Anxiously awaiting the first paycheck from his new job, Jordan Hawkins already knows what he’s going to do with the money.
“I’m going to save it,” said the outgoing 21-year-old, who is working as a courtesy clerk at the Hartley Bridge Road Kroger in Macon and, clearly, paid close attention during his financial literacy classes in the Project SEARCH program, a partnership between the Bibb County School District and Middle Georgia State University (MGA).
His three Project SEARCH classmates also have jobs lined up as they get ready to graduate from the program on May 19. A national program adopted by the school district several years ago, Project SEARCH helps developmentally challenged young adults gain employable skills.
The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2022 will take place at MGA’s Macon Campus, where Project SEARCH participants intern in various departments throughout the fall and spring to learn work skills and habits.
“We’re very proud of all of them,” said Kim Soles, one of the Project SEARCH program’s two Bibb County instructors. “They’re hard workers.”
![[3:58 PM] Smith, Sheron K. Project SEARCH Class of 2022, along with the program's instructors. L-R are Kim Soles, instructor; Brea Carswell, Jordan Hawkins, Trey Solomon, Jennifer Wright, instructor; and Jordan Brown.](../images/MicrosoftTeams-image1.png)