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Project SEARCH

Hudson Community Enterprises provides students with disabilities the opportunity to explore careers while developing transferable job skills through Project SEARCH. This unique program provides a one-year, business-led, unpaid internship opportunity for eligible students during their final year of high school. The program, which is conducted entirely at a host business site from September to June, combines instruction with immersion in the workplace, and prepares young adults with disabilities to make successful transitions from school to productive adult life in the workforce.
We encourage school districts in the area to explore this opportunity to provide students with disabilities and a desire to work a pathway to success.

Student Eligibility criteria:
  • 18-21 years of age
  • Entering final year of high school
  • Diagnosed with a Developmental Disability, including the Autism Spectrum
  • Agree to accept diploma at successful completion of program
  • Ability to access and willingness to use independent transportation options
  • Desire to work

Project SEARCH is proud to partner with members of the Jersey City community — Double Tree Hotel, Hudson County Community College and Jersey City Medical Center – to offer internships at nearly every entry level position, including:

DoubleTree Hotel Departments:

Dishwashing

Engineering

Front Desk

Hostess

Linens

HCCC Departments:

Academic Lab

Enrollment Services

IT

Maintenance

Tutoring

Student Life / Leadership

JCMC Departments:

Central Sterile

Dietary

Linens

Maintenance

Materials Management

Patient Transport

For 10 weeks, students will rotate between different departments at one of the three worksites.
Students are provided with vocational training in which they learn how to perform their tasks,
how to ask questions, how to be a team player, how to go over phone scripts, and how to display
themselves within the worksite environment through one-on-one training.

All internships involve mentorships with specific employees within the departments alongside
skills trainers on a day-to-day basis. The end goal is for the students to obtain employment after
the program completion.

Since 2018, 18 students have been able to obtain employment at their worksite after
project completion, including 10 at Jersey City Medical Center. Currently there are 19 students
participating in Project SEARCH.

School districts or parents of students with disabilities seeking more information, please contact Yolanda Fuller, MA, CRC, VP of Youth Workforce Development at yfuller@hce.works,
201-434-3303 ext. 123, 201-994-5241 (cell)