Project Search - St. Clair County

02/05/2026

Here we go! Our Project SEARCH interns are rolling out for The Arc of Shelby County’s Leadership & Self-Advocacy Summit. We’re ready to learn, grow, and become even stronger self-advocates.

They’re adding new skills to their pre-employment toolkit and bringing so much energy and determination along for the ride. So proud of this crew!

12/16/2025

Applications are NOW OPEN for Project SEARCH St. Clair County 2026–2027!

Are you (or is someone you know) a high school senior with an IEP, aged 18–21, looking for real job skills and a pathway to competitive employment?

Our proven one-year program at the Col. Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City gives students:

✅ 900+ hours of hands-on training in real departments
✅ 3 internship rotations (dietary, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, admin, activities & more)
✅Daily job coaching and employment planning
✅Amazing track record—most graduates get hired!

Spots are limited!! Apply by February 15, 2026.
Apply online: https://forms.office.com/r/9iMWyC7RaM
(Printable copies available by request or through your school/VR Counselor!)

Questions? Contact Jim Mathis at [email protected] / (205) 642-8067 OR message our page directly!

Share with families, teachers, and counselors who need to know!

11/20/2025

We were honored to be featured at the Pell City Chamber of Commerce Business Builder’s Breakfast sponsored by Strides Media Group! A huge thank you to the Chamber for the warm welcome and to every business leader who came out ready to learn how Project SEARCH is changing lives through real employment for young adults with disabilities.

If your business is looking for eager, supported, and talented team members, let’s talk!

10/09/2025

In celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Project SEARCH - St. Clair County joins the nationwide effort to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the contributions people with disabilities make to workplaces and communities every day. Inclusion is an ongoing commitment to equal opportunities and the unique value and talent individuals with disabilities bring to our economy.

We support young adults with disabilities in building skills, confidence, and career pathways through hands-on internships in diverse workplaces.

Learn more about our program and how it facilitates transitions to competitive, integrated employment at linktr.ee/searchstclair OR come to one of our upcoming school visits!

10/07/2025

We are starting school visits this week! Our first stops will be Moody High School and St. Clair County High School this Friday!

Other SCCS visit dates can be found below. Join us at your high school to hear from current Project SEARCH interns and learn about our program, which empowers young adults with disabilities through job training and workplace experience! Discover eligibility requirements and how Project SEARCH can help you build skills for a successful career. Parent/Guardians of students pursuing the Essentials or AAS diploma are invited and encouraged to attend with their child!

09/15/2025

08/08/2025

Today, we worked on communication and team building by guiding each other through a minefield blindfolded! Interns learned to ask clarifying questions and how everyone may understand instructions differently.

We also went over DONNING and DOFFING our PPE to the VA standard in preparation for our upcoming “check-offs.” Each intern will have to fully demonstrate proper donning, doffing, and hand hygiene procedures to the VA staff before we begin internship rotations.

Everyone is doing a great job so far!💙🤍

06/30/2025

🌟 Congratulations to St. Clair County’s own Porter, Derrek and Kim Oldham – 2025 AL-APSE Family of the Year! 🌟

We are thrilled to celebrate Kim and Derrek Oldham, parents of our amazing Project SEARCH intern, Porter Oldham, for receiving the prestigious Family of the Year Award at the 2025 AL-APSE Conference in Mobile, AL! Their unwavering positivity, tireless advocacy, and dedication to fostering Porter’s independence have truly made a difference. From attending every employment planning meeting to cheering Porter’s successes on social media, the Oldhams embody the spirit of inclusion and empowerment that Project SEARCH stands for.

Despite the challenges Porter faced at birth, Kim and Derrek’s love and support have helped him soar beyond expectations, thriving as an intern and inspiring us all! 🎉

Thank you, Kim and Derrek, for being role models for our community and showing the power of family in building bright futures. We’re so proud to have you in the Project SEARCH - St. Clair County family! 💙

05/22/2025

We’re thrilled to celebrate one of our recent Project SEARCH alumni, Porter O., who showed up and showed OUT for an interview yesterday! 👏🏻

At Project SEARCH, we work closely with our participants throughout the year, guiding them through every step of their job search journey. Our goal isn’t just to place someone in the first job that comes along, but to help them find a career that truly aligns with their skills, passions, and long-term employment goals.

The job search process can take time, often involving multiple interviews and offers, and that’s okay! We’re dedicated to supporting our graduates in finding the right fit, not just the quickest one. We’re so proud of the hard work and determination our participants show as they navigate this journey, and we’re excited to see where their paths lead next! Stay tuned to see where Porter, and our remaining Class of 2025, decide to begin their careers! 💼

05/19/2025

Happy Monday! Here are some more highlights from the Graduation Ceremony last Thursday:

Thank you again to all the friends, families, and supporters of these Graduates for helping make this year so great!

05/17/2025

Please join us in congratulating our FIRST HIRE from the Class of 2025! Caleb had an awesome interview and has accepted a position with GameStop! Throughout the program, Caleb’s employment goal was to “work in the gaming industry.” Now, just two days after graduation, he has begun that journey! Congratulations, Caleb!! We are so proud of you!! 🥳🎉

05/15/2025

Here is the link to the 2025 Graduation Video:

https://youtu.be/Q_sHJmqbyzs?si=FU6jd5McgpzA6Guk

We will post more from the ceremony tomorrow… Today, we celebrate! 😁🎉