our team than we could ever give to them.”

These six students made incredible strides during their time with Bon Secours; represented by the culmination speech that each student gave in front of more than 100 proud supporters and fans.

As an exciting surprise, a capstone on the day, Bon Secours announced that we will extend job offers to each of these talented young adults.

Congratulations Project SEARCH class of 2010!

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  • AMEChevalier

    God Bless you guys at Bon Secours for everything you have done for us interns, thank you for everything, thank you for changing my life in more ways in one.

    Bon Secours= Good Help

    ~Ann Marie E. Chevalier

  • Prudence Shepard

    Thank you St. Mary's for embracing our team and making this an amazing year! We are very proud of our graduates.

  • Josh Parker's mom

    This utube video has had 303 views within a 3 day period! this is awesome!!! Thank you St. mary's and project search for everything you have done! We are still on cloud 9 :) We are truly blessed. Josh Parker's mom :)

  • Paulette H. Bathurst

    I have a son with Asperger's and would be very interested in a program in the Hampton Roads area. I work for Bon Secour @ Virginia Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists. If there is anything of this nature let me know. Keep up the good work.

    Sincerely,

    Paulette Bathurst

  • Jennifer McDonough

    What an amazingly powerful video! I cannot thank Bon Secours enough for the opportunities and support they have given the students. This has been an outstanding year and we are excited about our new students for the fall! Thank you Bon Secours!!
    Jennifer McDonough
    VCU Project Coordinator

  • Robert and Kathie Welch

    Exceptionally proud of Bon Secours and Jennifer McDonough for such a successful course.

  • autism teacher

    I am a teacher of students with autism, and while at St. Mary's today assisting one of my students families, I had the pleasure of meeting some of these Project SEARCH individuals. It was an experience that truly made my week! I work with very severe cases of autism, so it is amazing to me when I see individuals in the community that doing so well. I think Project SEARCH is a great program, and I really applaud Bon Secours for all they are doing in the field of autism.