West-MEC workforce program helps disabled students transition to employment and independence

By Stacy Mantle
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Uncertainty used to define what came next for Angel Martinez and his younger brother, Juan Rodriguez.

Group homes, constant transitions and unanswered questions about their future made stability feel out of reach.

Now, that trajectory is changing. A workforce training program called Project SEARCH is helping students with disabilities move beyond uncertainty and into stable careers — and, in one case, helping two brothers build a life together.

From uncertainty to independence

Martinez completed his internship at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Conference Center, one of two primary host sites for West-MEC’s program, alongside Luke Air Force Base.

The program places interns directly into workplace environments, where they rotate through multiple departments while developing both technical and transferable skills.

At the Renaissance, interns gain experience in areas such as the hotel coffee shop, laundry services and kitchen operations. These rotations are designed to help participants identify strengths, explore career interests and build confidence in professional settings while learning communication, self-advocacy and workplace expectations.

A pathway to independent living

For Martinez, the experience became a turning point...

“I didn’t think I’d be where I am now when I first started Project SEARCH," Martinez said. "This program gave me structure, but more importantly, it gave me confidence that I could build something for myself.”

Throughout his internship, Martinez earned a reputation as a reliable and supportive team member — consistently stepping in to help coworkers and engage with guests. His performance led to a full-time position with benefits at the hotel’s coffee shop, Kava, marking a critical milestone: stable employment.

The job also created an unexpected opportunity. When Martinez turned 20, he was expected to move into a separate group home, away from his brother. Instead, his income allowed him to secure an apartment near his workplace — creating a path for the brothers to live together independently.

Support from colleagues helped make that transition possible. Staff members at the Renaissance provided essential household items, reinforcing both practical stability and a sense of community connection.

Now, Rodriguez is following a similar path. He is enrolled in the same Project SEARCH program at the Renaissance, where he has  begun building workplace skills and gaining experience alongside his brother.

“My brother’s experience in Project SEARCH motivated me to get involved, because I saw firsthand how much it changed for him," said Rodriguez. "It gave me hope that I could do the same, and it ended up opening doors I never thought would be there for me."

Job training model delivers high placement rates

While individual stories highlight the program’s impact, West-MEC data suggests broader outcomes.

The program serves a small, "cohort-based" group of interns each year — capped at 22 participants — allowing for individualized support and training. 

For the current program year, 17 interns are enrolled and recruitment is underway for the next cohort, with no waitlist anticipated.

“Our goal is to create real pathways forward," said Shelly Thorne, community and elementary liaison at West-MEC in Arizona. "Watching participants not only complete the program but step into meaningful employment, especially in cases like this, is exactly why we do this work.”

Program leaders say that structure contributes to strong employment outcomes. In addition to hands-on experience, participants receive individualized job placement support, including resume development, mock interviews and job search assistance.

Interns compete for open positions alongside the general public, without hiring incentives for employers.

Unlike many workforce programs, Project SEARCH internships are unpaid, but funding is typically covered through Arizona’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services. In recent years, all West-MEC participants have accessed this funding, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for families.

“We aim to empower individuals with the skills and confidence to create lasting change in their lives," Thorne said. "Testimonials, such as Angel and Juan’s, prove how participants build a foundation for long-term success.”

The program is not limited to West-MEC students. As an adult post-high school program, it accepts participants from across the Valley and is part of a larger international model with more than 800 sites across the United States and several other countries.

Bridging education and workforce needs

Despite strong outcomes, the model relies on employer partnerships and individualized placement — factors that can limit scale but increase effectiveness. Host sites are not required or financially incentivized to hire interns, though some participants are offered positions based on performance and availability.

For Martinez, the program’s impact extended beyond employment. It provided stability, independence and a sense of direction.

“I tell my brother, do what I did, follow in my footsteps,” Martinez said. “People in life don’t care what we’ve been through. We must make change ourselves because things in life can change if you want them to.” 

As Rodriguez continues his internship, Martinez hopes his brother will find his own path forward — one built on the same combination of opportunity, structure and determination.

Programs like Project SEARCH are increasingly part of a broader shift in career and technical education, focusing on direct employer engagement and measurable workforce outcomes.

“This experience showed me that where you start doesn’t have to define where you end up,” said Martinez.

For students who have historically faced barriers to employment, the model offers not just training — but a pathway to long-term independence.

Editor’s note: A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Stacy Mantle
Education Solutions Reporter

smantle@iniusa.org

Meet Stacy
Stacy Mantle is joining the team at Independent Newsmedia, Inc. as an Education Solutions journalist, thanks to a grant from the Arizona Community Collaborative. She has a long history in education that ranges from teaching junior high and middle school to developing curriculum and standards-based assessments.

Community: A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Stacy is deeply involved in rescue efforts and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations.

Random Fact: Once upon a time, she shared her home with a pet coyote and two wolf hybrids. The experiences were wild enough to become the subject of her first book!

Education: She holds a BA in English with a minor in Political Science, a Post-baccalaureate in Secondary Education, and an MBA with a emphasis on Marketing.

Hobbies: In her spare time, Stacy writes fast-paced urban fantasy novels, crafts small-batch artisan soap, and is always up for hiking or off-roading through the Arizona wilderness with her husband of 23 years.