Every student deserves the opportunity to find where they belong.
For students in Ingham ISD’s SAIL Transition Program and Spartan Project SEARCH, that journey is taking shape through real-world experience, mentorship, and meaningful work.
For Kahlil, that path began in the SAIL program—where encouragement and support helped him take the next step into Project SEARCH, a program designed to prepare students with disabilities for competitive employment.
Now working in a real job setting, Kahlil is gaining more than just work experience—he’s building confidence.
“I want to see them walk out of here more confident than when they came in,” said Booker Hall, Sparty’s Snack Shop Attendant at Michigan State University, who works closely with students in the program.
That confidence is exactly what programs like SAIL and Project SEARCH are designed to develop.
“We hope that all of our students find their niche,” said Paula Reed-Cross, SAIL Transition Teacher at Ingham ISD. “We are here to help all of our students find where they fit in.”
Through hands-on experiences in real workplaces, students strengthen both job-specific skills and essential life skills—like communication, responsibility, and independence.
And according to employers, those skills are making an impact.
“All employers, all businesses are looking for somebody who will come every day, give 150%, and show up with a positive attitude,” Reed-Cross said. “That’s what you get in this program.”
For employers like Hall, the experience has been just as meaningful.
“I’ve worked with Project SEARCH for a couple of years, and it’s been a great experience,” he said. “It’s rewarding to watch them work. They’re good workers—and they want to work.”
Kahlil’s dedication has already made a lasting impression.
“We want him to come back after he graduates as an employee,” Hall added. “That’s how great he was.”
Programs like Project SEARCH don’t just prepare students for jobs—they help them discover their strengths, build confidence, and take meaningful steps toward independence.
Because sometimes, all it takes is the right opportunity—and someone who believes in you—to change what’s possible.
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