Meet our intern, D'Avian
One of D'Avian's favorite TV shows is "Supernatural." He also likes reading and writing fictional stories. On the way to meet with his EVS partner for the day, he excitedly shares about his favorite episodes and current stories that he is writing.
In his current rotation, he is with EVS three days a week and helps clean the bathroom. The other two days, he helps in the Cancer Center. He enjoys cleaning the rooms and getting them ready for the next patient.
Working at Hennepin Healthcare is close to D'Avian's heart because he, his brothers, and his cousins were born here. "It feels like a place that I knew a long time ago, and it's a nice feeling to be working here [at Hennepin Healthcare]." Said D'Avian.
He hopes to grow in his writing and aspires to become a writer and share his stories one day.
What is Project SEARCH?
Project SEARCH is an internationally recognized program that aims to secure competitive employment for students with disabilities. It prepares young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for success in competitive, integrated employment. A business-focused transition program supports interns through workplace readiness upon graduation. Hennepin Healthcare has hosted Project SEARCH for 10 years.
How does Project SEARCH work?
The students are immersed in the workplace for a full academic year, following a unique employability curriculum. They learn relevant skills transferable to in-demand community employment. They also work on individualized skill-building and employment planning. During the program, student interns aged 18-21 do three unpaid 10-week rotations within various areas of the hospital. These rotations provide them with job skills and practical learning experiences to help them secure competitive employment upon graduation.
Meet our other interns
Kinikki
Kinikki starts her day at a morning meeting with her peers and then heads to the Central Processing Department (CPD). There, she packs surgical scissors and prepares them for sterilization.
Kinikki has previously worked with the kitchen and says it's fun to pack the scissors in CPD. She hopes to try a rotation in EVS because she enjoys cleaning.
Once a week, Kinikki is joined in CPD by another coworker, and they quickly complete the packing together. "I was nervous when I started, but now it's fun," said Kinikki. After graduating from the program, she looks forward to getting a job.
Skills Trainer Jay Roland, who joins Kinikki in CPD, said he enjoys seeing these young people grow and learn. "It's a really good program to help them learn to do more than they think they're capable of," said Jay.
