Your cart is currently empty!
Have You Heard About KenCrest’s Project SEARCH Program?
KenCrest’s Project SEARCH Program helps young people with disabilities find employment through various training and courses.
Project SEARCH is a nationwide program designed to prepare young people with disabilities to be successful in competitive integrated employment. This year, Project SEARCH is hosted at Phoenixville Hospital where our employment team is supporting Vinny, Lily, Jake, Zach, and Sherry as they gain valuable skills and experience various factors of the workplace.
Vinny
Vinny graduated from Owen J. Roberts High School and is currently enrolled in Project SEARCH held at Phoenixville Hospital this year. Vinny currently works at Big Lots and as he learns new skills and grows within his role, he is most looking forward to getting a raise for his accomplishments and dedication.
Lily
Lily is part of this year’s Project SEARCH program located at Phoenixville Hospital. After graduating from Owen J. Roberts High School, Lily is eager to learn valuable job skills, work in the hospital setting, meet new people, and take on a variety of tasks of her choice.
Jake
Jake graduated from Phoenixville Area School District. He considers Project SEARCH as a stepping stone to help him earn a living and become more independent.
Zach
Zach graduated from Methacton High School before enrolling in this year’s Project SEARCH program. Ready to enter the workforce, Zach is most eager to experience what it is like to be in a job environment, along with the responsibilities and sense of community that comes with it.
Sherry
Sherry graduated from Spring-Ford Area School District before taking advantage of the opportunities available through Project SEARCH. Working within an office space appeals to Sherry and she looks forward to finding a work environment she can thrive.
We wish all Project SEARCH interns past, present, and future luck no matter where their professional endeavors take them!
Meet a few of our KenCrest Project SEARCH job coaches, leaders and interns.
Annecy Joseph
“I like to bring out the best in someone and help them take pride in their work,” says Annecy, KenCrest job coach since February 2017. Annecy interacts with a diverse group of people with disabilities who are seeking employment. With a passion for helping those with disabilities, Annecy has vast experience serving the disability community, including direct care in day programs, quality care, and volunteer work.
“I enjoy making a difference and helping people reach their goals. Of course, I also like the interaction,” says Annecy.
Annecy works one-on-one with individuals to develop job skills, find job placement, assist throughout the hiring process, and provide proper job training. Annecy encourages each person to brainstorm out-of-the-box ways to receive job training based on how they learn, such as creating lists or utilizing apps on their phone. Annecy aims to bring out each of her clients’ skillsets in unique ways.
Being a job coach enables Annecy to help find jobs for people with disabilities and to collaborate with more than just those she supports, but community members. “Every day is a little bit different and I get to work in a lot of community settings. One day is Giant, the next day is a local restaurant.”
Annecy has helped to employ people at SunnyBrook Ballroom, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Plum Creek Creamery.
Thank you, Annecy, for your commitment to putting the people we support first, advocating for their employment success, and empowering neurodiversity!
Josh Kramer
For over a decade, Josh has worked at Speck’s Drive-In, a popular broasted chicken restaurant located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. A small family-owned and operated business since 1953, Josh is truly part of the team and tight-knit dynamic. 
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh was working five days a week. When the coronavirus struck, Josh made the choice to stay home full-time, before returning to his job site in April. Now, Josh works three days a week, allowing him to keep up with his responsibilities and maintain good health.
Josh’s work is fairly routine and includes cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, and parking lot.
“Josh is amazingly well-liked by staff and customers,” says Brian, Community Connection Coach at KenCrest for seven years. “Customers address him by name, talk to him, and tip him for his work. He is an appreciated member of the team.”
Congratulations, Josh, for being a respected and loyal employee to Speck’s Drive-In and for your hard work over the years!
Bill Apter
With over 15 years of experience as a Job Developer, Job Coach, Employment Specialist, and self-proclaimed “Outreach Maven,” Bill Apter is a little over one month new to KenCrest as a Job Developer. Anyone who meets Bill for the first time will quickly see his passion for life, quick wit, love of professional wrestling (you can find out more about this on his Wikipedia page), and heart for helping find jobs for people with disabilities.
“I’ve been in this industry for quite a while,” said Bill. “After a short gap in not doing employment work, I was told about this opening at KenCrest by a mutual friend. I jumped at the chance to get back into helping others with employment, and that’s how I landed here.”
Although he’s still fairly new to KenCrest, Bill’s days are already busy. He’s been meeting with fellow colleagues around the organization, calling people on his caseload, and setting up in-person meetings with the consumers he supports.
“I find that meeting people in person makes it easier to help them find a job,” said Bill. “After you get to know them, it starts the job development juices flowing.”
Bill loves that his work changes people’s lives in a positive way, and that the positivity extends to the lives of the family of each person receiving employment services. Regarding his work specifically at KenCrest, Bill has been impressed with what he’s seen and experienced so far.
“The Employment department at KenCrest is focused and dedicated to the consumer, and they are all around nice people,” remarked Bill. “I’m so happy to be part of the team.”
Tyler Macready
Tyler Macready has worked in the Employment department of KenCrest for 3.5 years. Initially hired as a Job Consultant, Tyler’s title is now Job Developer.
“When I first started at KenCrest, we were all Job Consultants—we all wore a variety of hats—doing everything from searching for jobs for people with disabilities to training them to coaching them through long-term consulting as long as they wanted it,” said Tyler. “Now, we’re more specialized, even though we pitch in wherever needed. As a Job Developer, I focus on helping people with disabilities find jobs.”
For the next 10 months, Tyler will work at the Phoenixville Hospital in Project SEARCH, a national program designed to prepare young people with disabilities to be successful in competitive integrated employment. Tyler has worked with GlaxoSmithKline in the past, but Phoenixville Hospital will be a new partner for him, and he’s looking forward to stepping into a new environment and meeting new people.
Tyler’s typical day revolves around case management—staying in touch with developing job opportunities, following up with employers, monitoring communication channels, going on interviews with people as support, and developing career plans for prospective employment candidates.
“My passion is wanting to give people the fundamental tools to set them up for success in the future…to give them the skills that they can take with them to any job,” said Tyler. “Interacting with others, time management, knowing their responsibilities and getting them accomplished, seeking out other tasks if they finish early, and negotiating more hours if desired are all things that apply to every job. Those are the things I want to help others to learn.”
Interested in learning more about KenCrest’s Employment program? Visit our Employment page!
RELATED: Check Out These National Disability Employment Month Job Stories