In June, Ivymount and the local community proudly celebrated the graduation of the 2025 Project SEARCH interns—young adults who have spent the past year gaining real-world work experience, building confidence, and preparing for meaningful employment. The ceremonies, held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Montgomery County Government, marked a milestone not only for the interns but also for the program itself: 15 years of Project SEARCH at NIH and more than 130 graduates from that site alone.
Project SEARCH is a unique one-year employment immersion program designed to help young adults with significant disabilities make successful transitions from school to productive post-school life. It includes classroom instruction, career exploration, and on-the-job training through internships. Ivymount School collaborates with SEEC, a local nonprofit that provides community-based employment support to transitioning youth and adults.
This year’s celebrations also reflected the strong community partnerships that make the program possible. Families, jobsite mentors, Ivymount staff, and local leaders came together to honor the interns’ achievements. At the Montgomery County Government ceremony, speakers included Dr. Lolita Weedon, Deputy Director of the Office of Human Resources, and Dr. James Bridgers, Director of Health and Human Services. County Executive Marc Elrich closed the event with remarks recognizing the interns’ growth and contributions.
At NIH, the program featured remarks from Nancy Eaby, former Project SEARCH NIH Co-Business Liaison, and a keynote by Robert Whalen, a 2023 graduate now employed at the NIH Clinical Center.
“The foundation of Project SEARCH is having strong partnerships with our host businesses,” shared Clayton Caden, Ivymount’s program coordinator who leads classroom instruction. “We work with interns and sites to find the best matches where our interns are able to learn valuable skills while the site is gaining meaningful work.”
Interns Experience a Variety of Workplaces
Intern Kabir found his fit at TelaForce, an IT contractor for the Montgomery County Government. He enjoyed hands-on tasks like removing hard drives and preparing equipment for recycling, explaining: “I like working with my hands, staying busy, and assisting coworkers with tasks. I would like to use my experiences to get a job in customer service, working for an office, or at a rec center.”
For intern Cameron, this jobsite opportunity meant gaining vocational experience with the Montgomery County Government’s Department of Health and Human Services. Cameron helped organize and digitize years of Autism Waiver files and supported visiting clients. “I love learning new skills that will help me reach my life and employment goals,” he said. “I’m a hard worker and I get along with others. I want to turn this experience into a career.”
Other interns made their mark in a wide range of roles:
- Hunter cared for animals at the Office of Animal Services by preparing clean bedding and comfort items
- Vicky supported event planning and legal document organization with Montgomery Parks
- Addis conducted historical research with the Montgomery Parks Cultural Resources team, helping to identify unmarked graves of African Americans
- Connor maintained a greenhouse at Montgomery College and packaged materials for the Workforce Access Office while learning to navigate public transportation independently
The Class of 2025 leaves Project SEARCH with new skills, confidence, and professional goals. Their journeys are a testament to what’s possible when young adults with developmental disabilities are given the opportunity to thrive in inclusive, supportive workplaces.
Congratulations to the interns, their families, and the dedicated teams who supported them throughout the year.
Learn more and apply for Project SEARCH.
