Project SEARCH 2024 cohort

From right to left: Joey Borja, Kelli Kobs, Mikayla Mingay, Miyoko Gorges

On Friday, September 20th, Joey Borja and Mikayla Mingay graduated from the Project SEARCH internship program after nine months of acquiring valuable job skills at Friendsview Retirement Community in Newberg.

While Project SEARCH has impacted Joey and Mikayla’s futures in the workforce, its influence has also resonated throughout the Friendsview community.

Project SEARCH is an internship program where MVA partners with Friendsview Retirement Community to provide employability training across various vocations and environments. Interns spend nine months rotating through three different departments at Friendsview to develop diverse job skills and explore career paths.

Throughout their nine months, Joey and Mikayla learned and worked alongside Friendsview employees and residents. Joey contributed in the dining department, the health center dining department, and the maintenance department, while Mikayla contributed in the laundry department, health center dining department, and therapeutic recreation department.

Each department is now filled with countless stories and experiences featuring Joey and Mikayla.

“Joey brought so much energy to the team,” said Nora Labra, Host and Lead Staff in Friendsview’s Dining Department. “When he walked in and said good morning, it set a happy tone for the day.”

As Joey’s manager at the resident cafeteria, Nora had never worked with someone with disabilities before and was unsure what to expect. However, any uncertainty quickly vanished.

“I was thrilled to learn he spoke Spanish,” Nora shared. “We bonded over that immediately, and sometimes a coworker and I would start singing in Spanish, and Joey would join in with dancing and laughter.”

Mikayla also formed strong connections in the housekeeping department. Grace Crawford, who has been with Friendsview for over a year, was responsible for training Mikayla.

“At first, she was very quiet and did everything timidly,” Grace recalled. “But as we developed a routine and she became familiar with the team, she really found her stride.”

Mikayla experienced significant professional growth during the program. The shy, reserved Mikayla transformed into a more outgoing individual, largely thanks to her interactions with residents.

“Everyone says hi to everyone, that’s just what we do here, and Mikayla loved saying hi and engaging with the residents,” Grace noted.

At the Project SEARCH graduation ceremony, Nora, Grace, and many others from the Friendsview community celebrated Joey and Mikayla’s achievements. It was inspiring to witness the impact these two interns made on an entire community.

Joey discovered a passion for food services, particularly for making coffee, and aspires to work as a barista, drawing on the skills he gained through Project SEARCH.

Mikayla found her calling in the therapeutic recreation department, which organizes activities for Friendsview residents. After graduating, she applied for a full-time paid position in the department.

Project SEARCH is currently accepting applications for the 2025 cohort. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming an intern, please reach out to Kelli Kobs at [email protected].