Transition Program Resumes with A Stellar Student

David Snider’s family was reluctant to send him to Project SEARCH of WNY, a transition program, based at Beechwood Continuing Care skilled nursing facility in Getzville. They are now confident it was the right choice.

“David has blossomed,” said Erin Richeal, David’s teacher from Erie 1 BOCES. “With a team devoted to his success, David is now facilitating his employability meetings, completing tasks with mastery, managing his scheduled lunch and work breaks, dining with peers, locating his mentor ‘on-site’ and most importantly - gaining the skills necessary to apply and maintain a position in the real work world.”

Due to COVID-19, Project SEARCH of WNY was not able to operate within their workplace setting at Beechwood Continuing Care for a year-and-a-half. In the fall of 2021, the transition program was able to resume normal operations. David, a student from Maryvale, was the first student to enroll in the resuming onsite program.

“We want to let parents know that we are back and fall 2022 enrollment is now open until the end of January 2022,” Richeal continued.

Project SEARCH invests in students with special needs who are in their last year of high school, ages 18-21 years old, and teaches entry level skills to obtain competitive employment. Beechwood Continuing Care was recently highlighted in Newsweek as one of the Best Business’ in 2022.

“David is fully supported with accommodations, adaptations and on-the-job coaching. November has brought more responsibilities and independence,” Richeal said.

David began his first rotation in environmental services and operations department with a supplemental hand in dining services. This coming January, he will expand his knowledge to a more refined dining service experience. David works closely with a mentor who imparts their skills and forms a natural comradery working side-by-side. By June, David anticipates applying and interviewing for positions in and around his neighborhood.

“He continues to impress,” Richeal added. “He is our brave Erie 1 BOCES student pioneering our return to Beechwood Homes for Project SEARCH 2021-2022 graduating class.”

Learn more about Project Search of WNY by visiting our Project SEARCH of WNY webpage or calling John Pope at (716) 821-7017.