Meet Julian

You may remember Julian, a ProjectSEARCH intern from Hilton Altamonte Springs who was hired at Red Apple Dining shortly after graduation, and whose story was featured in 2021. Lara, Magnify’s Project SEARCH manager, says, “Julian really grew during his internship and was awarded Intern of the Year at his graduation. He was always eager to learn and help.”

So where is Julian now?

Julian is in his second year of employment at Red Apple Dining where he has found a supportive and inclusive environment. He preps food, washes fruit, fills trays with food items, cleans, and takes out the trash.  According to his stepfather Todd, “His manager, Carmen, ensures that tasks are appropriate for his skills and that the job provides him with a real sense of belonging, and the feeling of being a productive member of society. He is more confident and has learned to better adapt to sudden changes in the workplace.” Carmen agrees that he has become more confident in the role he plays and the tasks he performs by knowing what he needs to do daily. He works independently and in a timely manner, and is always eager to learn new things.

Carmen explains that “Julian is an overall pleasure to have as a Team Member here at Red Bug and as part of our Red Apple Dining family. He makes us smile and laugh every day and quite honestly; I couldn’t imagine what it would be like without him as part of my staff.” Julian loves getting ready for work and gets so excited to see the Lynx bus pull up every morning to pick him up for his shift.  He also loves all the fun social aspects of employment including lunch with colleagues, celebrating holidays together, and even themed dress-up days.  According to Julian, "He loves his job, and it’s fun!"

About Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a one-year, school-to-work program for young people in high school with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ages 18-21). The program is a total emergence from the classroom to the workplace. It is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace, serving young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their last year of high school.  Project SEARCH combines real-life work experience with training in employability and independent living skills helping young people with significant disabilities make successful transitions to productive adult life.