Will Work, Please Hire

Bad new and good news about hiring individuals with disabilities in today's Grand Rapids Press: The economy is the "biggest hurdle" for graduates of Project Search, a collaboration between Grand Rapids Public Schools, Hope Network, Disability Advocates of Kent County and Fifth Third Bank. Project Search is a pilot project to teach students with disabilities the skills they'll need to enter the workfoce:

The program targets employers who have hard-to-fill jobs and high turnover. It started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in 1996 and is now in 36 states. The local program is the first in Michigan, with six more planned around the state.

Locally, Project Search began with 13 students, although two left early on. The students rotate through three 10-week internships, learning office skills, data entry and how to process credit card and loan applications.

Before the year was out, one of the 11 students won an open slot with Fifth Third.

"It's the beginning. I have a lot more to learn," Kevin Chilton, 21, said as he evened up documents for scanning. Chilton is the first Project Search student to get a job as a result of the program.

The Grand Rapids Press also notes that "Project Search graduates often are more productive than their counterparts and typically have a lower turnover rate, according to its organizers." Further, Project Search seeks to help employers "develop policies of inclusion that will benefit the bottom line." A businessman, Jim Stelter of VanerumShelter, has employed six individuals with disabilities over the years and speaks about their "dependability and reliability."

My son's a long long way from being able to work at a job, let alone to interview for it. But experiences like those of Kevin Chilton, and organizations like Project Search, make me hopeful. I know that Charlie's preference for routine would mean he'd rather go to work five days a week and at set hours. While he does like his break time, he likes very much to be busy.

Good news, I think; I hope.