LAURA TAPIA-GUERRERO, a Project Search intern, smiles after receiving her certificate of completion from the program during Friday's graduation. "I learned that I can do a lot of stuff by my own self," she said. "When I get a job I know how to do stuff that I learned here."

TYLER ISD | PROJECT SEARCH

Natalie Flores is walking straight from graduation into a job she already has experience doing as a result of Tyler ISD’s Project Search, a program helping special education students get experience to gain employment.

The program is a partnership with Christus Trinity Mother Frances, which places TISD special education students in internships throughout the hospital, helping them learn valuable skills to propel them toward a job and independence.

The district and hospital came together to celebrate its third class of graduates on Friday. Half of the 10 interns already had found employment, three of them at the hospital.

“I learned that I can do a lot of stuff by my own self,” Laura Tapia-Guerrero said. “When I get a job I know how to do stuff that I learned here.”

Tapia-Guerrero said she hopes to continue working in an office and has been busy applying for jobs.

Coordinator Katie Devine said the goal of the program is to help students build skills and learn independence. Many past graduates are gainfully employed and some are even living on their own.