High School Grad Overcomes Obstacles

Kirsten

In her last year of high school, Kirsten enrolled in Project SEARCH in Ocala, a program that provides on-the-job-training for high schools students with disabilities. Project SEARCH is a partnership between Goodwill-Suncoast, Vocational Rehabilitation, Marion County Public Schools and host sites Hilton Ocala and Bridgewater Park health and rehabilitation center. 

During the first week of the program at the Hilton Ocala host, she was extremely shy and avoided conversation. But after a few weeks, she began to break out of her shell and became more and more comfortable in her surroundings.

Kirsten’s first rotation at the Hilton was in the banquet department, including serving food and drinks to guests. Next she shadowed another lobby attendant and eventually became the program’s first participant to be able to work the position completely independently – with her own cart, keys and a list of tasks. 

Fast-forward to today, and Kirsten is working full-time as a life enrichment assistant at Palm Garden Ocala health and rehabilitation center. She plans and participates in activities with the patients, including bingo, happy hours, and reading to and playing games with those who are confined to their rooms. A Goodwill community employment specialist monitors Kirsten’s progress and trouble-shoots any problems.

While still shy, Kirsten has stepped out of her comfort zone as a Project SEARCH spokesperson, explaining the program to a group of her peers and speaking at a family information night and at a Project SEARCH graduation ceremony.

“I thought I had it in me!” she says.