Young Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Train for the Workforce through Boca West Country Club and Unicorn Children’s Foundation partnership
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BOCA RATON, FL, May 1, 2018 – Adults, aged 18 to 24, with intellectual and developmental disabilities are training for the workforce thanks to a partnership between Boca West Country Club, Project SEARCH, Unicorn Children's Foundation and Unicorn Village Academy.
Last week 11 of these adults participated in the Boca West Country Club Project SEARCH Skills Assessment Day in which they were paired one on one with Club’s department heads. During the half-day session, Boca West identified candidates for the August launch of a pre-employment internship-training program. It is expected that all student interns will learn competitive, transferable, and marketable job skills and at least 74% of interns will find competitive and meaningful employment following completion of this intensive program.
“Unfortunately, 80% of adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities are unemployed despite their desire and ability to work,” said Sharon Alexander, CEO of the Unicorn Children’s Foundation. “We are so grateful for our partnership with Boca West Country Club, which will help these candidates join the workforce and learn valuable skills.”
Boca West Country Club Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Matthew Linderman, CCM, met with the candidates and their families. “The number one attribute we look for in a Boca West team member is attitude,” he said. “We are so impressed with the great attitudes of these candidates and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the internship program.”
About Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH’s primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Project SEARCH at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati began in 1996 and provides education and on-the-job training opportunities, which has led to permanent employment for nearly 75% of individuals with disabilities who have completed the program. This collaborative model has proven to be very successful at meeting employer needs while placing persons with disabilities in long-term employment. Since its inception, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children’s to a large and continuously expanding international network of sites with replication in 45 states and 9 countries.
About Boca West Country Club Project SEARCH
Boca West Country Club Project SEARCH will provide a job training internship program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in August of 2018. Interns will range in age from 17-24 years of age which makes it statistically more difficult for them to find jobs upon completion of high school. By providing extensive internship opportunities, it is expected that at least 74% of interns will find competitive and meaningful employment following graduation. Boca West Country Club will be the first private residential community in the world to participate in this internationally renowned program.
About The Unicorn Children’s Foundation, Inc.
Unicorn Children's Foundation is a 23 year old non-profit organization that is dedicated to building communities of acceptance, support, and opportunity for kids and young adults who are challenged by special needs and neurodiversity by supporting or developing it cradle to career pathways. Our initiatives connect families to community resources, advocate for inclusive opportunities, respect differences, empower individuals, and support success. With 1 in 6 children being diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, we believe it is our responsibility to create a world where all children’s potential can flourish.
About Unicorn Village Academy, Inc.
Unicorn Children's Foundation is a 23 year old non-profit organization that is dedicated to building communities of acceptance, support, and opportunity for kids and young adults who are challenged by special needs and neurodiversity by supporting or developing it cradle to career pathways. Our initiatives connect families to community resources, advocate for inclusive opportunities, respect differences, empower individuals, and support success. With 1 in 6 children being diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, we believe it is our responsibility to create a world where all children’s potential can flourish.
Last week 11 of these adults participated in the Boca West Country Club Project SEARCH Skills Assessment Day in which they were paired one on one with Club’s department heads. During the half-day session, Boca West identified candidates for the August launch of a pre-employment internship-training program. It is expected that all student interns will learn competitive, transferable, and marketable job skills and at least 74% of interns will find competitive and meaningful employment following completion of this intensive program.
“Unfortunately, 80% of adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities are unemployed despite their desire and ability to work,” said Sharon Alexander, CEO of the Unicorn Children’s Foundation. “We are so grateful for our partnership with Boca West Country Club, which will help these candidates join the workforce and learn valuable skills.”
Boca West Country Club Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Matthew Linderman, CCM, met with the candidates and their families. “The number one attribute we look for in a Boca West team member is attitude,” he said. “We are so impressed with the great attitudes of these candidates and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the internship program.”
About Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH’s primary objective is to secure competitive employment for people with disabilities. Project SEARCH at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati began in 1996 and provides education and on-the-job training opportunities, which has led to permanent employment for nearly 75% of individuals with disabilities who have completed the program. This collaborative model has proven to be very successful at meeting employer needs while placing persons with disabilities in long-term employment. Since its inception, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children’s to a large and continuously expanding international network of sites with replication in 45 states and 9 countries.
About Boca West Country Club Project SEARCH
Boca West Country Club Project SEARCH will provide a job training internship program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in August of 2018. Interns will range in age from 17-24 years of age which makes it statistically more difficult for them to find jobs upon completion of high school. By providing extensive internship opportunities, it is expected that at least 74% of interns will find competitive and meaningful employment following graduation. Boca West Country Club will be the first private residential community in the world to participate in this internationally renowned program.
About The Unicorn Children’s Foundation, Inc.
Unicorn Children's Foundation is a 23 year old non-profit organization that is dedicated to building communities of acceptance, support, and opportunity for kids and young adults who are challenged by special needs and neurodiversity by supporting or developing it cradle to career pathways. Our initiatives connect families to community resources, advocate for inclusive opportunities, respect differences, empower individuals, and support success. With 1 in 6 children being diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, we believe it is our responsibility to create a world where all children’s potential can flourish.
About Unicorn Village Academy, Inc.
Unicorn Children's Foundation is a 23 year old non-profit organization that is dedicated to building communities of acceptance, support, and opportunity for kids and young adults who are challenged by special needs and neurodiversity by supporting or developing it cradle to career pathways. Our initiatives connect families to community resources, advocate for inclusive opportunities, respect differences, empower individuals, and support success. With 1 in 6 children being diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, we believe it is our responsibility to create a world where all children’s potential can flourish.
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