Project SEARCH - Westfield Center

05/22/2026

It was bittersweet celebrating the Project SEARCH Westfield Class of 2026 as they received their diplomas. After an incredible year of internship experiences and growth, they’re now stepping confidently toward competitive community employment. Surrounded by their support teams including Westfield department teams, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities VRCs, Board of Developmental Disabilities SSAs, and most importantly their parents and district representatives, the interns shared their final thoughts about the year they spent at Westfield.

We couldn’t be prouder of Alex, Areck, Katelyn, and Zack—your hard work and dedication have paid off! We’re so excited to see all the success that lies ahead for each of you in the community.

05/14/2026

We're grateful to the Westfield Abilities Advocates Network for hosting the annual Graduation Open House for the interns. The interns had the ability to socialize with many of the employees with whom they've worked, and share information about their future goals. Thank you, AAN, for all you do for our interns!

05/14/2026

As the Class of 2026 interns approach graduation, they are completing their final projects. One key component of these projects is conducting an informational interview with a professional in a field of interest. We are incredibly grateful to the community members who generously volunteered their time to share valuable insights about their careers.

Alex interviewed Rachel Papay, owner of Grateful Dog Kennels, to learn more about the pet care industry and what it takes to start a business. Zack spoke with Joseph Fago, a professional gamer and game store associate at Level 7 Games, to gain insight into the responsibilities and skills required to work in a game store. Katelyn had the opportunity to interview Morgan Munchick at our very own Metz Pillars shop, where she learned about the daily experiences of being a barista. Finally, Areck interviewed Gary Mundson, owner of The Leasing Advantage, to explore entry-level skill requirements needed within the vehicle industry.

The next step? The interns are starting to search for a competitive community job opportunity! We look forward to sharing their success stories.

Send a message to learn more

05/01/2026

The Mentor Program at Westfield Project SEARCH remains one of the most valuable components of the internship experience. Westfield employees meet regularly with their mentees to discuss internship progress, explore career interests, and offer guidance on life skills. Through these meaningful connections, interns gain insight, confidence, and support that extends far beyond the workplace. The lessons they learn and the relationships they build through mentorship will benefit them for a lifetime.

01/30/2026

Did you know we are launching a newsletter? If you’d like to join the email list to receive regular Project SEARCH updates, please sign up here.

https://forms.office.com/r/km13iS5qQR

11/21/2025

On November 7 the interns completed their first internships, and during the week of November 10 they spent a week in the classroom preparing for their second internships. These workshop weeks are an important part of the Project SEARCH program as interns update their resumes and cover letters, participate in interviews, do more extensive wayfinding to learn how to travel to their new internships, and learn more skills that will help them talk about and deal with the social and financial transitions that will occur for them over the next year.

11/06/2025

As the interns prepare to complete their first internships they were given the opportunity to join the Abilities Advocates Network team to learn how to create fidget quilts. These quilts will be given to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to Charmaine Jones and the entire AAN team for all they do for our interns and the community in which we live.

11/03/2025

Each year the jack-o-lanterns at the annual Westfield Project SEARCH Halloween contest get more creative. Westfield employees had a difficult time choosing their favorite design this year, but in a close race Alex and his scary shark won the contest. Well done, interns. Developing an idea and making it happen is a great job skill!

09/19/2025

Our interns are embraced as full members of their Westfield department teams. Today Alex participated with the Groundskeeping team to plant trees at the new Medina County Park - Rivendell Nature Preserve. Westfield donated 150 trees which Alex helped plant, and the Westfield Insurance Foundation donated funds for the Overlook area. This is just one of many examples of the ways Westfield and its employees give back to our community. It's a beautiful area that all Medina county residents should visit.

09/05/2025

The interns have completed Workshop Week, and have started their first internships. Areck is interning with the Agribusiness team, Katelyn is with the Blair Conference Center team, Alex is working in groundskeeping with both the Golf Maintenance and Grounds teams, and Zack is interning in the Data Analytics department. They're already mastering work skills and meeting new people. The class of 2026 is off to a great start!