Javier Wimtli

Javier is a recent graduate of CIL’s Project Search program, having completed the program in May of this year. Project Search is a program that helps young adults get on the job training with one of CIL’s partner organizations. Javier spent his time in the program working with Lakeland Regional Health. While there, Javier worked in the storeroom, catering, and the GI departments. In each of these departments he learned communication skills, organizational skills, and got hands-on experience helping patients.

CIL’s goal is to help our consumers live independent lives. The Project Search program is one of the many ways we attempt to accomplish this. When we asked Javier what living independently means to him, he said, “Living independently is the most important, that you always have to stay confident, stay focused, stay on track, be successful, stay on task.” Javier sees independent living as being successful, and capable of committing to your goals. CIL and the Project Search program helped give Javier goals to strive towards and a chance to learn about new types of work that might interest him.

Now that Javier has graduated from the Project Search program, he has already started looking for new jobs and has recently secured an interview. Even after graduating from the program, he will continue to work with one of CIL’s Transition Employment Specialists to find the best job for him. Working with CIL has given Javier opportunities to explore his interests and develop new skills. As Javier explains, “I learned from Center of Independent Living, how to get an independent job that I want to work.”