A New Cohort of Project SEARCH Has Begun at Backus Hospital

Watch our 30-second video for highlights from the Welcome Event and meet this year's Project SEARCH interns!

A new chapter has begun for three young adults as UCP of Eastern CT welcomes its newest cohort of Project SEARCH interns!

Project SEARCH is a nine-month internship program designed to help young adults with disabilities develop the skills, confidence, and experience they need to successfully enter the workforce. Through hands-on learning and real-world work experiences, interns have the opportunity to explore different careers, develop professional habits, and discover their strengths in a supportive environment.

This year, Dominique, Brenna, and Claire are beginning their Project SEARCH journey at Hartford HealthCare’s Backus Hospital, where they will spend the next nine months learning and working alongside hospital staff.

Learning in a Real-World Workplace

One of the most valuable aspects of Project SEARCH is that interns learn directly in the workplace. Rather than simply learning about jobs in a classroom, interns gain practical experience by rotating through different departments at Backus Hospital.

During their rotations, interns will take on real responsibilities and learn what it takes to be successful in a professional environment. They will develop marketable skills while practicing important workplace habits such as communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, following directions, and interacting with coworkers.

Each experience provides an opportunity to learn something new and helps interns better understand their interests, abilities, and career goals.

Throughout the program, interns receive guidance and support from UCP of Eastern CT staff and Backus Hospital partners, who work together to create meaningful learning experiences and help each intern grow toward greater independence and employment.

Starting the Journey Together

The new cohort officially kicked off their Project SEARCH experience at a Welcome Event at Backus Hospital.

The event gave Dominique, Brenna, and Claire an opportunity to meet one another and begin building the relationships that will support them throughout the program. They learned more about Project SEARCH, discussed their upcoming job rotations, and signed their internship contracts, an exciting milestone as they officially began their nine-month journey.

The interns also toured Backus Hospital, giving them their first look at the departments and spaces where they will work and learn throughout the year.

For many interns, stepping into a large workplace for the first time can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming. The Welcome Event helped make the hospital feel more familiar and gave the interns an opportunity to begin envisioning themselves as part of the workplace community.

Building Skills, Confidence, and Independence

Project SEARCH is about much more than gaining work experience. It is about helping young adults recognize their potential and build the confidence to pursue meaningful employment.

Over the next nine months, Dominique, Brenna, and Claire will have opportunities to challenge themselves, learn from new experiences, celebrate successes, and work through obstacles. Each job rotation will give them another opportunity to build skills they can carry into future employment.

Their journey is just beginning, and we are excited to see where it takes them!

UCP of Eastern CT is grateful to Hartford HealthCare’s Backus Hospital and our dedicated hospital partners for helping make these opportunities possible. Partnerships like these create pathways for young adults with disabilities to gain valuable workplace experience and move closer to their employment goals.

We wish Dominique, Brenna, and Claire the very best as they begin this exciting new chapter. We can't wait to see all they accomplish!