Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network's Project SEARCH program held its graduation ceremony recently at Cedarbrook Nursing Home, South Whitehall.

Seven Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network interns and eight Lehigh County Cedarbrook Nursing Home interns were honored.

Project SEARCH helps students with various disabilities learn soft skills and self-advocacy skills needed for today's competitive job marketplace.

The nine-month program places the students in various jobs at Good Shepherd's Allentown Campus and at Cedarbrook.

Participants gain real world experience and the skills they need to become valued employees for local businesses and organizations.

Good Shepherd graduates are: Matthew Chorney, of Laurys Station; Eric Bartlett, of Allentown; Rebecca Frey, of Breinigsville; Travis Johnson of Allentown; Tyler Rouston of Allentown; and Christopher Seminara, of Coplay, all of Parkland School District; and Brandon Pasko of Allentown, Allentown School District.

"Project SEARCH is an important program for young adults with disabilities," said Erin Rogers, Good Shepherd's Project SEARCH instructor, CLIU 21. "I see so much growth in our students throughout the year. They develop their communication skills, sense of responsibility and independence. Our students demonstrate a drive to constantly better themselves."

Employees provided training and mentoring to the interns in such areas as inpatient and outpatient therapy, maintenance, housekeeping, laundry, security and food services.

"Mentors are the driving force behind the success of the program," Rogers said. "They put the pieces of the puzzle together and guide the students to their success."

Good Shepherd was the first Project SEARCH site in Pennsylvania. The program, originated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1997, is a partnership between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Lehigh County and the Office of Intellectual Disabilities, Lehigh County.