On June 17, seven young adults were honored during a graduation ceremony at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health in White Plains, marking the successful completion of the Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement (PSAE) internship program. Cheered on by proud family members, friends, and program leaders, the graduates celebrated a milestone achievement in their journey toward meaningful employment and independence.
Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement is a highly structured, ten-month internship initiative designed for young adults on the autism spectrum. The program is a collaboration between The Arc Westchester, NEXT for AUTISM, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health, and The Center for Autism and the Developing Bain (CADB), with support from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), ACCES-VR, and the Business Advisory Council.
Through full-time, real-world workplace immersion, the program equips interns with valuable professional and life skills to help them transition successfully into the workforce. This year’s class of seven interns developed competencies in productivity, professionalism, advocacy, and time management. Job development efforts are already underway, and several graduates are actively interviewing for roles.
Each graduate shared a personal reflection during the ceremony, highlighting their growth and experiences throughout the program. Leaders from the partner organizations praised the interns’ hard work, resilience, and readiness to contribute to the professional world.
To learn more about The Arc Westchester, visit their website at http://www.arcwestchester.org.
