Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital welcomed three new interns in October as part of Project SEARCH, a work-transition program for young adults with disabilities.

The program launched in 2016.

Cherry Hill resident Leanexie Gonzalez is among the new class, along with George Sanchez of Camden and Joshua Jackson of Willingboro, according to southjersey.media. The three will rotate through hospital departments including Patient Transport, Food and Nutrition, Storeroom, Environmental Services and Pharmacy, building job-readiness skills. Some past participants have gone on to land jobs at Jefferson Health after completing the program.

Jefferson Health introduced Project SEARCH at its Cherry Hill location and expanded to Jefferson Stratford Hospital in 2021 and Jefferson Washington Township Hospital in 2022. Across all three South Jersey hospitals, 12 new interns started this year.

The 10-year milestone falls during October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Jenny Breunig, vice president of operations at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital, said the program's impact shows up at graduation each year. "Every graduation, parents thank us for the opportunity and share how their young adult has grown," Breunig said.

The program runs through a partnership among Jefferson Health, Project SEARCH, Y.A.L.E. School, Y.A.L.E. Clinic, Gloucester County Special Services School District, Bankbridge Regional School, New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities and Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern New Jersey. Jewish Family and Children's Service is based at 1301 Springdale Road in Cherry Hill.